NUMISMAGRAM SELECTIONS: APRIL 2021

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V24 2021 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 24, Number 14, April 4, 2021, Article 15

Jeremy Bostwick from Numismagram forwarded along these highlights from his most recent upload of new medallic art to his website. In addition to the items below, look for some alluring Art Nouveau and Art Deco items, along with some exceptionally brilliant and prooflike World War I-themed medals. For all of this month's new pieces, please visit numismagram.com/inventory. -Editor

101594 | FRANCE. Télégraphie sans Fil [Radio] Art Deco bronze Medal.
Issued 1927. The emergence of wireless or radio communication (67mm, 137.86 g, 12h). By P. Dammann in Paris. IRIS, Iris striding right among the clouds, head lowered, holding trident-headed scepter and streamers; in background, zodiacal band with Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Capricorn / View of the Earth, focused upon Europe and Africa, surrounded by hexagonal, segmented antennae, the bottom segment of which is emitting radio waves; stars in the background, T S F [Télégraphie sans Fil = telegraph without wires] below. Edge: «cornucopia» BRONZE. Jones, Art of the Medal, 423. Mint State. Yellow-bronze surfaces, with some very lightly scattered spotting. One of the iconic and rarer Art Deco medallic works of the period. $465.

Following the proof of the existence of electromagnetic waves by German physicist Heinrich Hertz in 1887, a flurry of other scientific minds turned to a new medium for study—the "airwaves." Guglielmo Marconi's invention of the radio, for which he won the 1909 Nobel Prize in Physics, furthered what would become a rapidly growing industry during the first three decades of the 20th century, as communication now need not be reliant upon the connection of wires. Here, Dammann captures this novel technology and pairs it with another movement indicative of its era—the refined, elegant, and geometric artistry that embodies Art Deco.

A great technological achievement. -Editor

101529 | GREAT BRITAIN. Cromwell movie promotional bronze Medal.
Issued 1969 for the Columbia Pictures presentation (89mm, 268.16 g, 12h). Modification of the Second Great Seal of England, the Great Seal of the Commonwealth: • COLUMBIA PICTURES • / • AN IRVING ALLEN PRODUCTION 1969 • / 1651 THE GREAT SEALE OF ENGLAND, partial map of the British Isles: Ireland, Wales, and England; garnished English coat-of-arms in the Irish Sea, garnished Irish coat-of-arms in the Celtic Sea; various ships at sea in the lower waters / • STARRING RICHARD HARRIS AND ALEC GUINNESS • / • • CROMWELL • • / 1651 • IN • THE • THIRD • YEARE • OF • FREEDOME • BY • GODS • BLESSING • RESTORED •, view of parliament in session. Edge: Plain. Gem Mint State. Essentially as issued, though some light scattered spotting is noted. Extremely rare and unusual as a medallic/cinematic crossover item. $465.

Starring Richard Harris in the title role as Oliver Cromwell and Alec Guinness as King Charles I, "Cromwell" is a 1970 historical drama focused upon the turbulent period of the English Civil War and ensuing brief Commonwealth, of which the former played a key role. Though not the most historically accurate in its portrayal of people and events, the movie did receive much praise for the acting of its two major stars. What does remain rather accurate, however, is this rare medal produced at the time that the movie was released. The obverse and reverse parallel the Great Seal designed by Thomas Simon—used in lieu of the seal for the recently beheaded king. For more information on the original, please navigate to this blog post, "Myths Concerning Republicanism 6: The Material Culture of Republican Rule or the Problem of the King's Head:"
http://www.rachelhammersley.com/new-blog/tag/seal+of+the+commonwealth .

