Bro. G. L. Shackles, P.M., P.P.S.G.D., On Masonic Medals.

BRO . G . L . SHACKLES , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., ON MASONIC MEDALS .

A paper read at the meeting of the St . Germain ' s Lodge , No . 566 , Selby . The subject on which I propose to address you this evening-, viz ., Masonic Medals , is one about which very little is known in England , and I am only sorry that I shall be unable to draw your attention to but the fringe of

such an interesting study . Masonic numismatics have attracted but little attention from brethren of the Craft , and but few collectors have interested themselves in their study . Few persons , even members of the Fraternity in this country , are aware that any Masonic Medals have been struck during the last 150 years by lodges of Freemasons or by individual members of the Suciety , nor of the interest taken in this

subject , more especially by the European and American ledges , many of whom have large and valuable cabinets . Two German works and one American are all the books that have been published on the subject . The first of these was entitled " Numotheca Numismatica Latomorum , " by ErnestZacharias , and it is now quite rare . It was issued at Dresden in parts , the first of which appeared September

13 th , 1 S 40 , and the eighth and last January 29 th , 1 S 46 . Each part contained engravings of six medals with full descriptions , and some reference generally to the occasion for which they were struck . A translation of many of these descriptions , with copies of the engravings , appeared in the columns of the American Freemason of October 15 th , 1 S 55 , and following numbers , and they were substantially

reprinted in the "Quarterly Review of Freemasonry , " and also in a series of 12 newspaper articles in the New York Dispatch , with comments on the significance of the symbols used on the medals by Dr . Robert Morris , the eminent Masonic Poet Laureate , who , you will remember , was the author of that beautiful Masonic poem , " We meet upon the level and part upon the square . " The second work to

which I have alluded is a far more elaborate work than that of Zacharias . It is entitled " Die Denkmunzen der Friemaurerbruderschaft , " and was prepared by the late Dr . J . F . L . Theodor Merzdorf , of Oldenburg , Germany , in which city it was published in 1 S 51 . His position as librarian to the Grand Duke of Oldenburg gave him great facilities for consulting authorities , and the volume contains with the

introduction 1 S 1 pages , an engraving of two very rare medals , and descriptions of 334 , the classification of which is given in an article in "Norton ' s Literary Letter" in 1 S 59 , published in New York . Merzdorf's work is a full and , in most cases , a very accurate list of the medals which had been struck and issued up to time , of its publication in 1851 . So complete and systematically arranged is it , that

it is referred to for descriptions in almost every case where these medals are offered for sale on the Continent . The last , and by far the best , work on this subject is " The Medals of the Masonic Fraternity , " described and illustrated by William T . R . Marvin , of Boston , Philadelphia . It consists of a quarto volume of nearly 350 pages , enumerates over 700 medals , and has 16 plates illustrating

about 50 medals . Four of the pieces described by Zacharias are denied a place among Masonic medals by Merzdorf ; but , after a careful examination , Marvin has thought it proper to include two of them , as they are undoubtedly closely allied to Masonics , and of the remaining two , I am strongly of opinion that one should also be admitted . There are two classes of Masonic medals , under one or

other of which nearly all of them will find a place . The first includes those struck in honour of some distinguished member of the Fraternity , or of some event of interest to the Brotherhood . A large proportion of the German Masonics and some of the French properly come under this head . The second embraces medals struck by various Masonic bodies , and the " Members' Jewels , " as

they are called in America—lodge tokens being the name given them in Germany—and to this class I should assign most of the French medals , nearly all the English , of which the number is exceedingly small , and many American medals . These are usually struck from a die belonging to the lodge , and often suspended from the lapel of the coat as a badge of membership by brethren on

the communications 01 their own lodge , or when visiting a sister lodge . Many of these lodge jewels have an obverse struck in a die , while the reverse is plain , or has the owner ' s name and date of admission to membership engraved upon it . An example of this kind is that struck by the Mary Commandery of Philadelphia , which is a shield . Some lodges wear an engraved medal . These can be supplied

at a few hours notice by any silversmith , and I have therefore excluded them from my collection , as by attempting to include them , it would extend beyond all proper limits . There are many engraved "Mark Masters ' medals , " having the letters H . T . VV . S . S . T . K . S . in a circle , with the owner ' s private " Mark " within , and it will at once be seen that there can be no assignable limit to those which might be

prepared of this description alone . Various estimates have been made of the number of Masonic medals which have been struck . Such attempts can at best do nothing more than approximate the number . I have in my own collection many not mentioned by any previous writer , and which have escaped the careful researches of such collectors as Merzdorf and Marvin . Quite lately one was found in the

