Medallion - London Bridge

Reverse

Central inscription in thirteen lines, the top and bottom lines curved.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
NEW LONDON BRIDGE
THE FIRST STONE WAS LAID BY THE RT. HON - THE LORD MAYOR JOHN GARRATT ESQR ON THE 15 JUNE 1825 AND THE BRIDGE OPEN'D BY THEIR MAJESTIES THE 1ST. AUGST. 1831
COST 506'000 POUNDS

Edge

Plain

Comment

"In order to conclude our description of the bridge, we have only to notice the handsome bronze lamp-posts which are fixed on the parapet walls, one supporting two lamps at each side over the four smaller arches, and one with three lamps at each side over the centre arch. They have been cast by Mr. Parker, of Argyll Street, out of captured cannon brought from his Majesty's yard at Woolwich; their design is elegant, and is displayed to so much the greater advantage, from the total absence of ornament in the masonry".
 Two versions of the token - the first inaccurate one is BHM#1547 and the correct one is BHM#1548.
References: Michael Mitchiner, Jetons, Medalets & Tokens, Vol. 4, No. 6539
Bibliography: Taylor, Jeremy. 'The Architectural Medal. England in the Nineteenth Century', London, 1978, 102b.

 The project had entailed the employment of around 800 men and taken seven and a half years to complete. Forty men lost their lives in the process. The bridge, which along with its approaches, cost around £1.5 million, was designed by Sir John Rennie. It was replaced by the present London Bridge, built between 1967 and 1972, but was sold and reconstructed at Lake Havasu City in Arizona, United States.