The Norman G Brodie Collection of Scottish Medals

Foreword

Norman Brodie started collecting British coins in the late 1950's, it was not until the 1970's that he began to assemble a solely Scottish Numismatic collection. Scottish medallions were widely represented in this collection chiefly because they offered such a great variety of subject matter, incorporating labour, learning and leisure pursuits alongside pure social historical material. It is primarily the aesthetic appeal of the medallion that has drawn the vendor's interest away from coins and tokens and within this collection the engravers craftsmanship is very much in evidence lending this collection great visual as well as academic appeal.

A further point of interest apparent in this collection is that of the variety of Provincial Assay Marks represented. All of the Provincial Assay offices have since closed with only the Edinburgh office still in operation, the Glasgow Assay having closed in 1964.

The collection is divided alphabetically in to eight categories.

1. Agricultural, Arboricultural and Horticultural Prize Medallions
2. Burns Commemorative Medallions
3. Coronation and Jubilee Medallions
4. Jacobite Jettons, Medallets, Medallions and Touchpieces
5. Historical Medallions
6. Lanark Lanimer Day Medallions
7. School and University Prize Medallions
8. Sports, Games and Pastimes Prize Medallions

In the Agricultural and Arboricultural listing there is a wide variety of farming activities represented. An unusual striking in this series is the medal given by W. Lockhart M.P. (Lot 78) at the Glasgow Agricultural Show 1854. Whilst the 1st prize for Hedges given by Lord James Stuart of the Dumfries Estate represents the commemoration of a tradition now largely lost with the introduction of intensive farming methods which have led to the widespread destruction of hedge rows. This consideration renders this a medal of increasing rarity as this skill, as with other traditional agricultural techniques, are gradually being lost with time.

The most important local historical medal is Lot 252 "Right of Way on the Banks of the Clyde Vindicated" also known as "The Harvey Dyke Medal" which was struck in silver after a protracted legal battle to celebrate the freedom and right of way along the banks of the river Clyde. An equally rare example of this medal struck in bronze is also represented in this sale.

There are many rare and interesting medals in the section dedicated to School and University Prize medallions.  The earliest school medal, Lot 557 dated 1809 and awarded to Miss Janet Sutherland for proficiency in writing and accompts is extremely rare. Lots 628 and 629 are of interest as they were awarded by MacFarlanes School, the first all Girls school in Glasgow founded in 1833. In many examples the schools' connection with local industry is evident This is exemplified in Lot 515, a small gold medal awarded to Margaret Boyd of Airdrie F.W. Academy for best picture in chalk which has been donated by a local coal master.

The Sports and Games section is particularly strong in early rare curling medals. A small selection of medals awarded for quoiting, an activity particuiarly popular in mining communities, is also represented here. The decrease in popularity of this sport can be seen to mirror the demise of mining communities with widespread closure of Scottish pits.

Although the Jacobite section is limited in quantity there are three very rare Touchpieces. These are of James III (Elder Pretender), Charles III (Bonny Prince Charlie, the Young Pretender) and Henry IX. There is a good cross section of Coronation medals with some rarities. The 1902 Glasgow Coronation Celebration marked by issue of an 18 carat gold medal in the shape of a royal crown is worthy of note. There is also an offering of Robert Burns commemorative medals, necessarily small as there is healthy competition for any material pertaining to the Scottish bard. Again there are some rarities and interesting medals to be had.

The Norman Brodie Collection represents an interesting cross section of Scottish medals and it is indeed unusual that they should become available on the market as an entire collection. It is then with great pleasure that Dix Noonan Webb invite the public to participate in this rare opportunity to purchase some scarce and, in many cases, unique pi of Scottish history.

* Norman Brodie would like to extend his thanks to his daughter Barbara for her considerable efforts in helping to catalogue this collection.