British Museum , which has hitherto been quite unknown , others I have heard of but never seen , and still there ate many more which I have found in catalogues ot coin sales , with the comment "omitted by Merzdorf and Marvin , " but with no description—except perhaps a mention of the place where they were struck—that have evaded all my attempts to investigate . There is occasionally an account

of laying some corner-stone of a Masonic Temple , which mentions a medal . For instance , in the year 1 S 6 S , on the 24 th June , the corner-stone of the Grand Masonic Temple in Philadelphia was laid with appropriate Masonic ceremonies . Among the articles deposited in it were an English copper Masonic token or halfpenny , struck in 1790 , a s > lver medal of Past Grand Master Peter Williamson , the

thirt y-fourth Grand Master and Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Grand Lodge , and a gold and silver Masonic medal , ° f which we have no information of what they were , and whether engraved or struck for the occasion or not we canlot tell . This is one of the many cases which I might cite ,

where efforts have been made to identify Masonic medals , which have met with no success , and the same difficulty has been experienced by Thory , Marvin , and others whom 1 have already named . The mere list of authorities consulted by Merzdorf occupies ten pages of his catalogue , a "d he assures his readers that he has carefully examined at least as many more , in the hope of finding something

Bro. G. L. Shackles, P.M., P.P.S.G.D., On Masonic Medals.

—even if it be of only trifling value—to give him a clue to other medals . The new Masonic medals which are constantly appearing , and the references to older ones I have alluded to , show how hopeless a task he undertakes who should attempt to describe all that have been issued even to the present date . The collections of Masonic medals are but few ; one of the best in America was that of the

lodge Pythagoras , a German lodge , under the authority of the Prussian Grand Lodge of the Three Globes , and holding its meetings in Brooklyn ; this has , however , unfortunately been dispersed within the last few months . The late Dr . Lewis , of Boston , had a good collection , and I am informed Professor Anton , President of the American Numismatic and Archaeological Society of New York , had

a considerable number of specimens . The first cabinet of Masonic medals was commenced by the Lodge " Eintrachr , " at Vienna , about the year 17 S 4 . Other collections were subsequently made at Rostock , Leipsic , and Hamburg . Private collections were also in the possession of Bros . Von Eck , Zacharias , Von Hammerstein , and Merzdorf . In England there are but two collections of

any size , viz ., one in the possession of my friend Bro . Geo . Taylor , the Provincial Grand Secretary of Worcestershire , and the one before you . Bros . Major Irwin , of Bristol , and Newton , of Bolton , have a few , but their collections consist more of lodge jewels , as distinguished from medals struck in a die . 1 have limited my own collection , as you will see , exclusively to the latter class . It would have been very

gratifying to me , and pleasing to you , had I been able to illustrate by means of a magic lantern and sheet some of the medals now before you , but this is out of my power , for several reasons . On a few which I shall point out , you , members of the Fraternity , will recognise allusions which will pass unnoticed by non-Masons : others tell their own story by symbols which need no translation . It would

be interesting to take up some and explain by means of them the influence , as there displayed , the rites of the socalled High Degrees have had on the simpler emblems of Ancient Masonry . For instance Marvin ' s 415 shows the combination of the square and compasses with the blazing star familiar to every Mason , while on the reverse appears the Templar Cross , as used in the rite of strict observance .

On Marvin's 25 S are the emblems of Faith , Hope , and Charity , struck before the birth of the Knights Templars Order , which now claims them as peculiarly its own , but which are no longer found as specifically Masonic in our trestleboards . This medal is extremely rare ; it was designed by the celebrated Irish sculptor , Smith , and engraved by the elder Mossop , the most noted engraver of

his time , and was probably designed for a prize medal for the Dublin Masonic Female Orphan School , which was founded in 1792 . On Marvin ' s 262 the symbols of Ancient Masonry are placed side by side with those of the Royal Arch . This medal is supposed to have been struck in commemoration of the recognition of Royal Arch Masonry by Craft Masonry prior to the Union in 1 S 13 . The obverse

represents the accolated busts of Geo . Augustus Frederic , Prince of Wales , Grand Master , afterwards George IV ., and Wm . Hy ., Duke of Clarence , ist Grand Principal of Arch Masonry , afterwards William IV ., and it is altogether one of the finest of our English Masonics . On Marvin ' s 256 are displayed the cross and cypher of Masonic Knights Templar , the latter now unknown , I venture to believe , to

most of that Order in the present day . On many more these emblems might be pointed out had 1 the means of showing you the medals on an enlarged form . For instance , take the emblems of the so called French Rite of Memphis . The laurel is said to allude to the victory to be gained over the passions , the olive is the symbol of the peace and unity which should prevail among brethren , the serpent forming

a circle—that is with its tail in its mouth—a very common emblem , represents the immensity of the power of God , which has neither beginning or end ; it also represents the universality of Freemasonry . The double triangle alludes to the signet or seal of Solomon , while the intersecting deltas formed by it typify fire and water , prayer and remission , creation and redemption , life and death ,

resurrection and judgment . The T . H . or Triple Tau is stated to mean the Temple at Jerusalem , and also the key of knowledge . In the late Dr . Oliver ' s curious work entitled " The Discrepancies of Freemasonry" will be found many explanations of symbols . The compasses suspended by a white ribbon he regards as the united symbol of purity and wisdom . A great many others , with their significance in

