Coins, Paper Money, Tokens and Historical Medals

The Society of Arts Medals awarded in 1824 to Elizabeth Twining, daughter of the tea merchant Richard Twining:

Isis Medal, a silver award by T. Wyon Jr, head of Isis left, rev. wreath, named (To Miss Twining mdcccxxiv for a Copy in Watercolours of an Historical Subject), 40mm (Allan, The Medal 3, 13; D & W 148/363; E 644). Minor hairlines, otherwise brilliant and virtually as struck with sharp rims;

Mercury and Minerva Medal, a silver award by W. Wyon, conjoined heads of Mercury and Minerva left, rev. wreath, named (To Miss Twining mdcccxxiv for a Copy in Watercolours of a Portrait), 52mm (Allan 16; E 647). Brilliant mint state, toned; in contemporary maroon case of issue;

Honorary Silver Pallet, an oval silver award, unsigned, legend in wreath, rev. scroll over brushes, named (To Miss Eliz. Twining mdcccxxiv for a Copy in Watercolours of a Portrait), 55 x 43mm (cf. Baldwin 81, 3245). Brilliant mint state, toned; in contemporary maroon case of issue £300-500

Elizabeth Twining (1805-89), 34 Norfolk street, Strand and later Dial House, Twickenham, won the Society’s large silver medal, the Isis medal and the Society’s silver palette in 1824 at the age of 19. She was one of four daughters of the tea and East India merchant Richard Twining (1749-1824), himself a grandee of the Society. Elizabeth wrote and illustrated a number of books on the drawing of botanical objects, most notably the 2-volume Illustrations of the Natural Order of Plants (1849-55); much of her original artwork is now held by the British Museum. Sold with further information, incorporating a copy portrait painting of the recipient