Coins, Tokens and Historical Medals

Edward Rigg, 1903, a bronze electrotype plaque by G.W. de Saulles, 110 x 90mm (BM Acq. 1978-82, pl. 72, 10; BDM –); FRANCE, Ouverture de Nouveau Port de Calais, 1889, a bronze medal by L.A. Bottée, 72mm (PBE 8; ANS Exh. Cat. 1910, p.18, 29; BDM I, 230); Société aux Jambons Français (Fondéé 1906), a light bronze award plaque by S. Grun, un-named, 63 x 47mm; Navigation Aérienne, 1909, a bronze award plaque by P.-A. Morlon, un-named, 81 x 58mm (PBE 610; CGMP p.272; BM Acq. 1983-7, p.44, 296; BDM VIII, 78); Charles Buizard, 1932, an Art Déco bronze medal by P. Turin, 72mm (BM Acq. 1978-82, pl.61, 136; cf. DNW 66, 1548); Tricentenaire de la Réunion de l’Alsace à la France, 1939, a bronze medal by P. Turin [struck 1942], 68mm (CGMP p.377; cf. DNW 53, 1214); Chambre de Commerce de Boulogne-sur-Mer, 1956, a bronze medal by M. Baduel and R. Corbin, 51mm [7]. First two and last extremely fine, others very fine and better £180-220

Sir Edward Rigg, CB, CVO, ISO (1850-1933), b. Chester; educ. Chester College and Queen’s College, Oxford; assistant assayer at the Royal Mint, June 1873 to 1889; chief clerk, 1889-98; superintendent of the Operative Dept, 1898-1918. In 1902, following the death of the Mint’s deputy master, Horace Seymour, Rigg temporarily took charge before the appointment to the post of William Ellison-Macartney. Under Rigg’s guidance as superintendent the already rapid pace of change in the Royal Mint increased, and he oversaw the completion of the transition from steam to electricity, alongside a significant increase in overall Mint output. His achievements were recognised by several honours including a knighthood in 1915. Upon retirement he lived in Ramsgate