English Masonry , will be found , as well as several explanations of the cyphers once so extensively used in various grades , and which are depicted on some of the medals before you . The study of Masonic medals , like that of many archaeological specialties has peculiar difficulties . A very large number give no evidence of the occasion which evoked them upon even a critical examination . For

instance , on Marvin ' s 362 , Merzdorf considers the figures on the reverse to typify Wisdom , Strength , and Beauty , but 1 think there is no doubt they allude to the three Grand Lodges of Germany , and further investigations seem to confirm this , for in 1 S 38 a friendly compact had been made between them , and in 1839 , a Grand Master ' s Union of these three bodies was formed , and in the following year

Prince William of Prussia , whose bust is on the obverse , received the Degrees of Freemasonry from the Union in the Hall of the Grand Lodge of Germany . There are many other points of Masonic history elucidated by those medals that will repay very careful study , and which on many accounts I would gladly have entered upon , but time and space forbid . On quite a number of medals , English , Scotch ,

German , and French , will be found the arms of the Freemasons . On Marvin's 9 , one of the oldest Masonic medals in existence , are the arms of the "Modern" Masons , struck but a short time after the schism , and before the "Ancients" had assumed any . This is , as far as 1 know , the earliest use of these arms upon a medal . It is supposed to have been struck about 1740 , but the precise date is not

known . A lodge was chartered at Hamburg in 1733 by the Earl of Strathmore , Grand Master of the Modern Masons , but did not commence work until 1737 . The lodge is still in existence , and bears the name of Absolom of the Three Nettles . There has been a re-strike oi this medal , and I have been fortunate enough to obtain a specimen of both the original and re-strike . On Marvin ' s 26 appears the

arms of the Grand Lodge of Canada , derived from those of the United Grand Lodge of England . This one displays the Arms of the Grand Lodge of Scotland in its earlier days , and it must have been struck prior to the year 1756 , as the seal of the Grand Lodge of Scotland in that year has these arms impaled with the Lion of Scotland . A French medal bears modification of the last mentioned arms . An

Bro. G. L. Shackles, P.M., P.P.S.G.D., On Masonic Medals.

American medal struck on the dedication of the Masonic Temple in New York , in June , 1 S 75 , under the authority of the Grand Lodge , for the benefit of its Widow ' s and Orphan Fund , bears the arms of the Grand Lodge of New York , which are virtually those of the "Antients" before the Union . Our English Masonic halfpenny shows them as formerly used in England , and others might still be

mentioned . The general use of these arms , which vary in the arrangements of colour , crest , or other points of difference , renders it necessary , for the student of Masonic medals to study their origin and history , allhough it will be evident to all who are familiar with the laws of heraldry that such laws have been frequently ignored altogether by those who prepared the dies . Where they have been followed with

knowledge and care , the effect has been very fine . I will now describe some of the most interesting ones in the collection , and relate shortly the history of their origin oroE the persons in whose honour they were issued . This one you will observe has the bust of the Prince of Wales , the Grand Master , in his collar and jewels . The inscription on the reverse reads "Installation of H . R . H . Albert

Edward , Prince of Wales , as Grand Master of English Freemasons , April 28 th , 1 S 75 . Loyalty and Charity . " It is but an indifferent specimen of the engraver's art and not worthy of the occasion on which it was struck . I have one here which is a curiosity in its way . It looks more like a jewel than a medal , but it has really been struck in a die , and the " field " or body of the medal between the emblems

subsequently cut out . It bears the date of 17 S 3 , and was probably issued as a member ' s jewel . You will observe the obverse is similar to the reverse except that the emblems are reversed . You will doubtless remember that a Masonic Exhibition was held about two years ago in the Town Hall at Worcester . A medal was struck in commemoration of that event , which bears on the obverse a shield charged

with the arms of the City of Worcester and Sir Edward Lechmeie , the Prov . Grand Master , who opened the Exhibition . The medal is a fine one , both as to design and execution . Another Masonic Exhibition was also held at Shanklin , in the Isle of Wight , and a medal was issued to commemorate it . It is also a very fine one , and bears on the obverse the arms of VV . VV . Beach , Esq ., the Prov .

