1850 Robert Stephenson and the Britannia Tubular Bridge 58mm copper medal in case BHM 2402 E1441

Obv: head of Robert Stephenson r. Rev: view of the bridge with a train emerging, left, past the lion guardians, dates in ex., 1846-1850 by Leonard Charles Wyon ex Mrs. Irene “Neddy” Allen Copper 55mm Robert Stephenson (1803-1859), engineer and son of George Stephenson, designed the Britannia Tubular Bridge crossing the Menai Straits to Anglesey to link the port of Holyhead to the railway. It takes its name from the Britannia rock on which the central support was built. Following a fire in 1970 the bridge was converted to carry both road and rail services. The original commission for the medal went to William Wyon and, on his death, it was taken on by his son. There were inevitable delays and the medal wasn’t completed until 1853.