SELECTED MEDALS

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(This section updated on Wednesday, August 13, 2008)

1538, Germany. LUDWIG VON GOTZ. Unsigned. Cast AE 42mm. Obv: High-relief, bearded bust, wearing a cap, facing right. Rev: An armorial shield. A pleasing example that appears to be an old cast. Very fine. $350

1623, France. FRANCOIS DE BONNE, DUC DE LESDIGUIERES, Constable of France. By Guillaume Dupre. Lead 48.8mm. Obv: Bust of de Bonne facing right. Rev: The arms of the Lesdiguieres. Legend: GRADIENDO ROBORE FLORET (He flourishes with strength that must grow). Jones vol II 56, Mazerolle II 691. Very fine. $175

1633, France. PIERRE SEGUIER. Unsigned. Cast AE 74mm. Obv: a high-relief bust, in ecclesiastical robes, facing right. Rev: Two allegorical females by a flaming altar. Leg: CONVENIVNT CERTANTQVE SIMVL. A pleasing, probably somewhat later aftercast. Very fine. $400

1688, England. ARCHBISHOP SANCROFT AND THE BISHOPS. By George Bower. Cast silver 48mm. Obv: Bust of Achbishop Sancroft, in a cap and ecclesiastical robes, facing right. Rev: Seven circles each containing the bust of a bishop. MI I 622/37, plate LXVI/1; Eimer 288. Very fine. $250

1691, Great Britain/Ireland. PEACE RESTORED AND THE THRONE ESTABLISHED. By D. Koene. Silver, oval 34mm x 38mm. Obv: Laureate, armored, draped bust of William III; below, an armorial shield upon a wreath. Rev: Four warriors (England, Scotland, Ireland and Holland) defending an orange tree; a fleet in the background. MI II 45/232 rare, plate LXXXVIII/1; Eimer 342.  Very fine. $1,250

1692, Great Britain/Netherlands. THE BATTLE OF LA HOGUE. By George Hautsch. Silver 41mm. Obv: Laureate bust of William III facing right. Rev: Naval action withe sinking "Le Soleil Royal" in the foreground and the sun setting behind the French fleet. Leg: NVNC PLVRIBVS IMPAR (now unequal to many). Exergue: OB . CLASS . GALL . AB ANG . ET HOLL . VICT . ET DELET . D 29 . 31 . MAI . A . 1692. Edge inscription in raised letters: SIC PHAETHONTAEO TANDEM MARE SVFFICIT IGNI. (Thus at length the sea suffices for the fire of Phaethon). MI II 59/258, plate LXXXIX.8; Van Loon IV/104, Milford Haven 1919/87, Eimer 347. An insignificant cut in the field behind the head on the obverse, nearly extremly fine. $1,100

1708, Great Britain / France. CITADEL OF LILLE TAKEN. By John Croker. Silver 44mm. Obv: Crowned bust of Queen Anne, left. Rev: A winged female by a plan. MI II 338/169, plate CXXIX/2. Very fine. $625 (Please click on the link to the left to see "Medals by Artist" for a few other medals by Croker)

Undated, (circa 1730). Great Britain. JOHN LOCKE, PHILOSOPHER. By Jean Dassier. AE 43mm. Obv: Bust facing three-quarters right. Rev: Justice and Liberty seated on a monument with a putto at its base. MI217/73, plate CXXI/5; Eimer 413. Extremely fine. $135 

1736, Great Britain (U.S.A.) JERNEGAN'S LOTTERY. By J.S. Tanner. Silver 38mm. Obv: Minerva. Rev: Caroline watering small palm trees. Betts 169, MI II 517/72, plate CLIII/5. Extremely fine. A very common medal, but scarce in this condition. $200 (Other "Betts" medals may be found by clicking on "By Topic," on the left.

1740, Great Britain/Panama. FORT CHAGRE TAKEN. Unsigned. AE 38mm. Obv: A standing figure of Admiral Vernon. Rev: Six ships entering Portobello Harbor. Betts 287, MI II 543/139, plate CLVII/1, Milford Haven 282, McCormick-Goodhart 206(c). Some wear on highest points. Generally quite sharp, with most detail clear. $250 (A List of other Admiral Vernon medals is available upon request)

1741, Great Britain/Panama/Cuba. PROPOSED ATTACK ON HAVANA. Unisgned. AE 38mm. Obv: A standing figure of Admiral Vernon. Rev: Six ships entering Portobello Harbor. MI II 555/178, plate CLIX/1, McCormick-Goodhart 237A, Milford Haven 159/5. Worn on high points. Most detail clear on obverse. Legend sharp on reverse, detail worn on ships and buildings. $300 (A list of other Admiral Vernon medals is available upon request)  

