Coins and Historical Medals

Removal of Temple Bar, 1878, a uniface lead medal by C.H. and J. Mabey for Taylor, Foot and Tebay on behalf of the Corporation of London, frontal elevation of Temple Bar, legend around, 102mm (BHM 3051; E 1658; Taylor 37a). About extremely fine, rare; in ornate glazed copper frame as issued £200-£300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Complete Collection of City of London Medals.

View
Collection

Temple Bar marked the boundary between the Cities of London and Westminster. The post-medieval Bar, probably designed by Sir Christopher Wren, was completed in 1672. By the nineteenth century, no longer used for security, it had become a major impediment to traffic and commerce. By the 1870s, it was in imminent danger of collapse and was removed and replaced by a monument - the Temple Bar Memorial - in 1880. The original Wren structure was reconstructed at Theobalds Park in Hertfordshire. In 2004, it was moved back to the City and now marks the entrance to Paternoster Square next to St Paul’s Cathedral.