Historic medal found among coin collection

Jeffrey Stead discovered the medal dating back to 1880 while getting his collection ready for sale.

“I was going through a lot of old coins which I had and I just found it,” he said.

“I’ve no idea how it came to be there at all. It’s a collection that’s grown over many years.”

The inscription around the outer edge of the medal reads: “Centenary of Sunday Schools 1880 Robert Raikes.”

A portrait of a man – possibly Robert Raikes himself – is engraved in the centre.

A second section reads: “Huddersfield Lockwood Wesleyan August 14th 1880.”

Mr Stead, 87, of Leeds Road, Chidswell, said he wondered whether any Reporter readers knew anything about the medal’s significance or if a local organisation would want to have it for display.

He added: “I thought it might be of interest to someone.”

Anyone with information on its history or who is interested in the medal can pass their details on to Mr Stead through the Reporter on 01924 487110.