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HERITAGE SALE T. PAINE AND FLOWING HAIR MEDALSMike Dlugosz is selling some interesting material in an upcoming Heritage sale and he submitted the following information about a couple of the medals. Thanks. -Editor
Paine "I Die for This Book" Medallette
 
A very rare Anti-Thomas Paine medalet. Unsigned. Obverse: Thomas Paine hanging dead from a tree; three legends, in the speech bubble I DIE FOR THIS DAMNED BOOK, in the canopy of the tree of liberty TOMMY'S RIGHTS OF MAN, around A TREE IS KNOWN BY ITS FRUIT. The reverse legends read, MAY THE TREE OF LIBERTY EXIST TO BEAR TOMMY'S LAST FRIEND. Toned and with hints of brilliance still clinging to the legends in places, NGC VF30. A touch of honest wear combined with some as-made softness in strike contribute to the numerical grade. Unusual piece. See the related item in this issue about an 1892 public hanging medal. -Editor
To read the complete lot description, see:
1792 French Republic National Convention Medal
 
The “1792 Liberte Francoise bell metal medal” (Maz-318, Maz-318a) was made by French engraver, Andre Galle. The obverse features an adaptation of Liberty inspired by the design of Augustin Dupre's Libertas Americana medal that depicts Liberty with a pileus style liberty cap. On the reverse is an oak wreath inside of which is a dedication, from the United Artists meeting in Lyons, to the National Convention, Pure Bell Metal, Struck in 1792. The reverse suggests these medals were struck, though I've seen descriptions indicating they were actually cast medals - perhaps because of the porosity frequently seen on examples and possibly operating on the assumption that bell medal was too brittle to withstand striking. But, if that were indeed the case then I wonder why Galle didn't choose “moule”, instead of “frappe”, for the reverse legend? In my experience, the majority of these are found XF-AU, fewer MS60-62, 63 is rare, 64's almost never, and there are zero certified 65s. Mazard-318 & 318a were made of recycled metal harvested from bronze bells. The alloy used in bell making is less than ideal for coining. Perhaps a consequence of metal composition and the tools/process used in manufacturing, many specimens suffer from a degree of porosity, noticeable at a distance. The piece presently offered has superior surfaces for this issue. It is very pleasingly toned and Liberty's hair is in full bold detail It is certified PCGS MS-64, tied for the finest graded by either service. Technically it is the finest certified Maz-318a (the slightly harder-to-come-by ‘double weight test' variety). However, PCGS made an error labeling it calling it only Maz-318. The Heritage cataloger noted this in the lot description as well. They should have graded this as an SP-64, Maz-318a. About the artist, Andre Galle (1761-1844)
He spent years as an apprentice in a Lyons button manufactory where he honed his artistic, mechanical and business skills. Eventually, he rose to become head of production at that company. Galle became a master engraver in 1785 and worked for the province of Lyons under that capacity. The 1792 Liberte Francoise bell medal was his first project as an engraver of medals. This medal was a proposition for the recycling of metal from church bells confiscated by the new government. It was a statement from Galle not only showing his skills but also his support for the cause of liberty in France. Simultaneously, he was relating what was happening in France with what happened a few years earlier in America, paying homage to Dupre's and Franklin's Libertas Americana medal. It was a smart move by Galle. He gained favor with important people in government as a result. Baron Dominique Vivant Denon, director of the Lourve Museum and Paris Mint later selected Galle to work on the medallic history of Napoleon series. Interestingly, he also invented and in 1829 patented, the first mass produced roller chain - Galle chain / gear - varieties of which we use today in countless applications where loading, lifting and moving are necessary. He continued to live and work in Paris until his death in 1844. Thanks for the background. Another interesting piece. -Editor
To read the complete lot description, see:
To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
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