Wollaston Medal

The Wollaston Medal is a scientific award for geology and the highest award granted by the Geological Society of London, the oldest geological society in the world.

The medal is named after William Hyde Wollaston, and was first awarded in 1831.

It was originally made of gold (1831–1845), then palladium, a metal discovered by Wollaston (1846–1860).

It was switched to gold again from 1861 to 1929, and then back to palladium from 1930 to present.

Source:Geological Society