Important British and World Coins, Tokens, Historial and Art Medals, Numismatic Books and Banknotes

George IV (1820-1830), Geological Society of London, Wollaston Medal, 1828, in gold, by W. Wyon, bust of William Wollaston left, rev. legend in wreath, named (Wilfred Hudleston Hudleston, 1897), 57.55g, 45mm (BHM 1543; E 1203; cf. DNW 53, 1068). Brilliant mint state; in velvet-lined red Wyon case of issue (£600-700)

Wilfred Hudleston Hudleston, formerly Simpson, FRS, JP (1828-1909), b. York; travelled as an ornithologist in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, 1853-60; secretary of the Geological Society, 1886-90, and president, 1892-4; lived at West Holme, Wareham, Dorset. The Wollaston medal, named after its benefactor, William Hyde Wollaston (1766-1828), is the highest award of the Geological Society. The medal is normally given to geologists who have had a significant influence by means of a substantial body of excellent research in either or both ‘pure’ and ‘applied’ aspects of the science. For another medal named to W.H. Hudleston, see lot 1512. Illustration reduced