| Spink > Auction 23129 | Auction date: 26 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 10059 Price realized: Unsold | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Formation of the Free British Fishery Society, AE Medal, 1750, by L. Koch, FREDERICK PRINCE OF WALES GOVERNOR OF THE SOCIETY., draped bust right, rev. FOR THE ADVANTAGE OF GREAT BRITAIN, fishermen on shore with nets and barrels, trawler at sea hauling in nets, FREE BRIT . FISHERV EV A SOCIETY ESTABL. 1750., in exergue in three lines, 40mm, 34.41g (MI ii 659/365; Eimer 629), some very light contact marking in otherwise pleasingly glossy and lustrous fields, light brown surfaces, extremely fine. Provenance, Spink, Auction 3270, 14th July 2021, lot 182 - $ 130, , In 1750 the small fishing town of Southwold, Suffolk positioned on the North Sea coastline and at the mouth of the river Blyth was chosen to be the headquarters of the Free British Fishery Society. The object of the Act of Parliament was to revive the nation's fishing industry and to challenge Dutch supremacy in deep-sea herring fishing. A sum of £500,000 was provided to support the endeavour, equivalent to almost £100 million today. Frederick Prince of Wales was also appointed as Governor. Despite initial investment to infrastructure for the industry, it proved to be a short-lived boom. By 1772, the remnants of the Fishery's assets based in Southwold were put up for auction at the Old Swan Inn, fetching £6,391 - all that remained of the original investment. , This medal was struck in 1750 by the Free British Fishery to honour its founding Governor, Frederick Prince of Wales. Frederick died in March the following year and a new medal was struck in honour of his successor, George William Frederick, Prince of Wales, later to become King George III. Estimate: £120 - £150 |  |
