London Polytechnic, Young Mens Christian Institute, silver medal by JA Restall of Birmingham, hallmarked for London 1896

Obv: St George slays the dragon, THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH around

Rev: A castle with motto PALMAM QUI MERUIT FERAT (Let he who earned it bear the palm) below, space for recipient's name between palms, legend on border around POLYTECHNIC YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE LONDON

Diameter: 46mm; Condition: Extremely fine or better, onetime carefully cleaned

References: cf.BHM 3426 reverse for this obverse type on a bronze Polytechnic Exhibition medal of 1891 by Restall.

Notes: The YMCI was founded by Quintin Hogg in Regent Street in 1882, later becoming part of London Polytechnic (now in turn part of Westminster University). The Latin motto on the obverse is common to many different organisations: Nelson even added it to his coat of arms after the Battle of the Nile. The medal is scarce.

Price £95