The centenary of the death of William Morris was marked in the Centenary medal for 1996.

The obverse of this medal was designed by Royal Mint engraver, Robert Elderton, and features a cameo portrait of the eminent Victorian artist surrounded by a representation of one of his famous wallpaper designs, Willow Bough. Identified around the design are the varied interests for which he is best remembered.

The eldest son of a wealthy businessman, William Morris was born on 24 March 1834 at Walthamstow - then just a village, close to Epping Forest. He was also one of the best known and most prolific of Victorian poets, writing as many as 1000 words of verse in a day.