Historical and Art Medals

The Duke of Leinster’s Agricultural Prize, a silver-gilt award medal, unsigned [by Mossop], farm animals in country setting, engraved (Carton, March 12th 1828), rev. wreath, engraved (to the Employer of the Best Ploughman), 50mm. Good very fine, attractive and rare (£80-100)

Illustrated on the Plates. This early type of agricultural prize medal is a typical gift by progressive landlords to the employees of their most enterprising tenants. Carton House, Maynooth, co Kildare, was then the seat of Augustus Frederick, 3rd Duke of Leinster and 22nd Earl of Kildare (1791-1874). The Duke retained a lifelong interest in agricultural improvement and was appointed president of the Royal Agricultural Improvement Society of Ireland in 1841