A Bronze Coin struck to commemorate the Opening of the Northern Ireland Parliament at City Hall by The King on 22nd June 1921.
On DisplayA Bronze Coin struck to commemorate the Opening of the Northern Ireland Parliament at City Hall
A Bronze Coin struck to commemorate the Opening of the Northern Ireland Parliament at City Hall by The King on 22nd June 1921. One of three Medallions struck - Bronze, Silver and Gilt Medallions all bearing the same iconography and inscription
The Bronze medal is slightly smaller in size than the Bronze version. The Medal was struck by the Belfast Jewellers Sharman Neill who had business premises in Donegall Place in Belfast.
It is unknown if the Medal was presented to Dignitaries on the day of the Opening of Parliament or gifted to them at a later date. It is unknown how many of the Bronze variants were produced or indeed how many still survive.
The Front face of each has a representation of the Northern Ireland Coat of Arms: the Coat of Arms with Shield, and central St Patrick’s Cross & Red Hand motif, surrounded by Rose, Shamrock & Thistle motifs and below a Latin Motto “Floreat Ultona” which translates as “May Ulster Flourish”. This Latin motto would have been seen relatively commonly in Unionist literature in the Home Rule Period in many forms and locations. It would also have been found used relatively regularly as a nom de plume by members of the Public writing in response to Newspaper articles or Editorials.
The Date of the Opening of Parliament 22nd June 1921 is embossed below.
The Obverse has a bust with the likeness of King George V.
Unlike some other Medals or Coins the Medal does not have any Text or design imprinted on the Side relief.
Owned by the Museum of Orange History, they were gifted to the MOH by the Estate of David Brewster. David had a significant collection amassed during his lifetime of various Northern Ireland, Orange and Unionist memorabilia. This collection was gifted in it’s entirety to the Museum of Orange Heritage upon his death. Images used by Permission of The Museum Of Orange Heritage