Coins and Historical Medals

NEW ZEALAND, Royal Society of New Zealand (Inst. 1867), Rutherford Medal, a ‘silver’ [in reality cupro-nickel] specimen medal, unsigned, bust of Ernest Rutherford right, rev. two male figures standing in front of a plinth adorned with the scales of Justice, 64mm, 180.58g. Tiny obverse rim nick at 4 o’clock, otherwise extremely fine and very rare £80-£100

The Rutherford Medal was inaugurated by the Royal Society of New Zealand in 1991. It is awarded annually to a scientist of distinction who will stand in high public esteem through research work of international significance. There are two classes of medal, ‘silver’ and bronze