Ancient, British and World Coins, Tokens, Tickets and Passes, Historical and Art Medals, Numismatic Books and Banknotes. Includes the Ellen Judson Collection of British Tokens (Part II)

Victoria (1837-1901), Dr John and Mrs Marie Emma Gray, 1863, bronze medals (2), by G.G. Adams, conjoined busts right, rev. trust in the lord and do good within wreath, both 57mm [2] (BHM 2787). Nearly extremely fine; sold with a 3-page ALS from the artist relating to the medal, dated 1887 (£60-80)

John Edward Gray (1800-75) naturalist, Keeper of the Zoological department in the British Museum, 1840-74, also owned a considerable zoological collection.

The accompanying 3 page ALS to G.G. Adams, dated 25 March 1887, is from George Anderson of the Royal Mint, Melbourne, Victoria; Adams’ draft reply on the last page reveals that Gray approached Adams and commissioned the medal from him in 1862, “as he [Gray] preferred handing down a medal to that of a marble bust”