Medal Martin Folkes

Reverse

Sphinx right, pyramidical tomb of Caius Sestius within the walls of Rome behind, sun in splendour above

Script: Latin

Lettering:
SVA SIDERA NORVNT.
ROMÆ . A . L . s742.

Translation: His own constellations have acknowledged him

Comment

Hawkins: This medal was executed at Rome, and, tradition says, by especial command of the Pope, unknown to Folkes, whom it was intended to surprise during his visit to that city. Freemasonry was originally named "Lux", and is said to have existed from the creation. The date of this medal, supposing the s to be a blunder for 5, is the year of the world or of Masonry 5742. The Masons considered the creation to have been 4000, or 4004 years anterior to the Christian era: the date of the medal may be therefore 1738 or 1742. Either date is inconsistent with the story, as Folkes' visit to Rome took place in 1733. It is much more probable that the medal was struck at Rome to show the high esteem in which Folkes was held in the city of antiquities, and about the time that he was elected a member of the French Academy. There is in the British Museum an early proof of this medal struck before the legends were added or the type of the reverse finished.