What happened on 20th June 1887?
On 20th June 1887, Queen Victoria celebrated her Golden Jubilee, having been monarch of Great Britain for 50 years. At that time, she became the 2nd longest serving monarch only to her grandfather George III, and the longest serving female monarch.
During Victoria’s long reign there were significant change across all aspects of life and the nation became wealthy from the expanding British Empire which by the end 19th century, became the largest in history.
Queen Victoria ruled Great Britain and the British Empire for the majority of the 19th century, and as such the period became known as the Victorian era. During this time, medallion production soared as developments in industry and transport, as well as science and the arts were commemorated.
Political commemoration became more common as parliamentary reform took hold. There was also great expansion in the British empire and towards the end of the century, it became the number one global power.
In 1861 the Queen is widowed at a young age and her subsequent seclusion from public life has a detrimental effect on her popularity.
Following the early death of her husband, Prince Albert at age 42, Queen Victoria went into a deep state of mourning and wore black for the rest of her life.
She became reclusive through the 1860’s and her popularity severely waned. Nearly 10 years after her husband’s death from typhoid fever, her eldest son Edward, Prince of Wales contracted the same disease and was seriously ill.
On his eventual recovery, which was also commemorated by a number of medals in 1872, the Queen alongside the Prince of Wales (future Edward VII) attended a public parade through the city of London and public sentiment towards her and the monarchy improved.
The country celebrates the Queen’s long reign with various festivities.
As her popularity recovered through the 1870’s and 1880’s, the Golden Jubilee was seen as an event where the public could celebrate. For the monarchy, a huge banquet was organised at Buckingham Palace where 50 European Kings and Princes attended and the following day a service of thanksgiving was held, attended by the Queen at Westminster Abbey. The jubilee was also celebrated by the country in local towns and villages where unofficial jubilee medallions were issued and worn on the day.
Jubilee Medals
Commemorative Medallions were issued in great numbers to mark the Golden Jubilee Event.
There were many official and unofficial medals designed and distributed to mark the Golden Jubilee. Over 100 localities around Britain issued medals for the occasion in white metal, with a hole in the top so that a ribbon could be threaded through and worn on the day of celebration. The medals detailed below are all official Jubilee medals. The first by Boehm and Leighton is the one that the Queen commanded to be issued in the year prior to the Jubilee.
Golden Jubilee by J Boehm and F Leighton – the Official Golden Jubilee medal.
In November 1886 Queen Victoria commanded that an official medal be struck to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of her reign. The artists involved in the medal design were J E Boehm who engraved the obverse and Sir Frederick Leighton who completed the reverse. The gold and silver medallions were struck at the Royal Mint. The bronze specimens were struck in Birmingham. There were 7490 medals produced of which 944 were gold, 2289 silver and 4257 in bronze.
Discover our related product: 1887 Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria Historical Medallion by J E Boehm/F Leighton
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Art Union Jubilee by A Gilbert (Silver and Bronze)
The Art Union Jubilee medal by A Gilbert was the last in The Art Union series. The series was a collection of 30 medals celebrating prominent British artists and architects over the previous 200 years. The Jubilee medal, number 30, was left unsigned by Gilbert as he wanted the piece to be more about the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria rather than him as an artist. There were 60 silver and 80 bronze specimens issued. My collection has one in silver and one in bronze, both of which are rare.
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1887 Art Union Jubilee Medal - Victoria Historical Medallion by A Gilbert Silver
1887 Art Union Jubilee Medal - Victoria Historical Medallion by A Gilbert Bronze
Discover our related collection: Coronation and Jubilee Medals
City of London Victoria Jubilee by A Scharff (Bronze)
The Corporation of London issued this Golden Jubilee medallion in bronze in 1887 to form part of the City of London series. The series of 30 medallions was issued to celebrate important occasions where London buildings were opened, and when foreign royalty visited the capital. This medallion only comes in Bronze and 450 were struck.
Discover our related product: 1887 City of London Victoria Jubilee Historical Medallion by A Scharff
Discover our related collection: Coronation and Jubilee Medals
Golden Jubilee, The Queen’s Medal by A Kirkwood & Sons
This silver medallion was designed to be awarded to the top student of each Scottish school in 1887 as well as commemorate the Golden Jubilee. The idea was put to the Queen who suggested it should be referred to as The Queen’s medal. This particular piece was awarded to Jane Gibson, who, that year was Dux at Dunoon School.
Discover our related product: 1887 Golden Jubilee - The Queens Medal by A Kirkwood & Sons
Discover our related collection: Coronation and Jubilee Medals