BALDWIN'S 83RD SALE TO BE HELD SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

Baldwin’s Auction 83 will be held on the 24th of September, at the CIPFA Conference Centre, London, in conjunction with Coinex 2013, the UK’s premier numismatic exhibition. The 1383 lots comprise an array of high quality Ancient and World coins and medals from around the globe, and include a stunning selection of coins from Antiquity representing an important numismatic, cultural and artistic era.

A lovely selection of British coins forms the second section of the auction and includes the late Alan Miles Collection of Short Cross Pennies and their Cut Halves. This fabulously formed collection features a number of medieval short cross pennies of King John all of the Moneyer “Miles”; a name that appears at the Oxford and Winchester Mints in the first decade of the 13th Century. These 45 lots represent over forty years of careful accumulation and dedication by Alan Miles to create a collection with outstanding provenance and numismatic value, lot 4242, a Silver Short Cross Penny, class Vbii, Winchester mint, being a particularly fine example. The piece carries a pre-sale estimate of £120-150

Elsewhere in the sale we have a major collection of coins of Ottoman Egypt; this stunning selection comprises coins of excellent quality and rarity from a foremost power of Middle Eastern and world history. The sale closes with a collection of Islamic coins followed by world and commemorative medals including medals with political intrigue and an unusual Wedgewood Creamware Portrait Medallion, c.1790, Lot 5374, Louis-Marie, Vicomte de Noailles (1756-1804), French General and Politicians amongst other fine examples from across history and the globe. This beautiful piece carries an estimate of £800-1,200

This auction is sold as part of a three day Baldwin’s auction extravaganza alongside The David Fore Collection of Indian Coins (Part three) and The Arielle Collection of British Colonial Coins (Part One). The auctions will take place in London during Coinex 2013, on the 24 – 26 September, at the CIPFA Conference Centre, Robert Street. Catalogues are available online at www.baldwin.co.uk.

WORLD COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS. USA. Lou is-Marie, Vicomte de Noailles (1756-1804), French General and Politician, who served under Lafayette in North America and negotiated Cornwallis’s surrender after Yorktown in 1781, Wedgwood Creamware Portrait Medallion, c.1790, bewigged bust to right, tied in a queue, 87.5mm x 66.5mm, stamped WEDGWOOD on back (Reilly & Savage, 1973, p.260, “previously unrecorded”).

Made with a small piercing to the top (a slight chip where it penetrates the back), much as made and exceptionally rare .

De Noailles, the second son of Marshal de Mouchy, had served in America with Lafayette, his cousin and brother-in-law. He fought with d’Estaing at Savannah, and was present throughout the Yorktown campaign in Virginia where he was entrusted by Washington to be one of those who negotiated the terms of the final surrender. Following his service in the American Revolution he returned to France and was elected in 1789 to the States-General. He presided over the Constituent Assembly in 1791 and proposed the abolition of titles and liveries of the nobility.

Noailles fled to America (by way of England) when the reign of terror started, where he became a wealthy partner in Bingham’s Bank in Philadelphia. He left the bank to accept a command against the English in San Domingo. He was sailing for Havana in Cuba when he encountered a British man-of-war. Although he won the action, he was shot in the chest and died shortly after reaching Havana. The cataloguers are unaware of any metal medallic portraits of de Noailles, nor have they been able to trace any other examples in Creamware in public collections.

The portrait is taken from an engraving by Jean-Baptiste Verité. His painting by Gilbert Stuart hangs in the Metropolitan Museum in New York, whilst the action in which he was killed was painted by Jean Gudin. £800-1200

For more information, or to bid, see: WORLD COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS. USA. Lou is-Marie, Vicomte de Noailles (www.sixbid.com/browse.html?auction=914&category=18802&lot=870894)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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