Abyssinia Medal

The Royal Mint Museum has an Abyssinia Medal of 1867-68 named on the reverse to R A Hill, Chief Coiner. The medal is of interest because of its association with a well-known Royal Mint official, someone who, as head of production for 30 years during the second half of the 19th century, was an important figure in Royal Mint history.

But the medal is also interesting from another point of view. With the Abyssinia Medal the name of the recipient was stamped in relief on the reverse, which required the making of special composite dies with detachable centres. This particular specimen, named to the man responsible for achieving this technical feat, may well have been a trial piece to see if this unusual method of production would work.