SP64 1868 France Napoleon III silver Specimen "Le Havre Maritime Exhibition" Medal

Awarded to Thomas Silver of New York for Regular Marine. Conjoined busts of Napoleon III and the Imperial Prince left, legends around; Reverse: Crowned arms of Le Havre, supported by serpents holding tridents right and trident and caduceus left, divided nine-line inscription, four-line inscription in exergue within rectangular boarder, wreath below, legend around. A handsomely engraved medal with intricate details and lovely rich patina, clearly an example which sat for a prolonged period of time undisturbed.

According to the Catalogue of ship models and marine engineering in the South Kensington Museum, there are a series of models in brass of Governors for land and marine steam engines, and other inventions by Thomas Silver of Philadelphia circa 1876. Apparently after winning this award, Silver had moved to Philadelphia and began working on designs. The catalog also notes that "These governors designed by Thomas Silver of Philadelphia are intended principally for controlling the marine engines of screw steamships and preventing what is technically known as 'racing.' They were adopted for use by the British Admiralty in 1869."