Description
QUEBEC Montreal Catholic Commercial Academy Edward Murphy Prize 45mm bronze medal 56.33 grams Leroux 1100, Breton 123, McLachlan 177
Obverse: Murphy facing left, EDWARD MURPHY * DONOR * FOUNDED A: D: 1873 / J.S. & A.B. WYON
Reverse: wreath of maple with shamrocks above and a beaver, CATHOLIC COMMERCIAL ACADEMY / MONTREAL / FOR THE / ENCOURAGEMENT / OF / COMMERCIAL / EDUCATION
The Wyon family die-sinking business founded by George Wyon in Birmingham in the late 18th century. His son Thomas (senior) moved to London about 1800 and in 1831 he was succeeded by his son Benjamin. The latter (d. 1858) was in turn succeeded by his own sons Joseph Shepherd Wyon and Alfred Benjamin Wyon, who joined in partnership in 1865, until Joseph's death in 1873. Medal manufacturers from 1873, under Joseph Shepherd and Alfred Benjamin Wyon.
The Board of Catholic School Commissioners operated the Catholic Commercial Academy and taught both day pupils and night school classes in the areas of bookkeeping, banking operations, exchange customs, commercial calculation, calligraphy. Their principal in 1875 was A. E. Archambault and they were situated at 699 St Catherine St.. There were a series of prizes offered at the 1895 graduation ceremonies. Starting with the Peter S. Murphy prizes which were book prizes valued at $1., $2. and $3. There was also a a bronze medal and $15. awarded. The next awards were the Hon. Edward Murphy prizes (endowment) consisting of two bronze medals and a $15. Award, plus a silver medal and $50. There was also the Comte award of $50. , and a gold medal the gift of Messrs. Lessard & Harris, plus a gold cross, the gift of the Hon. Boucher de La Bruere, Superintendent of Education, plus Quebec Lieutenant Governor the Hon. Joseph A. Chapleau bronze medal award.
Senator Edward Murphy of Frothingham & Workman established the award for the encouragement of commercial education. At the time of his death in 1895 he was the president of the Montreal City and District Savings Bank. He was a member of both the Natural History Society and the Montreal Numismatic and Antiquarian Society.
