Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 511 9 Mar 2022
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temp. HANOVER. Thomas Howard, 3rd Earl of Effingham and Master of the Mint. 1747-1791. Æ Medal (35mm, 22.49 g, 12h). On his death. By J. Milton. Dated 1747, 1784, and 1791. THO · HOWARD · COM · DE · EFFINGHAM · REI · MONET · PRÆF · 1784 ·, bare head left / PRO PATRIÆ, Britannia, holding spear and leaning upon Union shield, seated left upon cornucopia, from which coins spill forth; all set upon globe. Edge: NATVS · XIII · JAN · MDCCXLVII · OB · XV · NOV · MDCCXCI · ÆT · XLIV. Eimer 844; BHM 353. Brown surfaces. EF.
Born to a noble British family, Thomas Howard, who became the Third Earl of Effingham upon the death of his father in 1763, became known as a strong neutralist during the period of the American Revolution. A proponent of neither side, he disagreed with the rebellion of the colonists, but also with their taxation without representation. In his protest against any war against the colonies, he famously resigned his post – an act which later garnered him attention in the new country with the naming of a frigate after him, as well as counties in both Georgia and Illinois. After his military career, he served posts as Deputy Earl Marshal, Treasurer of the King's Household, Master of the Mint, and Governor of Jamaica.
It is Howard's time as Master of the Mint which is honored on this medal, however, and particular care was given by the engraver to the numismatic detail on the reverse. On the coins spilling forth from the cornucopia, one can discern a few 'spade' type guinea reverses, an early bust obverse of George III, and a reverse of a silver issue with cruciform coats-of-arms. Four other coins are inscribed '1790,' 'Milton,' 'Tower,' and 'London,' respectively.
Born to a noble British family, Thomas Howard, who became the Third Earl of Effingham upon the death of his father in 1763, became known as a strong neutralist during the period of the American Revolution. A proponent of neither side, he disagreed with the rebellion of the colonists, but also with their taxation without representation. In his protest against any war against the colonies, he famously resigned his post – an act which later garnered him attention in the new country with the naming of a frigate after him, as well as counties in both Georgia and Illinois. After his military career, he served posts as Deputy Earl Marshal, Treasurer of the King's Household, Master of the Mint, and Governor of Jamaica.
It is Howard's time as Master of the Mint which is honored on this medal, however, and particular care was given by the engraver to the numismatic detail on the reverse. On the coins spilling forth from the cornucopia, one can discern a few 'spade' type guinea reverses, an early bust obverse of George III, and a reverse of a silver issue with cruciform coats-of-arms. Four other coins are inscribed '1790,' 'Milton,' 'Tower,' and 'London,' respectively.