NUMISMAGRAM MEDAL SELECTIONS: AUGUST 2021

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V24 2021 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 24, Number 32, August 8, 2021, Article 26

Numismagram's Jeremy Bostwick sent along these highlights from his recent addition of new material to his website. In addition to the items listed here, there is a particular focus upon Swedish commemorative medals and WWI-related dog tags/engraved coin art. For all of his new tokens and medals, please visit numismagram.com/inventory. -Editor

101758 | GERMANY. Köln (Cologne). Bronze Medal. Issued 1880. Commemorating the completion of the Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral) (51mm, 57.44 g, 12h). By Drentwett. DER DOM ZU KÖLN, façade of the cathedral; banner in exergue reading BEGONNEN 1248 / VOLLENDET 1880 in two lines / "Anbetung der / hl. drei Könige," nativity scene featuring the adoration of the magi; DOMBILD ZU KÖLN in exergue. Edge: Plain. Weiler 155. Gem Mint State. Rich brown surfaces, with tremendous brilliance in the fields and a sparkling iridescence when cradled. $235.

Declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1996, the Cologne Cathedral stands as the tallest twin-spired church in the world at 515 feet high. This medal commemorates the completion of the towers (which would finally occur in 1880), as work had been stalled since the late 15th century.

Nice architectural medal, with a crowded but detailed reverse scene. -Editor

101703 | GREAT BRITAIN & UKRAINE Sellafield and Chernobyl cast silver Medal. Issued 1986. Fallout (30mm, 26.20 g, 9h). By M. Appleby. Representations of flora and fauna (tree, fish, and goat) affected by the impact of nuclear fallout and other airborne environmental disasters; all within vertical 'cat eye' border / FALLOUT / 1986 around horizontal 'cat eye' border. Edge: «4 hallmarks». BAMS 37, M10. Gem Mint State. Highly brilliant and mirrored in the fields, with some captivating toning in the recesses. A powerful and rare piece, 1 of just 39 cast by the artist from hand engraved dies. $345.

Produced in the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster—a nuclear accident in the spring of 1986 near the city of Pripyat in Soviet Ukraine—this moving medal alludes to the impact of the radioactive fallout that touches aspects of life, be it flora or fauna. Due to wind patterns, areas in Northern Europe (like the artist's home country of Scotland) began to see an impact, with particles of caesium-137—a radioactive isotope that is a common product following a fission reaction of the primary "fuel," uranium-235—being scattered across the countryside. Likewise, the much closer Sellafield nuclear power plant, located in northern England near the border with Scotland, has had its own problematic history with contamination. This medal serves as a reminder of the shared experiences of everyone on the planet, and that what can affect one can affect everyone and everything.

Rare and interesting art medal. -Editor

101689 | SWEDEN. Knut Agathon Wallenberg silver Medal. Issued 1911. Commemorating his 25th anniversary as CEO of Stockholms Enskilda Bank (63mm, 127.00 g, 12h). By E. Lindberg. K • A • WALLENBERG, bust right in frock coat / STOCKHOLMS / ENSKILDA BANKS / TACKSAMHETSGÄRD FÖR / INSIGTSFULL LEDNING, female personification of the banking industry seated facing on triple throne, holding victoriola and money chest; to left and right, respectively, seated male personifications of Commerce, holding scroll and caduceus, and Industry, holding hammer; two cornucopias full of fruits behind. Edge: Plain. Ehrensvärd 102. Choice About Uncirculated. Lightly toned on the obverse, with some minor rub and a few scuffs on the reverse. $295.

Part of the extremely wealthy and prominent Wallenburg family, responsible for numerous bankers, industrialists, and diplomats, Knut Agathon succeeded his father, André Oscar, as the head of Stockholms Enskilda Bank in 1886 upon the death of the latter. By the time of the bank's merger in 1972 with Skandinaviska Banken (to become Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB), the Wallenberg's family businesses employed some 40% of Sweden's industrial workforce and also represented an astounding 40% of the total worth of the Stockholm stock market.

I'm not sure what to make of the pointy beard, but I really like the reverse. A nice arrangement of three figures is hard to pull off. -Editor

101722 | UNITED STATES & ARGENTINA. Thomas A. Edison silvered bronze Medal. Issued 1929. Commemorating the famous inventor and the 50th anniversary of the invention of the incandescent light bulb (71mm, 85.89 g, 12h). By J. C. Oliva Navarro. COMITE DE HOMENAJE / TOMAS ALVA EDISON, bust facing slightly left in frock coat; light bulb and wreath to outer left and right / ASOCIACION–ARGENTINA DE ELECTROTECNICOS / INVENCION DE LA LAMPARA–INCANDESCENTE, nude male advancing right, dropping torch and reaching up toward nude female holding lightbulb; ornately geometric radiant sun pattern in background. Edge: Plain. About Uncirculated. Light gray surfaces, a few minor spots. A fairly rare and very interesting type issued by the Electrical Association of Argentina. $195.

Oft-described as one of America's best and most prolific inventors, Thomas Alva Edison is likely best remembered for his inventing of the light bulb—a feat that seemingly shines the brightest when compared to his many others. This rather interesting medal was issued some 50 years following the release of the light bulb, and done so in South America by the Electrical Association of Argentina. Here, man is seen casting aside the torch in favor of light harnessed through science.

Nice medal with a strong portrait. -Editor