Coins and Historical Medals

FRANCE, Fourth International Genetics Congress, Paris, 1911, a light bronze award medal by R. Bénard, bust of Gregor Mendel left, rev. foliage arrangement, named (W. Wilks), 60mm. Extremely fine and rare £60-£80

Gregor Johann Mendel (1822-84) was an Austrian biologist, meteorologist and mathematician. He was born in the Silesian part of the Austrian Empire (today's Czech Republic).
Revd William Wilks (1843-1923) was a notable British horticulturalist and clergyman. He served as secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society from 1888 to 1919 and, as editor of its journal, he was instrumental in getting the work of Gregor Mendel translated and published in English for the first time in 1901.