| Product
Code |
: |
PUD NO_894-1_AR |
| Subject | : | Elgin's Viceroy Presentation Medal |
| Size | : | 51.3 mm |
| Metal | : | Silver |
| Year | : | 1894 |
| Description | : | obv. Busts of Lord and Lady Elgin, left, around border : THE EARL OF ELGIN G.M.S.I. G.M.I.E. VICEROY OF INDIA & THE COUNTESS OF ELGIN * 1894 * Signed : Allan Wyon SC, rev. Coat of Arms of Lord Elgin, around border : PRESENTED - BY - HIS - EXCELLENCY - THE - GOVERNOR - GENERAL. Signed : A. Wyon
Lord Elgin was Governor-General and Viceroy from January 1894 to January 1899. His term as Viceroy was a rather stressful one, with one problem following another with amazing rapidity. Not only the usual military operations such as Manipur and Chitral but a general uprising on the North West Frontier involving the Swatis, Bunerwals, Patans, Mohmands, Afridis and Orakzais. Then there was the plague in Bombay in 1896 that spread throughout India; the northern Indian famine in 1897; the earthquake in the Himalayan region, all aggravated by the continued decline in the value of silver and depreciation of the rupee. The Indian government made its payments to London in gold but received its income in silver. Lord Elgin was partly responsible for the implementation of the gold standard in India. |
