Service Medal for the Great Exhibition of 1851
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1851
This 'For Services' Medal was presented to individuals and companies in gratitude for services rendered to the Great Exhibition of 1851. This is one of five official medals designed for the Great Exhibition, presented on behalf of Queen Victoria by the Royal Commissioners.
The Service Medal was commissioned at the close of the exhibition from William Wyon (1795-1851), who designed both the obverse (front) and reverse. It is deliberately smaller than the first three Exhibition medal designs intended as prize awards, and the reverse is a simple design without the allegorical figures and Latin inscriptions. The wreath is nevertheless a crisp and intricate design with a classical source. The formal order for the production of the Services and Exhibitors Medals was only issued to William Wyon on 13 October 1851, at the close of the Great Exhibition, for which he was advanced £500.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 2
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Dimensions
- Diameter 47 mm; Depth 7 mm max;
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- London
Identification
- Candidate id
- vam-O1264295
- Museum object number
- 38041800799249
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked single-object source. Wider type attribution and authenticity have not been independently verified.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type and source attribution against specialist references.