James Bisset's Medal

Contributed by Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum

This silver medal was issued by James Bisset. It was minted in Leamington Spa between 1820 and 1825. The reverse of the medal gives the distances of bathing places, including Leamington, from London. In the 1820s regular stage coaches transported people from London to Leamington.

James Bisset (1761 - 1832) was one of the key figures in the development of Leamington as a spa town. He was born in Scotland but moved to Leamington in 1812 where he established a library, newsroom, museum and picture gallery on Clemens Street. In 1819 he built a new museum on the High Street where he housed his collection of Curiosities. Bisset also promoted the town through verse and in his 'Descriptive Guide of Leamington Priors', 1814.

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  • 1. At 14:34 on 22 September 2010, challenger70 wrote:

    This is a great looking piece, do you know what metal it is made from and how many were struck?

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