LONDON.- A gold Royal Geographical Society Patron’s medal awarded to Scottish geographer and cartographer Alexander Keith Johnston (1804-71) fetched £37,200 when it was sold in an auction of Coins, Tokens and Historical Medals by International coins, medals, banknotes and jewellery specialist Dix Noonan Webb on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. It had been expected to fetch £10,000-12,000.

Designed by W. Wyon, the substantial medal which weighed 2oz and measured 54mm in diameter, depicted a coroneted head of Queen Victoria, and on the other side Minerva standing left, holding wreath and map. It was awarded to Johnston in 1871 ‘For distinguished services in the promotion of Physical Geography’ [Lot 399].

Following the sale, Christopher Webb, Head of Coin Department, Dix Noonan Webb and auctioneer of the first Online/ live sale: “We were delighted with the first sale in the new format, which saw more bidders and bids than ever before. The sale was 97% sold and it was very encouraging.”

He continued: “The wonderful gold Patron’s medal was bought by a Japanese Collector after much interest. It was a beautiful example and we rarely see items like this come to the market. Anything with travel links, such as the Royal Geographical Society, always attracts a lot of attention.”

Elsewhere in the sale and also from the same collection as the Gold Patron’s medal, a very rare gold medal commemorating the Coronation of Charles II, dating from 1661, and made by T. Simon, depicting a crowned bust, and on the reverse, the King enthroned, being crowned by Peace sold for £6,820 against an estimate of £4,000-£5,000 [Lot 370].