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Auction: 25124 - Spink Numismatic e-Circular 43: British and World Coins and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 364

Formation of the Free British Fishery Society, AR Medal, 1750, by L. Koch, FREDERICK PRINCE OF WALES. GOVERNOR OF THE SOCIETY, draped and armoured bust right, rev. FOR THE ADVANTAGE OF GREAT BRITAIN, fishermen on the shore with nets and barrels; trawler at sea hauls in nets, FREE BRIT . FISHERY BY A SOCIETY ESTABL . 1750,, in exergue, edge plain, 40mm, 25.39g (Eimer 629; MI ii 659/365; Brockmann 918), bagmarked and wiped, some toning, very fine; William V, Prince of Orange, Knight of the Garter, AR Medal, 1752, by J. G. Holtzhey, WILH . V . D . G . P . A . & . N . FOED . BELG . LIB . GVB . HÆR ., draped bust right, wearing hat, mantle, collar and George of the Garter; his left hand grasps his sword, rev. EQVES CREATVS DIE V . IVNY . MDCCLII, St George and Dragon in Garter, edge plain, 29mm, 9.61g (Eimer -; MI ii 669/379; van Loon Suppl. 326), couple of bagmarks, otherwise richly toned and lustrous, extremely fine; Charterhouse School, Gilt-AR Award Medal, 1846, awarded to H. W. Sotheby, school arms and motto, rev. CARTHVSIANI HONORIS CAVSA in wreath, H . W . SOTHEBY . LATIN HEXAMETER . 1846 ., on edge, 36mm, 27.48g (Eimer -; BHM -), file marked to edge and some light contact marking, otherwise with a flashy lustre, extremely fine (3)

Provenance

i) Sincona, 96, 26 May 2025, lot 306


In 1750 the small fishing town of Southwold, Suffolk positioned on the North Sea coastline and at the mouth of the river Blyth was chosen to be the headquarters of the Free British Fishery Society. The object of the Act of Parliament was to revive the nation's fishing industry and to challenge Dutch supremacy in deep-sea herring fishing. A sum of £500,000 was provided to support the endeavour, equivalent to almost £100 million today. Frederick Prince of Wales was also appointed as Governor. Despite initial investment to infrastructure for the industry, it proved to be a short-lived boom. By 1772, the remnants of the Fishery's assets based in Southwold were put up for auction at the Old Swan Inn, fetching £6,391 - all that remained of the original investment.


This medal was struck in 1750 by the Free British Fishery to honour its founding Governor, Frederick Prince of Wales. Frederick died in March the following year and a new medal was struck in honour of his successor, George William Frederick, Prince of Wales, later to become King George III.


ii) Sincona, 96, 26 May 2025, lot 307

iii) Sincona, 96, 26 May 2025, lot 414

Baldwin's, Argentum, November 2009, lot 402


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Estimate
£400 to £500

Starting price
£280