This handsome bronze medal commemorates the opening of the City of London School in 1834 and reflects the civic pride and educational ambition of the Corporation of London. Struck in Extremely Fine condition, it has the strong detail and rich surface that collectors value in an early nineteenth-century British award medal.

The obverse shows the west front of the school, with the inscription CITY OF LONDON SCHOOL FOUNDED BY THE CORPORATION 1834. The architect is named as J.B. Bunning and the medal is signed B. WYON F., giving the piece a clear link to Benjamin Wyon, one of the leading medallists of the period. The reverse presents a thoughtful allegorical scene, with Knowledge seated and instructing a youth standing beside a tablet, while the arms of the City appear above. The surrounding legend speaks of the religious and virtuous education of boys, and their instruction in literature and useful knowledge, which neatly captures the spirit of the school’s foundation.

Measuring 58 mm and struck in bronze, this is a substantial medal with a pleasing weight and presence. For collectors, it is especially interesting because it began life as a commemorative piece and later came to be used as an award medal, adding another layer to its story. The edge is engraved with the recipient’s name and date, which gives each example a more personal and historical character.

This is a fine example of Victorian civic and educational medallic art, with strong appeal to collectors of school medals, Corporation of London material and the work of Benjamin Wyon. Its combination of architecture, allegory and historical importance makes it a particularly satisfying piece to study and collect.