Some notes on Victoriana, The Victorian coinage portraits etc 1837 - 1901
The 19thC 'Victorian' era was a golden age of craftsmanship design & inovation, resulting in the creation of many beautiful & collectable objects which are still to be found (& used) today & which form such an important portion of the modern antique dealers stock.
The victorians were prolific engravers, publishers, binders, medalists, archictects, engineers etc. Victorian art, furniture etc is world renowned. The Arts & Crafts movement - (Aesthetic movement) was led by people such as William Morris & Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Victorian newspapers such as the 'Illustrated London News' published superb copper engravings in the era before newspaper photography..
Victoria's Reign also produced the world's first
self adhesive postage stamp -
Queen.Victoria herself was born at Kensington Palace,
London, on 24 May 1819. She was the only daughter
of Edward, Duke of Kent, fourth son of George III.
Her father died shortly after her birth and
she became heir to the throne because the three
uncles who were ahead of her in succession -
George IV, Frederick Duke of York, and William IV -
had no legitimate children who survived. Victoria
Reigned for sixty-fours years
Due to such a long reign it was nessessary to
United Kingdom coinage on four occasions,
The beautiful Young Head (pictured right)
introduced in 1847 for the Rare crown pieces & florins.
The 'Bun' head issue introduced in 1860 - 1894, used for the bronze coinage (penny, halfpenny & farthing issues)
The 1887-1892 'Jubilee' (Golden Jubilee) used for the Gold & silver coinage. Finally
Numerous other colonial numismatic portraits were also used, An example is the portrait (below centre picture) which was used for the 1869 Jamaica Penny. Below Left India One Rupee
.
Victorian Medalists & Die-Engravers
William Wyon, (W.W.)
(1795 –1851), was official chief engraver at the Royal Mint from 1828 until his death. He was responsible
for some of the most beautiful coin & medal designs of the 19thC including the 'Una & The Lion' Gold Five Pounds
dated MDCCCXXXIX (1839)
Leonard Charles Wyon (L.C.W.)
(1826-1891), Die-engraver and medallist, designed the beautiful (1860 - 1894) 'Bun' head coinage of Victoria
Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm (J.E.B.)
(1834-1890) was a sculptor, designed the 1887-1892 'Jubilee portrait of Queen Victoria on Gold, & Silver United Kingdom coinage.
Sir Thomas Brock (T.B.)
(1847 - 1922) British sculptor & engraver. Designed the veiled or widow head used on Gold & Silver coins from 1893 onwards & bronze coins from 1895 - 1901
For additional reference on this subject visit The Victorian Penny website.
