NUMISMAGRAM MEDAL SELECTIONS: AUGUST 6, 2023

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V26 2023 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 26, Number 32, August 6, 2023, Article 25

Jeremy Bostwick at Numismagram sent along these four tokens and medals from his most recent addition of new material. For all of the newest additions, please visit https://www.numismagram.com/inventory

The faux-engraved jetons are very interesting. I haven't seen any of these in person yet, but I'll be on the lookout for them. Can anyone add information on the manufacturing process? -Editor

102475 | GREAT BRITAIN. England. James I silver faux-engraved Jeton or Gaming Counter. Issued circa 1720, or slightly later. Series 5: Sovereigns of England: Half length (25mm, 2.78 g, 12h). By the school of Simon van der Passe. IACOBUS D G MAGNÆ BRITANNIÆ HIBERNIÆ REX POTENTISS, capped and ermine-mantled bust facing slightly right, holding scepter and orb, and wearing ruffled collar // Crowned coat-of-arms within Collar of the Garter; all within elaborate border. Cf. Mitchener p. 1675, 26. Choice Extremely Fine. Very lightly toned, with excellent and highly intricate artistry. A fairly rare later type from a popular series. $365.

Gambling and games of chance have served as a form of entertainment and excitement during much of recorded history in one way or another, and many of these games necessitate some form of accounting during play. In early modern Europe, jetons were commonly employed for these purposes and allowed for skilled engravers to promote their artistry. One such engraver was Simon van der Passe, born in Utrecht circa 1585.

Van der Passe worked in England from 1616–1621/2, having founded a school after being exempted from the royal monopoly given previously to Nicholas Hilliard. This exemption allowed for the "graving and imprinting medailles" and small portraits of the king, and van der Passe utilized his technique for the production of numerous series of jetons or gaming counters, initially employing portraits of the Stuarts, James I and later Charles I with his wife, Henrietta Maria. Though Simon would return to Holland in 1621/2, his London-based school continued under the management of his brother, William. Subsequent issues of these jetons would feature Gustav Adolph and his wife, Maria Eleonora, the sovereigns of England, 'classical portraits' of historical and biblical figures, 'street cries,' and the Commonwealth.

Of even greater interest and debate among numismatists over the past century has been the method of manufacture of these jetons. Their appearance at first glance would lead one to believe that they have been individually engraved owing to their incuse design. It is thought that, in fact, these ornate counters were skillfully cast (or struck) and polished through the niello process in order to generate this 'faux-engraved' effect.

102476 | GREAT BRITAIN. England. Charles I silver faux-engraved Jeton or Gaming Counter. Issued circa 1720, or slightly later. Series 5: Sovereigns of England: Half length (25mm, 2.25 g, 12h). By the school of Simon van der Passe. CARROLUS I D G MAGNÆ BRITANNIÆ FRANCE ET HIB REX FIDEI DEF, bust facing slightly right, wearing ruffled collar // Crowned coat-of-arms within Collar of the Garter; all within elaborate border. Cf. Mitchener p. 1675, 27. Choice About Uncirculated. Very lightly toned, with excellent intricate artistry. A fairly rare later type from a popular series. $435.

102472 | SWEDEN. Crown Prince Gustaf & Victoria of Baden tin Medal. Issued 1881. Commemorating their marriage (44mm, 39.61 g, 12h). By L. Ahlborn in Stockholm. GUSTAF VICTORIA, jugate bare heads right of Gustaf and Victoria // Oval coats-of-arms of Sweden and the Grand Duchy of Baden draped with floral wreaths; crown above; all set upon base with their marriage date. Edge: Some staining, otherwise plain. Delzanno (Myntårsboken 2022), p. 471. Choice Mint State. Highly mirrored and flashy fields, with some pleasing frosting to the devices. Includes original roundelle of issue—a fairly rare aspect for the type. $245.

102453 | SWITZERLAND. St. Gallen. Silver Schützenplakette (Shooting Plaque). Issued 1904. Commemorating the Swiss Federal Shooting Festival from 16–28 July (45mm x 63mm, 63.88 g, 12g). By Hans Frei in Basel. Male participant standing right, holding rifle set on ground and being crowned with wreath by female figure standing left on raised platform; to lower right, cherub standing right, holding target above his head // Bear seated slightly right on tablet, holding cantonal coat-of-arms and Swiss flag; city view in background; EIDGENÖSSISCHES / SCHÜTZENFEST IN / • ST. GALLEN • in three lines on tablet. Edge: Some light marks, otherwise plain. Richter 1176a. Choice Mint State. Enchanting gray surfaces, with some enticing toning and a matte nature. $395.