1800, France/Italy. THE DEATH OF GENERAL DESAIX AT THE BATTLE OF MARENGO. By Auguste. AE 50mm. Obv: Uniformed bust facing right. Rev: An inscription. Bramsen 44, D'Essling 2724. Extremely fine. $275

1800, France. THE NATIONAL COLUMN. By Pierre-Simon-Benjamin Duvivier. AE 42mm. Obv: Uniformed bust of Napoleon Bonaparte facing right above an inscription. Rev: An inscription. Bramsen 61, D'Essling 846. Extremely fine. $150

1804, France. THE CORONATION OF NAPOLEON. By Bertrand Andrieu. Silver 32mm. Obv: Laureate head of Napoleon facing right. Rev: Napoleon dressed as a Roman emperor being raised by two figures supporting a shield. Bramsen 327, D'Essling 1022. Attractively toned. Some excess metal by the rim on the obverse (at 9 o' clock). Very fine. $150

1814, Great Britain/Europe. THE PEACE OF PARIS. By J. Barber and Thomas Wyon. AE 69mm. Obv: Laureate bust of the Prince Regent facing right. Rev: England standing, crowned by Victory and supporting Europe. BHM 805. Nearly extremely fine with slight edge nicks and contact marks. $325

(Note: This set contains 35 medals. Further illustrations of individual medals are available)

Undated (circa 1820), Great Britain. SIR EDWARD THOMASON'S RE-ISSUE OF JEAN DASSIER'S MEDALLIC SERIES OF THE KINGS AND QUEENS OF ENGLAND. Set of thirty-five medals including a medal by J. Marian of George III. (The series was first published in 1731). Each medal measures 41mm in diameter, except for the medal of Cromwell, which measures 38mm. Each obverse bears the portrait of a king or queen and each reverse bears a monument, except for the medals of George II and his consort, Caroline (who were alive, when the set was first published). Contained in a contemporary wooden case. The case is slightly warped (which seems to be typical) and the felt lining is somewhat eaten away. Accompanied by a contemporary descriptive pamphlet. The medal of Charles II varies slightly in color from the other medals, a note in the recess under this medal indicates that it was replaced in 1894. The medals are all extremely fine. $2,750

Individual medals from Dassier's series of THE KINGS AND QUEENS are available. A selection ma y be viewed by clicking the "Dassier's Kings and Queens" button to the left.

(Note this set contains 36 medals. Illustrations of other medals from the series are available)

Undated (circa 1830), Great Britain. THE KINGS AND QUEENS OF ENGLAND.  Published by Sir Edward Thomason after Jean Dassier (with additional medals for George III and George IV). 36 medals. WM 40mm (except for Cromwell, 38mm). Obv: Portrait after Dassier. Rev: Inscription. This set is much scarcer that the AE with monuments on the reverse. Rare. In a contemporary, but damaged case. A couple of medals with slight oxidization, otherwise most have bright surfaces. Extremely fine. $1,350 

1821, Great Britain. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. By J. Westwood. Silver 45mm. Obv: Facing bust. Rev: A figure reclining under a tree. BHM 1166 R. Lightly cleaned in the past, some light scratches, otherwise extremely fine. $375

THE CITY OF LONDON SERIES OF MEDALS, 1831-1989

1831, Great Britain. THE OPENING OF LONDON BRIDGE. By Benjamin Wyon. AE 51mm. Obv: Bare head of William IV, right. Rev:  View of the bridge. BHM 1544, Welch 1, Eimer 1245. 700 specimens struck. Color a little uneven. Extremely fine. $175 Other medals from the "City of London" series of medals can be viewed by clicking on the "City of London Series" to the left.

