engraved byLeornard C. Wyon1851Fineness: 18K. Grade: Prooflike, in the original fitted box of issue; a few light rub marks, otherwise as struck. Obverse Description: Bust of Joseph Neeld, facing left, JOSEPHUS NEELD SCHOLAE HARROVIENSIS CUSTOS ATQUE GUBERNATOR. around. Reverse Description: Laurel wreath, open at top, DILIGENTIAE INSTUD MATHEMAT PRAEMIUM ANNUUM JOSEPHUS NEELD HARROVIENSIS HARROVIENSIBUS PROPOSUIT A.S. MDCCCLI. Edge Inscription or Markings: engraved JAMES THEODORE BEST, 1880. Historical or Other Relevant Background: Harrow is an independent school for boys (aged 13-18), and is located in Harrow on the Hill in the London Borough of Harrow. It was founded in 1572 under a Royal Charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I. It is widely known for its close competition, both sporting and academic, with Eton College and also other private schools. Harrow currently has approximately 800 pupils, all of whom board full-time at a cost of &pound;24,825 per year. Harrow has a large number of well known alumni, including seven former British Prime Ministers (most notably Winston Churchill), and the first Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. In addition, 19 Old Harrovians have been awarded the Victoria Cross.<br /><br />This medal is specifically described in detail in the book &ldquo;An Olla Podrida, or Scraps Numismatic, Antiquarian and Literary&rdquo; by Richard Sainthill published in 1853. In his introduction, Sainthill celebrates this as an example &ldquo;of high excellence in medallic art&rdquo;. He then describes this in greater detail as being <em>"the Prize-medal for Mathematics at Harrow, and bears on the obverse the bust of the founder of the premium, Joseph Neeld, Esq., one of the governors of this celebrated foundation; and those scholars who obtain it will have the double pleasure of possessing a testimony of their own successful studies and a splendid specimen of medallic portraiture. It has great depth and breadth of effect, exquisite taste in the arrangement of the hair, and surpassing delicasy and finish and finish of execution. Nature has bestowed on Mr. Neeld an unusually fine profile for a medal &ndash; earnest and intellectual; and Art has most successfully put forth her powerful capabilities to hand down the knowledge of it, and of herself, to other and distant times."</em>. Attribution Location: L. C. WYON FEC. below bust.Great Britaingold54.845