Ancient, British and World Coins, Tokens and Historical Medals

Victoria (1837-1901), The Freeing of Five Thames Bridges, 1879, a copper medalet, bust of Prince of Wales left, reverse legend, PRESENTED BY H.O. HAMBORG, etc., 22mm (BHM –). Extremely fine and brilliant (£10-15)

Most of the bridges over the River Thames were built by private enterprise and tolls were payable for those people who wished to cross them. The Wandsworth, Putney and Hammersmith bridges had been declared free of tolls in 1878, and this piece was struck to mark the opening of the Albert and Battersea bridges to freepassage by the Prince of Wales on 24 May 1879, making five in all. H.O. Hamborg was a tobacconist at 30 Great Smith Street, Westminster