Medals and coins honoring Sir Isaac Newton: Finding Aid

Finding aid prepared by Dorothy Auyong.

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens

Rare Books Department

The Huntington Library

1151 Oxford Road

San Marino, California 91108

Phone: (626) 405-2191

Email: reference@huntington.org

URL: http://www.huntington.org

Overview of the Collection

Title: Medals and coins honoring Sir Isaac Newton

Dates (inclusive): 1667-1951

Bulk dates: 1730-1800

Collection Number: mssBabsonMedals

Extent: 39 items in 3 boxes.

Repository: The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. Rare Books Department

1151 Oxford Road

San Marino, California 91108

Phone: (626) 405-2191

Email: reference@huntington.org

URL: http://www.huntington.org

Abstract: The Medals and coins honoring Sir Isaac Newton collection contains various medallions, medals and coins, some in plaster replica which chiefly depict Isaac Newton.

Language: English.

Note:

Finding aid last updated on April 5, 2018.

Administrative Information

Publication Rights

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item]. Babson College's Grace K. Babson Collection of the Works of Sir Isaac Newton.The Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.

Provenance

On long term-loan from Babson College's Grace K. Babson Collection of the Works of Sir Isaac Newton, November 2006

Access

The collection is open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, please contact Reader Services.

Access to the material is restricted. Available with curator approval. Extended retrieval and delivery time required

Biographical Note

Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) was an English astronomer, mathemetician, theologian and natural philosopher. Newton was appointed Warden of the Royal Mint in 1696, and later became Master of the Mint in 1699, a post which he held until his death in 1727. During his tenure, he oversaw the Great Recoinage of the nation's silver currency.

Scope and Content

Collection of medals and coins commemorating Sir Isaac Newton's achievements at the Royal Mint and scientific endeavors. The collection contains various medals, medallions and coins (some in plaster replica) depicting posthumous tributes to Newton issued by the Royal Mint, Wedgwood and other private sources, chiefly between 1730 and 1800. It also includes a plaster replica of a medal honoring William Stukeley (1687-1765), Newton's first biographer, and coinage representing Newton's tenure at the Mint.

Related materials in the Huntington Library

Forms part of Babson College's Grace K. Babson Collection of the Works of Sir Isaac Newton on long term-loan to the Huntington

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in three boxes primarily by size. Box 3 contains smaller portrait medals and coins. The original housing for the coins and smaller medals, including any notes and numbering from the Babson collection, have been preserved in mylar enclosures alongside the items.

Technical Details

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Huntington Library's Online Catalog.

Subjects

Newton, Isaac, 1642-1727 -- Medals.

Newton, Isaac, 1642-1727 -- Numismatics.

Stukeley, William, 1687-1765 -- Medals.

Coins, British.

Forms/Genres

Coins (Money).

Medallions (Medals).

Box 1

Portrait medallions. 1780?-1951?

Physical Description: 11 items

Access Information

RESTRICTED. Fragile. Available with curator approval. May require special handling instructions and extended retrieval and delivery time.

1-5, 8-10 Plaster cast replicas from original Wedgwood molds of eight Newton medallions 1951?

Physical Description: 8 items

Note

Babson Catalog No. 519.679.

List of Wedgwood plaster casts

1. Replica of Jean Dassier’s silver medal. Ob. Bust to right. “Isaacus Newtonius” . Rev., the tomb of Newton in Westminster Abbey. 4 cm. diameter
2. Bust facing left, with short hair. 4.3 x 3.5 cm.
3. Small head, said to be from ring.
4. Head facing right, short hair, falling comet. 5.3 x 4.5 cm.
5. Replica of John Crocker’s silver medal. Ob. Bust to right “Isaacvs Newtonvus” Rev. a seated figure, winged head, holding a tablet with a plan of the solar system. 5.3 cm.
8. Bust facing right, with short hair. Comet falling. Like blue and white jasper piece. 7.5x6 cm.
9. Bust facing right, with short hair. In oval frame. 7.9 x 6.4 cm.

Gift of the Wedgwood Pottery and Mrs. Robert D. Chellis, May 1951.

6 Wedgwood, Josiah. Original black basalt portrait medallion of John Locke. Facing left. Marked 1790

Physical Description: 8 x 6 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 519.617

7 Wedgwood, Josiah. Original portrait medallion of Newton, white on blue, facing right, short hair, comet rising. approximately 1800.

