Ancient, British and World Coins and Banknotes

Great Exhibition, 1851, Services medal, in bronze, by W. Wyon, similar, edge named (Col: The Honble. C.B. Phipps), 48mm (Allen 50; BHM 2465; E 1461; cf. DNW 45, 620-6). Minor rim nicks, about very fine, in fitted case [broken]; of considerable royal interest (£80-100)

Sir Charles Beaumont Phipps, KCB (1801-66); b. Mulgrave Castle, Yorkshire; educ. Harrow; Ensign and Lt in Scots Fusilier Guards, 17 August 1820; Capt. 12 October 1826; secretary to his elder brother Constantine, 1st Marquis of Normanby, when Governor of Jamaica, 1832-4, and in that capacity toured the plantations announcing freedom for the slaves; Lt-Col 26 May 1837; appointed equerry to Queen Victoria, 1 August 1846, then private secretary and treasurer to Prince Albert, 1 January 1847; personally chosen by Prince Albert as keeper of Her Majesty’s Privy Purse and treasurer to the Prince of Wales, 10 October 1849; tutor to Edward, Prince of Wales; lead pallbearer at the funeral of Prince Albert, 23 December 1861; receiver-general of the duchy of Cornwall, 26 May 1862; steward of Scotland, 8 February 1864; died of bronchitis at St James’s Palace, 24 February 1866, and is buried at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. Sold with further biographical and background details