Ref NoGSL/POR/32
TitleMedal with portrait of Henry Thomas De la Beche
Date[post 1855]
LevelItem
Extent1 item
FormatPortrait
DescriptionBronze medal with portrait of Henry Thomas De la Beche, originally by William Wyon, [after 1855]. Medal was awarded annually by the Royal School of Mines to the best geology student.
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Administrative HistoryThe legacy catalogue record states that the medal was originally struck in 1825, given to the slaves of his late father's Jamaican plantation for good conduct. De la Beche's head was on the obverse, with an image of the plantation on the reverse. After his death, the Royal School of Mines issued a second version, with the plantation replaced with crossed hammers, as a student prize.

However the above does not seem to be correct. The slavery medal showed De la Beche as a younger man, with text on the reverse.
ProvenancePurchased from the House Porter for 4s, 1909.
Access ConditionsAccess is by appointment only. Please contact the Archivist for further information.
ArchNoteDescription by John Thackray, revised by Caroline Lam
CreatorNameWYON | William | 1795-1851 | die-engraver and medallist
Persons
CodePersonNameDates
DS/UK/12BECHE; Sir; Henry Thomas De la (1796-1855); geologist1796-1855
DS/UK/388WYON; William (1795-1851); die-engraver and medallist1795-1851
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