Cool motion picture numismatic item. I'd never seen this before. -Editor

101485 | RUSSIA. Moscow Society of Aquarium and Houseplant Lovers silvered bronze Award Medal.
Engraved 1911 (44mm, 33.85 g, 12h). By the Schneider Brothers in Vienna. МОСКОВСКОЕ–ОБЩЕСТВО–ЛЮБИТЕЛЕЙ–АКВАРIУМА и КОМНАТНЫХЪ–РАСТЕНIЙ, goldfish swimming left / Female figure standing facing, holding branch and potted plant; banner bisecting lower half of field engraved in script: "Выставка 1911 г." Edge: Uncertain hallmark. Mint State. Gunmetal gray matte surfaces; a few light marks. A very rare and interesting animal-related medal from the final decade of czarist Russia. $365.

In 1899, a group of members from the Russian Society for Acclimatization formed the "Circle of Aquarium and Terrarium Lovers." The circle was engaged in the popularization of scientific knowledge and the success of aquarists and, in 1905, it was renamed the Moscow Society of Aquarium and Houseplant Lovers. In 1911, the society conducted a large exhibition of aquariums and plant growing—an event held at the Moscow Zoo (Московский зоопарк) and for which this medal was awarded.

Not a topic I've ever seen a medal for before. Sure, why not? -Editor

101576 | SPAIN. Barcelona Cholera Epidemic bronze Award Medal.
Issued 1885 for good deeds done during the public health crisis (53mm, 89.85 g, 12h). Female caregiver standing slightly left, head right, cradling crying child and tending to others who are sick in their beds; to upper right, small figure of the Grim Reaper flying right, carrying scythe and the life of one child with him / EL AYUNTAMIENTO CONSTL / DE / BARCELONA / POR MÉRITOS / CONTRAIDOS DURANTE / EL / CÓLERA / DE / MDCCCLXXXV in nine lines within wreath. Edge: Plain. Crusafont 728a. Choice Mint State. Deep brown surfaces, with great relief on the obverse; a minor rim bruise is noted merely for completeness. An interesting type with extremely current relevance. $325.

An infectious disease that is extremely dangerous, cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, encountered when individuals ingest food or water contaminated by the bacterium. Poor hygiene can lead to outbreaks, as those infected can pass along the contagion through their excrement. Prior to a more modern understanding of diseases, these outbreaks could last some time and be difficult to control. Such was the case as for this medal of merit for Barcelona in 1885. This was part of the fifth pandemic of cholera, lasting from 1881 to 1896. The first occurred from 1817 to 1824, with the rise of global trade and a more interconnected world causing recurring rounds throughout the 19th century.

101587 | UNITED STATES, FRANCE & GERMANY. George Washington bronze Medal.
Dated 1819 (but issued circa 1826-1844). Series Numismatica Universalis Virorum Illustrium (40mm, 38.52 g, 12h). By Vivier & Durand in München. GEORGIUS WASINGTON, head left / NATUS / VIRGINIAE IN / AMERICA FOEDERATA / AN M DCC XXXII / OBIIT / AN M DCC XCIX in six lines. Edge: MONACHII. Musante GW-100 [R9]; Baker 131A. Mint State. Deep chocolate brown surfaces, with some brilliant underlying luster; a few light rim marks on the reverse prevent an even higher designation. Very rare variant with "WASINGTON," and one of just a handful known. Compare to a similar example—an NGC MS-64 BN—that realized a total of $2,291.25 in Heritage Summer FUN 2017, lot 8292, along with a nicer and more recent example—an NGC MS-66 BN—that realized a total of $1,800 in Stack's Bowers March 2021 auction, lot 1064. $965.

This piece is from the "Virorum Illustrium" (famous men) series, which presented numerous contemporary and historical male figures in medallic form, along with a brief biography on each reverse. An attractive and seldom-seen Washington medal of foreign commission and manufacture, issued just a few decades after his death and featuring the rare misspelling of his surname.

Many of Durand's earlier issues were struck at the Paris mint, though their policy of maintaining a monopoly over the striking of medals in France caused him to look elsewhere. In order to retain creative and commercial control, he had the mint in München strike some issues between 1826-1844, with the edges of these issues reading "MONACHII" (of München).

Interesting Washington medal. -Editor