BRITISH INDIA: AR medal (20.98g), ND, 34mm, Temperance medal, TOTAL ABSTINENCE MEDAL INDIA around two native women with water pots; one standing with pot on head and the other sitting // TOTAL ABSTINENCE ASSOCIATION FOUNDED 1862 around, WATCH / AND / BE SOBER in reverse center, awarded to Mrs. H. Jackson, with original attachment loop, EF. As stated on the reverse side of this silver medal, the Total Abstinence Society was established in India in 1862. As implied by the organization's name it was intended to promote the abstinence of alcohol consumption. It was the forerunner of the slightly later Army Temperance Association of India which was established in 1897 and both organizations issued virtually identical medals with only a variation in wording between the two. These medals were sometimes engraved with the recipient's name in the manner of campaign medals of the period. These medals did not receive Royal sanction for wear, but are often seen being worn on a soldier's right breast in period photographs. Abstinence, temperance and other fraternal medals varied greatly in appearance and the high quality of this example is of nearly the same quality as official campaign medals, although slightly smaller in size. These medals originally had a pale blue silk ribbon measuring about 30mm wide.
Estimate: USD 75 - 100