| Product
Code |
: |
PUD NO_921-1_AR |
| Subject | : | Reading's Viceroy Presentation Medal |
| Size | : | 50.7 mm |
| Metal | : | Silver |
| Year | : | 1921 |
| Description | : | obv. Earl of Reading's coat of arms with motto : AVT NVNOVAM TENTES AVT PERFICE (Do not attempt what you cannot finish.), rev. At top the breast badge of the Star of India order. Below : PRESENTED BY / THE EARL OF READING / VICEROY OF INDIA / TO, flanked to left and right by palm trees. Below legend, a scroll for recipients name. At bottom a floral spray.
One silver example seen had date 31.10.22 engraved on the edge. Reading was the third Viceroy to use this type of medal with the Viceroy’s arms on the obverse and the star of India, palm tree reverse. Reading also had a shooting medal (Volume II, 960.28.8) modelled on that used by Hardinge. Usually fitted with a claw and ring suspension.
Lord Reading (Rufus Daniel Isaacs) was the first and only Jewish Viceroy, indeed he came from a rather different background than the average Viceroy. He told the story of his seeing India for the first time as a ship’s boy on a merchant vessel in the Hooghly river; he had taken little interest in his father’s fruit merchant business and went to sea instead. Later he became a phenomenally successful lawyer, then a Liberal member of Parliament, cabinet minister and Lord Chief Justice. He was Viceroy from April 1921 until April 1926. |
