NUMISMAGRAM MEDAL SELECTIONS: DECEMBER 3, 2023

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V26 2023 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 26, Number 49, December 3, 2023, Article 19

Jeremy Bostwick with Numismagram sent along these four medals from his most recent upload of new material to his site. For all of the new items, please visit https://www.numismagram.com/inventory. -Editor

102602 | GERMANY. Nürnberg. Silver Großer Kerzendreier (3 Pfennig Baptismal Token). Issued circa 1700 (27mm, 3.54 g, 12h). By G. F. Nürnberger. MAGNVS IN PARVO (mighty yet humble), facing radiant personification of the sun // LVX IN TENEBRIS (light in darkness), radiant infant Jesus Christ lying in manger; partial ruins in background to left; above, radiant Star of Bethlehem showing downward through the clouds. Fenzlein 597; Erlanger Coll. 963. Choice Mint State. Lightly toned, with great brilliance in the fields. $365.

Georg Friedrich Nürnberger was a prolific late 17th/early 18th century coiner and medalist in the city which shared his name, with baptismal-related coins, medals, and tokens serving an important role in his mint's offerings. For more wealthy families, gold ducat klippes, as well as their fractions, stood as keepsakes intended for the parents and godparents of a newly-baptised child. For those of more modest means, tokens such as this "Kerzendreier," literally "three candlesticks," possibly served a similar role. It is still not fully known if these silver issues were produced by Nürnberger's roller dies as direct gifts, similar to the gold medallic ducats, or as a pseudo-ecclesiastic medium of exchange, whereby a token could be used to purchase a candle from the church (candles being a common gift given to the child's parents and godparents). Given that the candles at the time cost 1 kreuzer (or 3 pfennig), the name of "three candlesticks" may have become the common slang, with the three indicating the 3 pfennig cost for the candlestick thus purchased.

102618 | GREAT BRITAIN. International Exhibition bronze Award Medal. Engraved and awarded to John Frederick Bateman, fellow of the Royal Society, in 1862 for the exhibition in South Kensington, London (76mm, 217.63 g, 12h). By L. C. Wyon (after D. Maclise) for Pinches. Britannia seated left, receiving female personifications of Industry, Science, and Agriculture, along with their attributes; to right, three muses personifying the Arts; below in foreground, lion crouching left, clutching trident in forepaws // 1862 / LONDINI / HONORIS / CAUSA in four lines within garlanded oak wreath. Edge: J. F. BATEMAN, F. R. S., JUROR. CLASS VIII. BHM 2747; Eimer 1553. Gem Mint State. Rich, glossy brown surfaces, with brilliance in the fields and great relief. Includes original box of issue, though somewhat distressed. $395.

The Great London Exposition was held in the South Kensington area of London from 1 May–1 November 1862, and featured exhibitors from 36 countries covering areas of industry, technology, and the arts. Queen Victoria, still in mourning for the loss of her husband the previous December, was not in attendance for the opening of the event which would see over six million attendants throughout its six months. Works of note on display were a refrigerator capable of producing ice, the Bessemer process for the manufacture of steel, and Charles Babbage's analytical engine–an early form of a computer.

One of the most consequential civil engineers of his era, John Frederick Bateman was responsible for much of the modern water supply in the United Kingdom, becoming known as the "greatest dam-builder of his generation." Outside of his native UK, he also designed and constructed water supply systems in Buenos Aires, Naples, Constantinople, and Colombo.

102598 | GERMANY & the ENTENTE. Pact of Malice cast bronze Medal. Dated 1915. "Der Bund der Tücke"—on Germany's fight against the "union of deceit" (82mm, 145.23 g, 12h). By K. Goetz in München. DER BVND DER TVECKE (the bond of malice), winged fantastic beast standing right, with numerous allegorical, elongated, serpentine/hydra-like heads: cock (for France), lion (for Belgium and England), bear (for Russia), Snake (for Serbia), and dragon (for Japan); below, figure, nude but for Bersagliere hat, seated with back to viewer, suckling from the beast's teats (an allegory for Italy, as Romulus/Remus suckling the she wolf); MCMXV below // Facing bust of God, holding scythe and resting hand upon and globe; flames of Hell below; across central field in three lines, SCHLAGT IHN TOT! / DAS WELTGERIGHT / FRAGT EVCH NACH DEN / GRVENDEN NICHT! ("Strike him dead! Doomsday asks you not on what grounds" –Heinrich von Kleist). Edge: Plain. Kienast 160; Klose 8.8; Art of Devastation –; Mint State. Somewhat mottled brown surfaces, with just a slight degree of rub upon the highest points. Compare to a somewhat nicer piece, graded NGC MS-65 Brown, that realized a total of $1,920 in Heritage auction 61296, lot 22069. $1,095.

Similar to many of Goetz's World War I-era medals, this particular piece—issued in a much larger format than is generally encountered—portrays Germany against seemingly the rest of the world. Here, Goetz sees Germany's then-enemies as this fantastic beast amalgamated from the various allegories associated with them. Meanwhile, on the reverse, the stark aspect of the war, and seemingly the divine right for the Germans, is displayed by the representation of God, holding a scythe and the globe—an indication of His power to smite the enemy and His terrestrial rule. The quote from Heinrich von Kleist merely reinforces that aspect that much more, in the sentiment to "...strike him dead! Doomsday asks you not on what grounds." A haunting and extremely powerful work from the ever-ambitious Goetz.

102627 | SWEDEN. "Vindarnas lek" silver Vide Poche or Medallic Plate.

Issued 1951 (130mm, 115.60 g). By C. Milles for Guldsmedsaktiebolaget. "The Playfulness of the Winds"—Nude male, holding trident and seizing nude mermaid, riding left on hippocamp; Triton in pursuit to right; opposite above and to left, ichthyocentaur left, being wrestled and pursued by two Tritons; hallmarks: G•A•B, three crowns, S, crowned head, A9, amphora // Plain, with blackened tin backing. As made. Most attractively toned, with hues of cobalt mixed with some burgundy and magenta. $185.

Known for figurative sculptures and large-scale fountains, Carl Milles was one of Sweden's most prominent artists. In addition to his other media, Milles also designed a number of medals capturing his sculpted, very modern style. In particular, this design appears at least somewhat inspired by his "Europa och Tjuren," a multi-sculpture fountain in Halmstad, Sweden, with Europa being snatched away by Zeus in the form of a bull.