103404 | GREAT BRITAIN. Balloon School Royal Engineers silvered copper Medal.

103404  |  GREAT BRITAIN. Farnborough Balloon School Royal Engineers silvered copper Medal. Issued circa 1907 (32mm, 11h). By Arthur Fenwick in Birmingham.

 

• H • M • EDWARD • VII • KING • H • M • ALEXANDRA • QUEEN / PROCLAIMED 1901, crowned and mantled jugate busts of Edward and Alexandra left // BALLOON SCHOOL ROYAL ENGINEERS, dirigible Nulli Secundus (British Army Dirigible No 1) flying left above townscape.

 

BHM 3697; Eimer –; Joos 1.260; Button –; Fearon 358.4. PCGS MS-62. Lustrous and highly brilliant, with some alluring iridescence spread throughout.

 

Though the obverse is clearly meant for the proclaiming of Edward VII and Alexandra as the reigning monarchs following the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, the reverse commemorates the Balloon School Royal Engineers, who were not formed until 1907. As such, it would appear that Fenwick paired this reverse with an earlier type with no real connection. Nevertheless, an early and very interesting British aviation-related type that has a tie-in to the coronation of the sovereign.

 

Upload: 20 January 2026.