NUMISMAGRAM MEDAL SELECTIONS: JULY 23, 2023

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V26 2023 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 26, Number 30, July 23, 2023, Article 25

Numismagram's Jeremy Bostwick forwarded these four medals from his most recent addition of new material. This particular upload has an architectural theme, with many of the "Most Remarkable Edifices of Europe" series from Wiener offered. For all of this upload's newest additions, please visit https://www.numismagram.com/inventory. -Editor

102407 | BELGIUM. Liège. St. Martin's Church bronze Medal. Issued 1847 for the 600th anniversary of the Fête-Dieu (Corpus Christi) festival held there (74mm, 208.29 g, 12h). By L. & J. Wiener. Interior view of the church, from a central vantage point; st martin à liége in exergue (in Gothic script); around, circular border of flowers and with the names of prior pastors and bishops // Coats-of-arms of Pope Pius IX, surmounted by tiara, and of Archbishop van Bommel, surmounted by galero, within trilobe; around, 19 coats-of-arms and names of prelates. Edge: A few scattered marks, otherwise plain; thickness: 9mm. Ross M37; van Hoydonck 34; Reinecke 11. Choice Mint State. Deep chocolate brown surfaces, with some enchanting brilliance remaining in the fields; a minor bruise is noted near the center of the floor. Incredibly intricate, with nearly microscopic lettering populating the reverse, making this an exceptionally well rendered type. Compare to a similar example in Coin Galleries (18 August 2009), lot 6024 (which realized $1,380). $895.

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.

102465 | BELGIUM. Liège. Bishop Cornelius Richard Anton van Bommel bronze Medal. Issued 1852. The Bishop's Achievements/St. Paul's Cathedral (74mm, 183.35 g, 12h). By L. & J. Wiener. C R A VAN BOMMEL EPISC LEOD SS DD PRÆL DOM ET SOL PONT ASSIST LUGD BAT NAT MDCCXC OBIIT MDCCCLII LAUDIBUS CLARUS, mantled bust left, wearing zucchetto // ECCLES LIBERTAT IN CLERICIS INSTITUEND PROPUGNATOR / RELIGIOSAR FAMILIAR PIAR SODALITAT OMNIGEN BONOR OP FAUTOR, ornate perspective interior view of the choir; DE JUVENTUTE / RITE RELIGIOSEQ / INFORMANDA DE SALUTE ANIMAR / PROCURANDA INDEF SOLLICITUS in four lines in panel to left; DECORIS ECCLESIAR / CULTUSQ SS EUCH ET B V M A E / DISCIPLINÆ CLERICALIS / PROMOTOR in four lines in panel to right; in two lines in exergue, FELICI BENE MERENTIS / MEMORIÆ. Edge: Plain; thickness: 6.5mm. Ross M109; van Hoydonck 98; Reinecke 145. Choice Mint State. Red-brown surfaces, with great brilliance in the fields and relief on the obverse. Far superior to other examples commonly featuring a high degree of spotting and oxidation. $465.

102375 | FRANCE. Paris. Church of St. Geneviève (Panthéon) bronze Medal. Issued 1858. Most Remarkable Edifices of Europe series (59mm, 99.70 g, 12h). By J. Wiener in Brussels and struck at the Geerts mint in Ixelles. ÉGLISE Ste GENEVIÈVE (PANTHÉON) À PARIS / COMMENCÉE EN 1758 J. G. SOUFFLOT ARCHIT, centered, exterior view of the (then) church building as viewed from the west // Interior view of the (then) church looking east down the nave from just left of the center aisle centerline. Edge: Plain. Ross M211 (R1); van Hoydonck 159; Reinecke 41. Choice Mint State. Deep red-brown surfaces, with some enchanting brilliance remaining in the fields. Compare to a similar example in Coin Galleries (18 August 2009), lot 6119 (which sold for a total of $488.75) and in Stack's Bowers CCO (22 April 2020), lot 30016 (which sold for a total of $480). $435.

102466 | NETHERLANDS. Amsterdam. State House bronze Medal. Issued 1850. Most Remarkable Edifices of Europe series (59mm, 87.91 g, 12h). By J. Wiener in Brussels and struck at the Geerts mint in Ixelles. Three-quarter perspective view of the building's exterior; in five lines in exergue, STADHUIS TE AMSTERDAM / DE EERSTE STEEN GELEGD 20 JAN: 1648 / INGEWYD 29 JULY 1655. / JAC: VAN CAMPEN BOUWMEESTER / A QUELLINUS BEELDHR // Interior view of the State House, from a central vantage point. Edge: Plain. Ross M66 (R1); van Hoydonck 64; Reinecke 64. Choice Mint State. Somewhat mottled brown surfaces, though with elegant brilliance remaining in the fields. A later die state. $465.