This medal is the first in the series of medals issued by the Corporation of the City of London to commemorate important events. The event in this case was the opening of a new bridge over the River Thames. Two medals were issued to commemorate the opening of this new bridge, this one and a smaller one, minted in silver, bronze and white metal (Welsh # 2). It is believed that 700 specimens were struck of this and the following medal together. A specimen in gold was presented to the King at the opening ceremony by the chairman of the committee.

The earliest bridge over the Thames at London was built more than a thousand year ago, and since then the bridge has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. A brief history of the bridge over the Thames can be found in the description of the following medal which, like this one, was issued in 1831, the year the bridge was opened.