BHM3226  wt 28.85g  39 mm Edge plain.  Medal struck in gold issued by the Imperial Institute for the Victoria’s golden jubilee in 1887.  British  Historical Medals Vol II” lists the gold example as “possibly unique”. However, one cataloguer believes that there is one medal in gold known in private hands and one more that might be in the royal collection. In May 2025, a Sincona auction of a fabulous collection of British medals featured the one known example in private hands. That example was not conserved and suffered from dull surfaces and was hairlined with multiple contact marks in the fields and on the portrait.  It was graded extremely fine and still sold for over $12800.00 (including buyers fee) If the cataloguers are correct in believing that there are only two medals in gold, then the example offered here might be the one thought to be in the royal collection. It is a dazzling piece and was obviously carefully curated over the years.

Obverse: veiled, crowned and laureate bust of the queen, facing left wearing necklace and Garter Star. Legend around: ‘VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX’. J.P. initials on shoulder for John Pinches medalists, designed by Thomas Brock. Reverse: exterior of a grand building, pennant curving around and behind reading ‘THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE / 1887 / TO COMMEMORATE THE JUBILEE OF VICTORIA E. ET I.’. Below: ALBERT EDWARD P. / PRESIDENT’.  Indian Exhibition. The building depicted on the medal that the Institute occupied was located on Exhibition Row in South Kensington and now forms part of Imperial College, London.  Rather harshly graded by NGC, the example offered here for sale only exhibits a few light scattered hairlines in the mirrored fields. The portrait is an immaculate cameo that is heavily frosted.  Bought from a Dix Noonan and Webb sale April 9th 1997, lot 681. NGC MS63

NGC 2867791-001