Medal - Victoria Stephenson Medal; gold ND

Reverse

0-4-0 Locomotive engine No.2 built by George Stephenson 1816.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
LOCOMOTIVE ENGINE BUILT BY GEORGE STEPHENSON 1816
No 2
J.S.& A.B. WYON

Engravers: Joseph Shepherd Wyon, Alfred Benjamin Wyon

Comment

The Wyon family was lauded in England for its talented coin and metal engraving. The family business existed from the mid-18th century to the late 19th century. Peter George (II) Wyon apparently came from Cologne, Germany, in the early 18th century. His grandsons, Thomas (I) and Peter, became distinguished medallists and engravers of dies for coinage. Thomas' son Benjamin and grandsons Joseph Shepherd and Alfred Benjamin all became medallists.
Joseph Shepherd Wyon (1836-1873) studied in the schools of the Royal Academy, where he was an outstanding pupil. In 1858 he was appointed Chief Engraver of the Seals, succeeding his father. Some of his medals were made in collaboration with his brother Alfred Benjamin, including some for the Corporation of the City of London.
Alfred Benjamin Wyon (1837-1884) learned the art of die engraving under his father and was a student in the School of Painting at the Royal Academy. He became Chief Engraver of the Seals in 1873, a post he retained until his death. He attained great eminence as an engraver and medallist.
Medal struck around 1880 and awarded annually.