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Great Britain - 1811

The Friendly Society

Obverse:

Within a closed wreath, two clasped hands

Legend:

THE FRIENDLY SOCIETY

Exergue:

. UNITED FOR PUBLIC GOOD .

Size:

53 mm.

Reverse:

Britannia seated right upon rocks holding an olive branch, ships at sea.

Legend:

UNION IS THE BOND OF SOCIETY

Exergue:

AMITY

Vern's Comments:

A big and heavy silver medal, (4mm thick!) holed for wear. The reverse would appear to the the same as the reverse of BHM-722 but I couldn't find anything close in size, at least to the obverse. The obverse design is common to anti-slavery and Indian Peace medals of the period. I dated it 1811 because of the reverse.
"Friendly" societies were everywhere and despite this one proclaiming itself "The" were organizations that you joined and they would provide support when you fell on hard times or were sick or injured. The '86' or '98' on the reverse might be a membership number.

The Friendly Society