NUMISMAGRAM MEDAL SELECTIONS: OCTOBER 2020

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V23 2020 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 23, Number 40, October 4, 2020, Article 19

Jeremy Bostwick at Numismagram sent along these highlights from his most recent October upload of new material. Outside of these interesting artistic endeavors, there are a number of architectural and expo-themed medals. Later this month, he will be adding some Halloween-related exonumia, so stay tuned to numismagram.com/inventory for all of these new additions. -Editor

101139 | FRANCE & GERMANY. Corbara, Corsica silver Trench Art. Engraved on an undated French Franc

(23mm, 4.47 g, 12 h). ANDENKEN AN DEN KRIEG (souvenir of the war) / • 1914 CORBARA 1918 •, façade of the tower at the Couvent Saint-Dominique de Corbara, with a view toward the Mediterranean Sea / REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE, Marianne advancing left, sowing seeds; rising sun in background. Edge: Reeded. Cf. KM 844.1 (for host coin). Engraving & host coin: Choice Extremely Fine. Pleasing deep gray toning. $285.

We associate the internment of citizens during wartime as a WWII aspect with Japanese-Americans, but the practice in fact existed during WWI as well, with France using the practice toward 'enemy aliens' on the island of Corsica and utilizing the convent at Corbara represented on this interesting piece of trench art from the first world war.

Crude work, but that's the unique charm of trench art. This one is much better executed than most. Nicely done. -Editor

Issued circa 1894 (engraved 1898). Issued and presented to Alfred Saunders on 26 September 1898 (68mm, 209.35 g, 12h). HOLBORN / RESTAURANT ESTd 1874, interior view of the restaurant with guests standing between columns; decorative plants and sculptures around / Elaborate interior view of the restaurant with guests dancing; decorative plants and friezes around; on ribbon below, PRESENTED BY THE PROPRIETORS "To Alfred Saunders Sep 26th 1898." Edge: Plain. Taylor 207a; BHM 2990; Eimer 1640. Choice Mint State. Warm brown surfaces; thickness: 10mm. $195.

Established in 1874, the Holborn Restaurant, billed as adding a "spice of poetry to the dull prose of every day life," was located near the corner of Little Queen Street and, rather appropriately, Holborn. Gradual expansions led to more additions to the restaurant, which were fully connected in 1894. Of note, the British Chess Federation was founded there in 1904, and, in 1908, during the London Olympic games, numerous banquets for the participating athletes were held there. In 1955, the entire group of buildings was demolished.

This design is extremely busy, cramming a huge number of elements into both sides. Amazing amount of work. The architectural perspective seems off, but it's still an impressive piece. -Editor

101260 | RUSSIA. St. Petersburg. St. Isaac's Metropolitan Church bronze Medal.

Issued 1858. Most Remarkable Edifices of Europe series (59mm, 84.59 g, 12h). By J. Wiener in Brussels and struck at the Geerts mint in Ixelles. СОБОРЪ СВ ИСААКΙЯ ДАΛМАТСКАГО ВЪ С. ПЕТЕРБУРГЪ / ÉGLISE ST ISAAC À ST PETERSBOURG BATIE PAR PIERRE LE GRAND 1717–1727. INCENDIÉE 1735. POSE DE LA 1E PIERRE DE L'ÉGLISE ACTUELLE PAR ALEXANDRE I 1819. CONSACRÉE PAR ALEXANDRE II 1858, three-quarter exterior view of the church building / Interior view looking down the nave from a vantage point just to the right of the center aisle. Edge: Plain. Ross M210 (R3); van Hoydonck 158; Reinecke 57. Mint State. Deep brown surfaces, with some pleasing brilliance remaining. While the overall luster and color are superior to others of this type, a few distractions are noted accounting for a lower designation: some scattered light marks in the upper obverse field, a light scratch in the reverse exergue near the signature, and a minor dig in the central part of the roof on the reverse. Nevertheless, highly attractive for this very rare and desirable issue. Compare to a somewhat inferior example in Stack's Bowers April 2020 CCO, lot 30015 (which sold for a total of $960). $965.

From what is today eastern Netherlands and western Germany, the Wieners were a Jewish family of exceptional medalists, especially known for numerous numismatic works throughout the Kingdom of Belgium. Eldest brother Jacques, along with younger brothers Leopold and Charles, created some of the finest works of medallic art of the 19th century, and all are particularly noted for their work in the highly detailed and intricate work of architectural renderings.

Great architectural medal - the artist does an amazing job of conveying an immense space in a small surface. -Editor

101362 | UNITED STATES. Alaska–Yukon–Pacific Exposition bronze award Medal.

Issued 1909. Presented at the expo for the "gold" award (71mm, 178.82 g, 12h). By F. Ziegler for Gorham Manufacturing Co. – ALASKA • YUKON • PACIFIC • EXPOSITION – / 1909 • SEATTLE • 1909, Columbia seated facing, holding branch and plaque with bust of George Washington, and with foot set upon cornucopia; Native American in canoe to lower left, two prospectors to right; steamship and rising sun in background / Ornate plaque inscribed GOLD MEDAL and with the lower panel left blank for engraving; all within floral wreath. Edge: Plain. Mint State Details. Charming light brown-bronze surfaces, though some light cleaning in a few spots and a minor edge knock are noted for completeness; nevertheless, great quality for the type. $395.

Meant to cast a spotlight upon the development of the Pacific Northwest, the Alaska–Yukon–Pacific expo was originally slated for 1907 in order to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Klondike gold rush. When the expo's organizers became aware of the Jamestown Exposition (celebrating the 400th anniversary of the city's founding), they opted to move it back two years so as not to compete. The expo was open from 1 June–16 October 1909, with over 3.7 million patrons passing through the gates. Following the show's completion, the campus of the University of Washington took the place of the former buildings and grounds.

Very detailed obverse design. There's a lot there, but it's pulled off well - it doesn't appear busy despite the large number of elements. -Editor