INDIA. Gold Medal, 1805. PCGS Genuine--Edge Repaired, AU Details Secure Holder.British India (Bengal). Fort William College (Calcutta) Honorary Medal in Gold, 1805. 43 mm. 52.28 gms. Pud-800.2 (RR). A large, impressive medal with a mosque to the left, a pagoda to the right, a sailing ship in the distance between, and a radiant sun above. The inscription: "REDIT A NOBIS AURORA DIEMQUE REDUCIT" surrounds, and "IV MAY MDCCC" appears in the exergue. Reverse: The inscription: "COLLEGE OF FORT WILLIAM FEBY. VI MDCCCV / HONARY / MEDAL" is enclosed within a simple laurel wreath. The reverse of these medals were individually dated, in the die, each time one was awarded. The example in Puddester bears the date FEBY. VII MDCCCVII, but otherwise is the same as this medal. Originally the College of Fort William (1800 - 1854) concentrated in the instruction of Indian History, Law and Language, but later became a school for various Oriental languages. The grade description notes an edge repair (probably where a suspension loop had been mounted), but it is now apparently covered by one of the slabs tabs. Sharply struck, lustrous and quite attractive.
