Object Status:
Unlocated
Accession Date:
September 1775
Primary Source Reference:
Du Simitière Memorandum Books, Library of Congress, fol. 4v
Notes:
This was one of a set of thirteen tokens from the Sentimental Magazine, commemorating Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658). From an advertisement in the Bath Journal, Monday, March 29th, 1773: "The Sentimental Magazine. A NEW MAGAZINE, With every Number of which will be given a curious MEDAL, struck on fine Metal, about the Size and Weight of a Guinea, executed by Mr. KIRKE [John Kirk (1724-1776)], who is universally esteemed the First Artist in London in his Profession. This Medal will of itself, exclusive of the Magazine, be Worth at least Half-a-Crown; it will represent some reigning Toast, some Great Personage, some Hero celebrated in the Annals of our own Kingdom, or in those of the Continent, some Patriot, or some uncommon literary Genius." See also Martin Warburton, Sentimental Magazine Medals (2018).
The donor, Francis Hopkinson (1737-1791), was an author, composer, delegate to Congress and signer of the Declaration of Independence, and a federal judge.
