A Linnean Society Brass Darwin-Wallace Medal by Frank Boucher, 1908
With bust of Darwin facing left, LINN: SOC: LOND. 1858 - 1908 around, below, DARWIN; the reverse with bust of Wallace facing right, LINN: SOC: LOND. 1858 - 1908 around, below, WALLACE
The medal commemorates the semi-centenary of the publication by the Linnean Society of Darwin and Wallace's joint paper, On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties; and on the Perpetuation of Varieties and Species by Natural Means of Selection. A celebration was held at Burlington House on the 1st of July, 1908 where Wallace was presented a version of the medal in gold. Six silver medals were also presented to other distinguished scientists including Joseph Dalton Hooker and August Weismann. In 1958, twenty of the same silver medals with altered dates were awarded and further five in 2008.
For details of the 1908 presentation see Darwin-Wallace Celebrations held on 1 July 1908 by the Linnean Society of London, London, 1908.