Medalet - George III William Shakespeare; silver

Reverse

Legend

Script: Latin

Lettering: JUBILEE AT STRATFORD IN HONOUR AND TO THE MEMORY OF SHAKESPEARE . SEPr 1769 D . G STEWARD

Engraver: J. Westwood

Comment

Brown: Specimens are occasionally found pierced and with a ring for suspension; these are usually copper or bronze gilt. A letter from a gentleman attending the jubilee describes in detail the festivities on p. 423 of the 'Gentleman's Magazine' for 1769 (pp. 421ff.) "my dress consisted of . . ., a silver medal of Shakespeare, pendant from a sky blue ribbon round my neck!" The Initials D. G. on the reverse of the medal are those of David Garrick. There is also a uniface specimen of the obverse in light bronze; it does not appear to have been produced as a double sided medal in this metal.