Physical Description: 10 x 7.5 cm

Note

Babson Catalog No. 604

11 Wedgwood, Josiah. Original portrait medallion of Newton, black basalt, facing right, short hair, comet falling. approximately 1800.

Physical Description: 10 x 7.5 cm

Note

Babson Catalog No. 605

Box 2

Portrait medallions. 1765?-1927.

Physical Description: 6 items

Access Information

RESTRICTED. Fragile. Available with curator approval. May require special handling instructions and extended retrieval and delivery time.

1 Pewter medallion of Newton. Bust to right, with comet falling. approximately 1800?

Physical Description: 10.8 x 8.7 cm

Note

Babson Catalog No. 587

2 Royal Mint. Silver portrait medal of Sir Isaac Newton. Ob. Royal Arms and dates of Newton's service as Warder and Master of the Mint 1927.

Physical Description: 11 cm. in 13 x 15 cm. case.

Note

Not in printed Babson catalogs.

Issued in 1927 in commemoration of the anniversary of Newton's death.

3 Plaster replica of obverse side of medallion of William Stukeley. Bust to right. "Rev. Bvl. Stvkeley. M.D. SR Y AS." After 1765?

Physical Description: 8.6 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 588. Gift of the Grantham Museum.

4 Group of 3 small intaglio portrait medallions. approximately 1775-1800.

Physical Description: 3 items

List of small intaglios

1. Tassi, James, 1735-1799. Intaglio bust of Newton, facing left, with long hair. Cut in paste. 2.4 x 2 cm. Formerly belonged to Lady Margaret Huggins, wife of Sir William Huggins. Babson Catalog No. 519.683
2. Wedgwood, Josiah. Intaglio basalt oval medallion portrait of Isaac Newton, Bust with profile facing left, natural hair. Rev. bust of Seneca (4 B.C.?—65 A.D.), profile facing left. 1.9 x 1.6 cm. Approximately 1780-1790 Babson Catalog No. 519.651
3. Wedgwood, Josiah. Small round basalt intaglio head of Isaac Newton, facing left, with falling comet at right. 1.3 cm.Babson Catalog No. 519.701

5 Royal Mint. Bronze portrait medal of Sir Isaac Newton. Ob. Royal Arms and dates of Newton's service as Warder and Master of the Mint. 1927

Physical Description: 11 cm. in 13 x 15 cm. case

Note

Not in printed Babson catalogs.

Issued in 1927 in commemoration of the anniversary of Newton's death.

6 Plaster replica of reverse side of medallion of William Stukeley. "Ob. Mar. 4. 1765. Ae: 84". After 1765?

Physical Description: 8.6 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 588

Box 3

Portrait medallions and coins. 1667-1824?

Physical Description: 22 items

Access Information

RESTRICTED. Fragile. Available with curator approval. May require special handling instructions and extended retrieval and delivery time.

1 Croker, John, 1670-1741. Silver medal portrait of Isaac Newton. Ob. Bust facing left. "Issacvs Netonvs." I.C.". Rev. A seated figure, winged head, holding a tablet with a plan of the solar system. "Felix. Cognoscere Cavas". M.DCC.XXVI.". 1731.

Physical Description: 5.1 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 578

2 Croker, John, 1670-1741. Bronze medal portrait of Isaac Newton. Ob. Bust facing left. "Issacvs Netonvs." I.C.". Rev. A seated figure, winged head, holding a tablet with a plan of the solar system. "Felix. Cognoscere Cavas". M.DCC.XXVI.". 1731.

Physical Description: 5.1 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 579

3 Plaster replica of obverse of Croker medal portrait of Isaac Newton. After 1731?

Physical Description: 5.1 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 580

Gift of Grantham Museum.

4 Roettiers, Jacques, 1707-1784. Silver medal portrait of Isaac Newton. Ob. Bust facing right,"Isaacvs Newtonvs", "Jac. Roettiers." Rev. Seated figure holding shield depicting the universe. 1739.. 1739.

Physical Description: 5.2 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 581

5 Mills, George, 1792 or 93-1824. Silver medal portrait of Isaac Newton. Ob. Bust facing right. "The Astronomical Society of London Instituted MDCCCXX Nubem Pellente Mathesi." "Mils F." Rev. Herschel's telescope. "Quicquid nitet notatandum." "Charles Rumker. 1824." 1824.

