Lot 289
Medal of the Beggar's Benison,
Auction: 8 December 2004 at 12:00 GMT
Description
silver-gilt, of oval form with suspension loop. Obverse: naked male and female figures with a lion and bower, inscribed BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY. Reverse: sleeping figure of venus, with attendant cupid, approached by Adonis, inscribed LOSE NO OPPORTUNITY
Dimensions
Height 4.3cm including suspension hoop
Footnote
The Beggar's Benison was a gentlemen's drinking club with an overt libertarian nature founded in the East Neuk of Fife in the mid 18th century. It can be compared in character to England's more famous Hellfire Club. According to Stevenson the dies for this medal are in the collections of the National Museums of Scotland. It is believed that medals such as this were given to, or purchased by, existing members of the club in 1826 - the date 5826 (from the supposed creation of the world in 4000 BC) being the one used by the Beggar's Benison to denote AD 1826.
Stevenson The Begger's Benison East Linton 2001