A wonderful find; several variations of this medal were produced in 1770 upon the death of George Whitefield and circulated both in England and in the United States, where his ministry, along with that of Jonathan Edwards, virtually defined the Great Awakening. 

Measuring 33mm, the present is well-worn, though perhaps a unique charm in that it was an actual "in use" artifact, having been punctured and used as a watch fob for what must have been someone's entire lifetime if we look at the wear. It is the kind that could only be produced by decades of handling. Had its owner come to know Christ under Whitefield's powerful preaching? What made him or her choose this medallion as their constant companion through life? Its condition speaks to us something of the power of Whitefield as a person and as a Christian cultural icon of the period. 

The front bears a bust image of Whitefield surrounded by the raised text, "Revd George Whitefield." The present copy, pierced from rear to front and at what would be the top of the rear image, was likely meant to be worn with the rear side forward. The rear, quite heavily handled, shows an angel or a woman with a cross leaning on the large tomb of Whitefield. Around the outside it reads, "A Good Soldier of Christ. An Israelite Indeed" and bears his date of death on the tomb itself.