Prince Albert, President of the Royal Commission for the Great Exhibition

This bronze medal, featuring Prince Albert, President of the Royal Commission for the Great Exhibition, is a testament to the artistic skill of William Wyon, who served as the chief engraver at the Royal Mint from 1828 until his death in 1851. Wyon, known for his prodigious output and Neoclassicist style influenced by John Flaxman, created a series of important medallic works throughout his career. This piece, produced in the year of his passing, is particularly significant as it commemorates the Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace, a monumental event of Victorian Britain. Wyon's designs for the prize, juror, and other medals for this exhibition are among his notable achievements, solidifying his reputation as a master of numismatic art. His ability to capture lifelike portraits, as seen here in the depiction of Prince Albert, made him a highly sought-after artist for coinage and medals of the era.