Blackpool Tower Medallion

Obverse of Blackpool Tower Medallion

Reverse of Blackpool Tower Medallion

Obverse
The obverse (head side) shows a completed Blackpool Tower with all its buildings.
The inscriptions read:
BLACKPOOL TOWER
HEIGHT 450 FEET
MAXWELL & TUKE
ARCHITECTS

Reverse
The reverse shows a coat of arms we have never seen before for Blackpool, with a pigeon flying left above a quartered shield, in respective quarters there are a pier, a bathing hut, a three masted sailing ship, and what looks like a rowing boat.
A ribbon beneath bears the usual Blackpool motto PROGRESS The inscriptions in seven lines read:
FOUNDATION STONE LAID
SEPT. 25TH 1891
BY
SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY
BART. M.P.
JOHN BICKERSTAFFE
MAYOR

Gold & Silver Versions?
We have also seen one of these medallions which appears to be gold, probably nine carat. It is unhallmarked but with obvious evidence of acid testing by a jeweller, including some rather heavy handed filing and scarping. It was boxed and accompanied by a hand written note stating that it was given to the directors of the Blackpool Tower Company, and that a silver version was given to Blackpool Corporation. Its owner informed us that only one each was issued in these two metals. Any further information on this would be appreciated.

Update July 2023
We have just had another opportunity to see the previously mentioned gold version.
We also got chance to test it, and can state that it tests as 18ct gold. We were also able to photograph it, and will publish photos of it later.
I also noticed an error on the medallion. It states the height as 450 feet. The commonly accepted height is actually 518 feet, and 9 inches. It is possible that 450 feet was the planned or intended height, but for whatever reason this was changed during construction.

Provenance
According to a document provided by amounderness.co.uk, only one gold, and one silver version of this medallion "was struck and presented to...", although I do not take this as absolute proof that only one of each was ever struck.
Suprisingly, the current owner bought it via ebay in 2017, for a bargain price of £49.99 plus £3.80 postage, a total of £53.79. It seems the previous owner did not realise it was gold. If we had been offered this medal in May 2017, we would have been happy to pay between £800 and £850, depending on the exact gold price at the time and on the day. Ebay is not always the best place to sell things!

Local Medallions
This is only one of many local medallions issued as commemoratives, but largely for advertising purposes in pre T.V. days.
We have shown it on our website for general and local historical interest.

If you want to find the value of a coin you own, please take a look at our page I've Found An Old Coin, What's It Worth?