George II. 1727-1760. Silver Medal 1736, 20.41 g. Jernegan's Lottery. By J. Tanner. Minerva standing between military trophies and emblems of the Arts and Sciences. BOTH HANDS FILL'D FOR BRITAIN. In exergue: GEORGE REIGNING. Rv. Caroline, royally robed, waters a grove of young palm-trees. GROWING ARTS ADORN EMPIRE. In exergue: CAROLINE PROTECTING . 1736. Plain edge. 38.7 mm. Eimer 537. MI ii 517/72. Fast vorzüglich / About Extremely Fine. Feine Patina / Nicely toned. Randfehler / Edge nick.

From the auction Frankfurter Münzhandlung 151, Frankfurt a. M., June 1999, lot 416.

Jernegan's Lottery of 1736 was a notable event in 18th-century Britain, associated with a unique silver medal commemorating the lottery and its patrons. The lottery was organized by Henry Jernegan, a prominent London goldsmith and banker, to fund the creation of a silver cistern (a large ornamental vessel). Lottery tickets were sold to the public, and purchasers received a silver medal as a commemorative token.

The lottery and its medal reflected the growing popularity of lotteries in 18th-century Britain as a means of raising funds for public and private projects. The design of the medal also subtly referenced Britain's colonial interests, particularly in the Americas, as seen in the depiction of palm trees, which were symbolic of the plantations in the colonies.