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V13 2010 INDEX       E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 13, Number 47, November 21, 2010, Article 12

A MEDAL MADE FROM SPENCE'S METAL

Prince Louis Napoleon medal made from spences metal

Philip Mernick writes:

Further to your earlier articles about materials used for making medals I attach an image of a large medal (146mm) recently acquired. It is of Prince Louis Napoleon, better known as the Prince Imperial. I am still researching Spence's Metal but have determined that

1) It was invented by a Mr Spence of Manchester,

2) It was described as "new" in 1880 and

3) It was not a metal! It was, in fact, a mixture of metal sulphides dissolved in sulphur.

It had the useful properties of a low melting point (a little over 300 degrees Fahrenheit), expanding on cooling, and high resistance to acids (including aqua regia). It was primarily used for sealing joints in iron pipes and I haven't found any references to its use for making medals.

The Prince Imperial (son of exiled Napoleon III of France) was killed in 1879 while serving with the British army in South Africa, so this medal could commemorate that event or be advertising a new product - an International Inventions Exhibition was held in London in 1885.

Interesting item! I've never heard of Spence's metal, and certainly never saw a coin of medal made from it. Have any E-Sylum come across this? -Editor

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
FEATURED WEB SITE: METALS USED IN COINS AND MEDALS (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v13n43a29.html)
ON MATERIALS USED IN COINS AND MEDALS (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v13n44a11.html)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.

To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com

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