PRE WW1 BRITISH KING GEORGE V CORONATION 1911 VISIT IRELAND MEDAL

Offered is a scarce original 1911 British Visit to Ireland Coronation Medal. 36 mm wide circular silver medal with claw and swivel ring suspension; the face with the crowned head and shoulders of King George V in coronation robes facing left, circumscribed ‘GEORGIUS V REX ET IND: IMP:’ (George V King and Emperor of India), signed ‘B.M.’ at the base (for the great Australian sculptor Sir Bertram Mackennal, K.C.V.O., R.A., 1863-1931); the reverse with an Imperial crown centrally within concentric rings, the first decorated with a floreate geometric pattern, the second inscribed ‘CORONATION 1911’ above and dated ‘JULY 7-12’ below, arabesques to either side, within a border of stylised lilies; on correct original ribbon. The medal was instituted to mark the visit to Ireland by King George V and Queen Mary following their coronation on 22 June 1911 and was presented to eminent persons and members of the Irish police forces who were involved with the visit. The medal is in exceptionally fine condition. In all, just 2,477 medals were awarded and it is considered rare.