Physical Description: 4.7 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 582

Issued periodically to distinguished astronomers. This was issued to Carl Rümker (1788-1862) in 1824.

6 Dassier, Jean. Silver medal portrait of Isaac Newton. Ob. Bust facing right. "Isaacus Newtonius." "I. Dassier F." Rev. The tomb of Newton in Westminster Abbey. "Nat. 1642. M. 1726.". Undated.

Physical Description: 4.2 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 583

7 Dassier, Jean. Bronze medal portrait of Isaac Newton. Ob. Bust facing right. "Isaacus Newtonius." "I. Dassier F." Rev. The tomb of Newton in Westminster Abbey. "Nat. 1642. M. 1726.". Undated.

Physical Description: 4.2 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 584

8 Plaster replicas of Obverse and reverse of Newton portrait medal by L.B. Ob. Bust facing to right. With comet. "Sir Isaac Newton." "L.B." "Died 20 March 1727." Rev. "sir Isaac was born at Woolsthorpe in the Soke of Grantham Decr. 25th 1642 and educated at the Free Grammar Schoool of King Edward the Sixth [windmill device] Grantham" Undated.

Physical Description: 2 items, 4.3 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 585

9 Calendar medallion in bronze. Ob. Bust facing right. "A Calendar 1822. S. Isaac Newton." Rev. Calendar. 1822.

Physical Description: 4.1

Note

Babson Catalog No. 586

10 Bronze half-penny. Ob. Newton's portrait, bust facing left. "Sr. Isaac Newton." Rev., "Half Penny. 1793." Design with cornucopia and serpents on winged rod. 1793.

Physical Description: 3 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 589

With milled edges. One of group of five.

11 Bronze half-penny. Ob. Newton's portrait, bust facing left. "Sr. Isaac Newton." Rev., "Half Penny. 1793." Design with cornucopia and serpents on winged rod. 1793

Physical Description: 3 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 589

With milled edges. Two out of a group of five.

12 Bronze half-penny. Ob. Newton's portrait, bust facing left. "Sr. Isaac Newton." Rev., "Half Penny. 1793." Design with cornucopia and serpents on winged rod. 1793.

Physical Description: 3 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 589

With unmilled edges. "Payable in Hull and in London" inscribed on edges. Two of a group of five.

13 Bronze farthings struck at the Mint. Ob. Newton's portratit, bust facing left. "Sr. Isaac Newton". Rev. "Farthing 1793" Design of cornucopia and olive branch. Milled edges. 1793.

Physical Description: 2.2 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 590

14 Bronze farthing struck privately. Ob. bust facing to left. "Ic. Newton." Rev. "Farthing 1793." In center monogram "TH". 1793.

Physical Description: 2 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 591

15 Bronze farthings struck privately. Ob. bust facing left. "Ic. Newton." Rev. "Farthing 1793." With Britannia seated. 1793.

Physical Description: 2 coins, 2.2 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 592

16 Bronze farthing struck privately. Ob. bust facing left. "Ic. Newton." Rev. "Farthing 1794." With Britannia seated. 1794.

Physical Description: 2 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 593

17 Grantham 17th-century bronze "Poore" token. Ob. "A half Peny to be exchaing." In center Town arms, checkered, 6 rows. Rev. "By ye overseers of ye poore Gran-tham 1667." 1667.

Physical Description: 1.8 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 594

Gift of Grantham Museum.

18 Silver shilling struck at the Mint. Ob. Wiliam III, bust facing right. "Gvlielmvs III. Dei. Gra." Rev. "Rex. 1700. Mag. Br. Fra. et Hib." Four shields in center. Milled edges. 1700.

Physical Description: 2.5 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 595

19 Silver shilling struck at the Mint. Ob. Queen Anne, bust facing left. "Anna. Dei Gratia." Rev. "Reg. 1709. Mag. Bri. Fr. et. Hib." Four shields in center. Milled edges. 1709.

Physical Description: 2.5 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 596

20 Silver shilling struck at the Mint. Ob. King George I, bust facing right. "Georgivs. D.G. M. BR.Fr. et Hib. Rex. Fd." Rev. "Et. El. 1723. Brvn. et. L. Dvx. S.R.I.A.Th." Four shields in center. Milled edges. 1723.

Physical Description: 2.5 cm.

Note

Babson Catalog No. 597