€7,000 - €9,000
Important Famine Time Presentation Gold Medal
Famine Medal - A superb and important engraved Gold Medal, 18 carat, (tested not hallmarked), weight 88.5 gm, diameter 51.5mm [2"], presented 'To Mr. T. OBrien, MDCCCXLVI [1846] / For his / continued exertions in / the manufacture of Bread / from Indian corn, / which have contributed / materially to its introduction / as a substitute for Potatoes / among the people of / IRELAND' [within a wreath], scratched number 5048, [presented by] S O Co. I N Sn / London 1753; obverse with legend 'Arts and Commerce Promoted' enclosing two classical heads in relief; preserved in the original circular leather velvet-lined box with clasp. The box a little worn, otherwise in superb original condition.
The recipient is Timothy O'Brien, a Dublin merchant and MP who (as Lord Mayor of Dublin) welcomed Queen Victoria to the capital in 1849, and was created a baronet [see D.I.B. for his grandson, also Timothy, an international cricketer]. He was a member of the well-known grocery and bakery firm Johnston Mooney & O'Brien. History does not record the nature of his exertions in promoting the use of Trevelyan's Indian corn, which was intended to replace not only the potato, but the good Irish corn, whose export continued unchecked through the Famine years. (1)
Provenance: By family descent.
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