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George IV, Plymouth Dockyard renamed Devonport, 1824, Copper Medal, by R Ellis and J Ramsey,
Obverse: Neptune stands in sea chariot (with a central medallic bust of the King), pointing towards the dockyard and ships behind him, Fame with trumpet flies abov
Reverse: Dedication inscription in twelve lines
Bronze
Diameter: 55mm
Weight: 69.7g
(BHM 1244; Eimer 1175)
Plymouth Dockyard had been an important naval base since Drake sailed from there to defeat the Spanish Armada. The town that grew around the dockyard was called Plymouth Dock until 1823, when the townspeople petitioned for it to be renamed Devonport. This was granted and the medal was issued, as the words of the reverse explain, IN GRATEFUL COMMEMORATION OF THE CONDESCENSION OF HIS MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY GEORGE IV, WHO CONFERRED UPON THE TOWN FORMERLY KNOWN AS PLYMOUTH DOCK THE NAME OF DEVONPORT.
Collection : Distinctive World Medals