Great Britain. Masonic medal 1830 Honorable Testimonial of Masonic Charity & Benevolence
- KOD: 4809162MA
Great Britain. Masonic medal 1830 Honorable Testimonial of Masonic Charity & Benevolence,"1830 Duke of Sussex", 37 mm Silver gilt, weight approx. 20,0 g., all in glazed 9 Carat Gold signed frame, weight of entire set approx. 33,0 g., Condition aUNC, dark patina on reverse
Obverse: seated mother with two children and the eye of providence above the scene. Below is the date MDCCCXXX (1830).
Reverse: inscription "HONORABLE TESTIMONIAL OF MASONIC CHARITY & BENEVOLENCE INSTITUTED BYH:R:H: AUG: FRED: DUKE OF SUSSEX GRAND MASTER" and bearing the Masonic insignia of a braided angle and compass.
"The Grand Lodge Charity Jewel (sometimes called the Sussex Jewel). Inaugurated in 1830 this was awarded to masons who became stewards of more than one of the charities (at first just the Girls and the Boys, then the Benevolent Institution as well). The central device, struck as a circular medal, is of Charity nursing a girl in the uniform of the Royal Masonic School for Girls and a boy holding a book, under a triangle containing the eye of the Great Architect, underneath the image is the Latin date for 1830. The reverse of the jewel bears the inscription “Honorable Testimonial of Masonic Charity and Benevolence Instituted by H:R:H: Aug Fred: Duke of Sussex M:W: Grand Master”.
source: giamerantiquesandcollectibles.com