Queen Victoria's Visit to the Corporation of London by William Wyon

Queen Victoria's Visit to the Corporation of London

William Wyon · 1837

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“This silver medal offers a miniature glimpse into a significant historical event: Queen Victoria's first visit to the City of London as monarch. Its detailed engraving captures both her youthful likeness and the pomp of the occasion.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

This small silver medal commemorates Queen Victoria's first official visit to the Corporation of London in 1837, the year she ascended to the throne. On one side, a youthful Victoria is depicted in profile, her hair elegantly styled, gazing to the left. The reverse side features a detailed scene of the Queen seated on a throne, surrounded by allegorical figures and dignitaries, symbolizing the city's welcome and the new monarch's reign. The intricate detail on such a small scale highlights the engraver's skill in capturing both the likeness of the Queen and a complex narrative scene. This piece serves as a tangible link to a pivotal moment in British history, marking the beginning of Victoria's long and transformative rule.

DETAILS
Artist
William Wyon
Date
1837
Medium
Silver
Location
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Dimensions
Diameter: 7/8 in. (23 mm)
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What to Notice

Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Queen Victoria's Visit to the Corporation of London
01

The delicate rendering of Queen Victoria's profile on the obverse.

02

The allegorical figures surrounding Victoria on the reverse.

03

The intricate details of the throne and royal regalia.

04

The tiny scale of the medal, just under an inch in diameter.

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THE ARTIST

William Wyon

1795–1851 · British Empire

William Wyon, Chief Engraver at the Royal Mint, left an indelible mark on British coinage and even the world's first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black.

Read Wyon’s full story
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