Coins and Historical Medals

International Exhibition, South Kensington, 1862, a copper Juror’s medal by D. Maclise and L.C. Wyon, Britannia seated left, surrounded by female figures representing the exhibition categories, lion below, rev. wreath, edge named (Viscount Ranelagh, Juror, Class XI), 77mm (Allen SK-A010; BHM 2747). A few tiny verdigris spots, otherwise extremely fine £100-£120

Thomas Heron Jones, 7th Viscount Ranelagh, KCB (1812-85), was principally known for his involvement in the volunteer movement to recruit amateur soldiers for the defence of Britain in the 1840s, and for his links to glamorous women, notably the Pre-Raphaelite model Annie Miller, fiancée of William Holman Hunt, and the actress Lillie Langtry. Ranelagh was described in the letters of Hunt and his friends as a "notorious rake" because of his womanising. When Hunt learned of the relationship between him and Miller he broke off their engagement, leading to a meeting between Annie and Ranelagh in which he suggested that she should sue Hunt for breach of promise. Ranelagh was also responsible for introducing Lillie Langtry to London high society, and according to her "he completely changed the current of my life", attracting attention from John Everett Millais and, subsequently, Prince Edward