Victoria, 1837-1901. Gold Medal 1887, 30.11 g. Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Ladies issue, with clasp for 1897. By C. Emptmeyer, after J. E. Boehm. Bust, diademed and veiled. VICTORIA D . G . REGINA ET IMPERATRIX F . D. Rv. In wreath. IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 50TH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF QUEEN VICTORIA 21 JUNE 1887. Crown above. Plain edge. 30.5 mm. Eimer 1736 var. BHM 3232 var. Sehr selten / Very rare. Sehr schön / Very Fine. Mit Henkel und Band / Loop with ribbon in bow.

From the auction Baldwin's of St James's 43, London, March 2020, lot 644.
From the Family collection of H.R.H. The Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (1900-1974), auction Christie's, December 2019, lot 11.

The Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria was celebrated on 20 and 21 June 1887 to mark the 50th anniversary of Queen Victoria's accession on 20 June 1837. It was celebrated with a Thanksgiving Service at Westminster Abbey, ignoring the Biblical tradition that the start of the fiftieth year should be celebrated. Instead Victoria celebrated the completion with a banquet to which fifty European kings and princes were invited.

133 examples of this medal were issued in gold to members of the Royal family and their personal guests who were involved in the Jubilee celebrations on 21 June 1887. It would seem reasonable to speculate that Prince Henry inherited the medal from his mother, Queen Mary, who, as Princess Mary of Teck, attended the celebrations in 1887 with her parents the Duke and Duchess of Teck and her three brothers, the Princes Adolphus, Francis and Alexander.