Coins, Paper Money, Tokens and Historical Medals

JAMAICA, International Exhibition, 1891, a gold medal by L.C. Wyon, coronetted and veiled bust of Victoria left, rev. legend in wreath, 45mm, 44.36g (BDM VI, 630; cf. DNW 127, 3260). Several scuffs and obverse rim nicks, otherwise about very fine, of the highest rarity in gold £1,500-2,000

The exhibition was the brainchild of a native Jamaican, A.C. Sinclair, and was said to be ‘the most extraordinary commercial event in the history of the Gulf of Mexico and the West Indies’. It was opened on 27 January 1891 by 25-year old Prince George (later George V). By the time it closed on 2 May it had received a total of 302,831 visitors. Despite its popularity, the exhibition failed to pay its way and lost some £4,500