The Duke of Leinster’s Agricultural Prize, Maynooth, a silver award medal by W. Mossop, farm animals and plough in country setting, engraved (Carton, 2 February 1826), rev. wreath, engraved (To the Employer of the second Best Ploughman), edge impressed (Mullen Maker 68 Dame St), 50mm. Fine, very rare £200-£300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Irish Historical Medals, the Property of a Gentleman.

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Provenance: James Spencer Collection, DNW Auction M5, 17 December 2007, lot 1176.

This early type of agricultural prize medal is a typical gift by progressive landlords to the employees of their most enterprising tenants. Carton House, Maynooth, co Kildare, was then the seat of Augustus Frederick, 3rd Duke of Leinster and 22nd Earl of Kildare (1791-1874). The Duke retained a lifelong interest in agricultural improvement and was appointed president of the Royal Agricultural Improvement Society of Ireland in 1841. A similar medal given by the Duke of Leinster in 1828 was in DNW 68A, lot 1445 (£290)