Grand Master , and on the reverse a representation of Shanklin Chine , or Waterfall . About 1790 a number of halfpenny tokens were issued in Birmingham in consequence of the scarcity of coppers at that time , and 1 have here a numberof them ; they are of interest to a Masonic collector in consequence of the obverse , which is charged with the

arms of the Athol Masons , and as a legend or inscription 24 th November , 1790 , Prince of Wales elected Grand Master . All these tokens differ only in the edge readings , and someof them are very rare . Theiast of the English series that I will bring before your notice are those issued during the present year in honour of the Queen ' s Jubilee . ( To be continued . )

Board Of Benevolence, And Board Of Masters.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE , AND BOARD OF MASTERS .

The monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence and quarterly meeting of the Board of Masters was held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Robert Grey , P . G . D ., and President of the Board , presided . Bro . James Brett , P . G . P ,, and Senior Vice-President , occupied the Senior Vice-President ' s cnair , and Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P ., Junior Vice-President , took the Junior

Vice-President's seat . There were also present Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary ; A . A . Pendlebury , Assistant Grand Secretary ; W . Dodd , W . H . Lee , Walter Hopekirk , VV . P . Brown , Charles Dairy , F . R . Spaull , Henry Garrod , David D . Mercer , W . H . Perryman , J . H . Matthews , Henri Bue , G . A . Cundy , A . C . Woodward , George Read , G . P . Britten , R . J . Taylor , Frederick Mend ,

P . G . S . B . ; G . E . Haslip , T . J . Railing , P . A . G . D . C ; Frederick Binckes , P . G . S . B . ; Thomas Cull , Walter Morrow , Thomas Champion , C . H . Webb , Thomas James , W . H . Rohrs , H . Curman , George Gardner , William Coleman , C . W . Kennedy , Richard Josey , Frederick J . Wray , VV . Greenwood , H . Dickey , George Allen , W . Spiegel , VV . Temple , S . Smout , Charles Kempton , VV . Hill , lames G .

Thomas , J . Newham , Charles Vile , Alfred J . Cotter , VV . J . Forscutt , Henry Cattermole , H . Massey , Harry Tipper , B . Kauffman , J . T . Rowe , Charles W . Smith , VV . Procter , J . C . Edmonds , Geo . R . Langley , W . A . Scurrah , John H . Gregory , C . J . Cuthbertson , A . E . Birch , Edward Austin , Henry Patient , Frank Rothschild , Carl Leopold von Bibra ,

W . Lake , E . St . Clair . W . Murrin , VV . J . Bassett , Jas . T . Ford , J . G . Milbourn , N . B . Headon , George J . Earney , J . R . Dunlop , F . S . Weston , R . H . Rogers , W . Grunell , George Skudder , R . La Feuillade , Robert Martin , George Bugler , W . H . Marston , Arthur E . Gladwell , David Hart , T . Bull , J . T . Dobbs , H . Brock , and H . Sadler , G . Tyler ,

The Board of Masters was first held , at which the paper of business for the next Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge was submitted to the brethren . At the Board of Benevolence , as this was the last time the present constituted Board would meet , Bro . BRITTEN proposed , as a graceful act , that a vote of thanks be recorded on the minutes to Bro . Robert Grey ,

President , for the admirable way in which he had conducted the business of the Board since his appointment . The motion was seconded and carried . Bro . ROBERT GREY thanked the brethren , and informed them that they started that night £ Soo in debt . The brethren first confirmed recommendations made to the Grand Master at last meeting of the Board to the

extent of £ 480 . The new list , contained the names of 62 petitioners from lodges in London , Birmingham , Middleton , Newport ( Isle of Wight ) , South Shields , Dover , King Williams Town ( South Africa ) , Wigton , Withington , Canterbury , Ryde , Upper Mill ( Yorkshire ) , Rochford , Great Yarmouth , Gibraltar , Ipswich , Brightlingsea , Gravesend , Leicester , Huddersfield , Plymouth , Calcutta , Bolton , Newton Moor , Newchurch , Peshawur , Hanley , Harwich ,

and Uinapore . Nine cases were deferred , being incomplete , and three were dismissed . The remaining fifty were relieved with a total of £ 1255 . This wascomposed of two recommendations to Grand Lodge of £ 100 each , one of £ 75 , and three of £ 50 each ; one recommendation to the M . W . G . M . for X * 4 0 ' , eight for £ 30 each , and one for £ 25 ; eighteen grants of £ 20 each , two of £ 15 each , thirteen of £ 10 each , and one of £ 5 . The Board sat till nearl y eleven o'clock ,