Description: Extremely rare, quite possibly a unique survivor.
'Humane Society of Massachusetts Refuge, 1781' on one side along the rim and 'Sub Libertate Quietem, E Pluribus Unum on the other.
In tiny lettering is engraved 'Benjamin Wyon, London', his biography follows:
(9 January 1802 – 21 November 1858) was an English engraver of seals, and medallist.
Life
Born in John Street, Blackfriars, London, on 9 January 1802, he was the second son of Thomas Wyon the elder. He received instruction from his elder brother, Thomas Wyon the younger, and in 1821 gained the gold medal of the Society of Arts for a medal die of figures. He also gained the silver medal of the Royal Academy, for a die with the head of Apollo. On 10 January 1831 Wyon was appointed Chief Engraver of the Seals and made the Great Seal of William IV. He died on 21 November 1858. Works follow:
Wyon produced medals, his signatures being "B. Wyon" and "Benj. Wyon". Among them were: 1821, Visit of George IV to Ireland (obverse only); 1831, Opening of London Bridge; 1832, Passing of Reform Bill; 1834, Foundation of City of London School; 1842, Pollock Prize Medals; 1849, Opening of London Coal Exchange; 1851, Shakespeare Prize, City of London School; 1855, Visits of the Emperor of the French and of the King of Sardinia to the Guildhall, London. Seals produced by Wyon include The Seal of George Augustus Selwyn, the first Anglican Bishop of New Zealand in 1841.


History: The Massachusetts Humane Society was organized in 1787 and is generally considered to be the predecessor to the U. S. Life-Saving Service. The Merrimack Humane Society was organized in 1802. The Massachusetts Humane Society, was one of the first organizations to establish and supply early “Life Saving Stations†in the United States and from their very beginning awarded “Premiums“ for acts of heroism involving the saving of life at sea and along the coast of Massachusetts. Soon its "sister" organization, the Merrimack Humane Society was formed to focus on the Newburyport - Plum Island area and northeast coast. Even after the establishment of the U.S. Life Saving Service in the post Civil War years, the Humane Society continued to provide support and equipment to its members who constituted a "coastal volunteer crew" as well as maintaining "shelter huts" along deserted stretches of the coast for the use of shipwreck victims who has washed ashore far from human habitations. Besides providing equipment and training of volunteer Life-Saving crews along the Massachusetts coast, the Humane Society awarded Life Saving Medals and cash "Premiums" to those who risked their own lives to help passengers and crewmembers of shipwrecks in their area. The Massachusetts Humane Society still exists - today, The Humane Society carries on the mission envisioned by its founders. It recognizes those who voluntarily risk their lives to save others and seeks to prevent accident, injury and death, primarily on the waters.

Provenance: Brought to the US from Russia


Dimensions: Weight (Pounds & Ounces) = 0.25 | Height(in) = 6 | Width(in) = 6 | Depth(in) = 8

Size of Artwork(in): 2.25" diameter


Artist Name: Benjamin Wyon


Medium: Pewter


Circa: C. 1840

Wear, dent across one, dings.