Medal (Obverse), of the Beggar's Benison Club of Anstruther, Fife

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This is the obverse of a metal medal produced in 1826 by the Beggar's Benison Club. This secretive club was established in Anstruther in Fife in 1732. It was preoccupied with phallic symbolism and fertility rites.

The obverse of the medal has a picture of a naked man holding a spear, standing over a naked woman and child. Behind the figures is a dog. The inscriptions read: 'Beggars Benison, Anstruther' and 'Lose no opportunity'.

Clubs of all kinds were a prominent part of the Scottish social scene in the 18th and 19th centuries. Membership varied depending on whether they were set up for political, debating, literary or simply convivial purposes. Many met at favoured taverns.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-045-969-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.M 102
• Date: 1826
  
• Material: White metal
  Medal, commemorative
  
• Dimensions: 35 mm D
  
• What: Medal, commemorative
  
• Subject: Miscellaneous Medals (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Beggars' Benison Club
  
• Where: Scotland, Anstruther
  
• Event:
• Description: White metal medal of the Beggars' Benison Club of Anstruther, 1826
  
• References:
• Translations:
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