Scotland, International Electric Exhibition, Edinburgh, 1890, a silver award medal by Kirkwood & Son, two electrodes divided by a pair of wings and radiating arrows, all in the centre of a magnet, rev. Scotia seated left, holding wheel and palm branch, implements of industry at left, Forth Bridge at right, edge named (Hillman, Herbert & Cooper Ltd, Coventry, Koh-i-Noor Safety Bicycle) and stamped silver, 51mm (BHM 3401; E 1760; Allen Pt 1; Brodie 307). Obverse rim knock at 7 o’clock, otherwise good very fine (£60-80)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Exhibition Medals in Gold and Silver from the Collection of James Spencer.

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Plate 5. Hillman, Herbert and Cooper, bicycle manufacturers, Coventry, were originally established as Hillman & Herbert in 1875. Throughout the 1880s the company was at the forefront of developments that led to the introduction of the ‘safety’ bicycle, but a prediction of 1890 that ‘cycles will eventually be propelled by electricity’ was not fulfilled. The company changed its name to the Premier Cycle Co in 1891