To Commemorate the Founding of the Free "City of London School" in 1834

Art Historical Context

This bronze medal, struck in 1834 by British medallist Benjamin Wyon, commemorates the founding of the City of London School, a pioneering free grammar school established for the sons of freemen. Wyon, a leading engraver of his generation and Chief Engraver of the Seals at the Royal Mint, brought his precise craftsmanship to the small circular form, which measures just over two inches in diameter. Such struck medals served as lasting tokens of civic pride, often distributed to mark important public events or institutions. The City of London School represented a forward-thinking educational initiative during a period of social reform in Britain. By offering accessible classical education, it reflected growing 19th-century interest in broadening opportunities beyond the elite. Wyon’s design likely incorporates allegorical figures or architectural motifs celebrating learning and the City’s generosity, rendered through the sharp relief and fine detail possible in struck bronze. Today, this piece in the Metropolitan Museum’s collection highlights how medals functioned as miniature monuments, preserving moments of cultural progress in portable, enduring form. Its donation by the Corporation of the City of London in 1908 further underscores the ongoing significance of this educational milestone.

About the Artist

Benjamin Wyon · 1802–1858

British, London 1802–1858 London