1840, France. THE RETURN OF NAPOLEON'S REMAINS. AE 52mm. Obv: Laureate head of Napoleon, right. Rev: The names of battles radiating around an eagle. Edge: Stamped: CUIVRE with the prow of a ship (dating the striking to 1842-45). Very fine. $150 

1844, Great Britain. RE-OPENING OF THE ROYAL EXCHANGE. By William Wyon. Silver 74mm. Obv: Bust of Sir Thomas Grecham wearing a cap and facing left. Rev: A statue of Queen Victoria before the Royal Exchange. BHM 2185. Extremely fine. $600

1854, Great Britain. JOHN FLAXMAN. By H. Weigall. Silver 55mm. Obv: Bust, left. Rev: Mercury supporting Pandora and flying left. From the Art Union of London series. BHM 2530 RRR. Rich, slightly uneven toning. Extremely fine. $500

1858, Great Britain. THE BRITISH HOROLOGICAL SOCIETY. By J.J. Hall. AE 70mm. Obv: A hollow celestial sphere. Rev: Inscription within an oak wreath: OB:HORO/LOGIAM: EXERCI/TATIONE: PROMOTAM/ DOCTRINAQUE:ERU/DITAM ([presented] for the practical advancement of clockmaking and its theoretical study). BHM 2639 RRR, Eimer 1524. Cased. Extremely fine. $275

1863, Great Britain. INAUGURATION OF THE MEMORIAL OF THE GREAT EXHBITION. By Charles Wiener. AE 68mm. Obv: Bare head of Prince Albert facing left. Rev: Inscription within a closed wreath. BHM 2790. Extremely fine. $225

1865, Great Britain. MANCHESTER AND LIVERPOOL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. By Ottley. Frosted silver set under glass 48mm. Obv: A group of farm animals and implements. Rev: Inscription within a wreath. Cased. There is some slight rubbing on the high points of the obverse, suggesting that the glass may have been broken and replaced at some point. $250

1866, Great Britain. JOHN HUNTER, AWARD FOR ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. By B. Wyon. Silver 51mm. Obv: Bust, right. Rev: Inscription within a wreath. Edge: Engraved to recipient. Cased. Extremely fine. $225

Undated (1868), Great Britain. ASCENT OF THE BALLOON CAPTIVE. By LaBouche. Gilt whitemetal 51mm. Obv: The balloon. Rev: Inscription. BHM 2896. RRR. Very fine. $450

1874, Austria/The Arctic. THE POLAR EXPEDITION OF WEIPRECHT AND PAYER. By Strobel. AE-gilt 45mm. Obv: Conjoined busts, left. Rev: Inscription within a wreath. In a contemporary, damaged cardboard box. Extremely fine. $275

Undated (circa 1875), Great Britain. ST. THOMAS'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL SCHOOL, RICHARD MEAD MEDAL. By Leonard Charles Wyon. AE 73mm. Obv: Draped bust facing right. Rev: Salus holding a patera and with a snake wrapped around her other arm. BHM 3000 R, Eimer 1609. Color very slightly uneven and an insignificant spot on the obverse, otherwise extremely fine. $675

1879, Great Britain. WESTMINSTER INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. Silver 51mm. Obv: An armorial shield. Rev: Inscription within a wreath. Extremely fine. $135

1883, Great Britain. CHRIST'S HOSPITAL CLASSICAL PRIZE.     By Benjamin Wyon. 22 ct gold, 51.5mm, 41.9gms. Obv: Head of William Thompson, M.P. facing right. Rev: View of the school. Edge: Inscription to recipient. Slight contact marks and a small scratch in the obverse field, otherwise extremely fine. $1,350

Undated (circa 1897). QUEEN VICTORIA. By Charles Bell Birch. Uniface cast AE 160mm. Obv: Crowned, veiled, draped bust facing left. Extremely fine. $375

1910, Great Britain/U.S.A. ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CHALLENGE MEDAL. By W. O. Lewis. AE 76mm. Obv: A crowned rose and three shields. Rev: The American eagle. Edge: inscription to recipient. In its original case. An insignificant spot, otherwise extremely fine. $325

1916 France. PERSONALIZED WAR MEMORIAL PRESENTED BY THE CREDIT LYONNAIS BANK. By L. Laporte-Blairsy. AE plaquette 76mm x 70mm. Obv: Three kneeling figures before a fallen soldier while Gallia drapes her cloak over his body. Rev:A sword and inscription. Extremely fine. $175

1918, France. MEMORIAL TO A SOLDIER, WHO DIED IN SERVICE TO FRANCE. By L. Laporte-Blairsy. AE plaquette. 81mm x 64mm. Obv: A group of angels rising upwards and carrying a body. Rev: A branch of oak and an inscription. Extremely fine. $225

Undated (circa 1920), Netherlands. THE BEAUTIFICATION OF ROTTERDAM FOR TOURISM. Silver 60mm. Obv: A female holding up a wreath; a bridge and a ship in the background. Extremely fine. $150

1931, France. THE MAIDEN VOYAGE OF THE PHILPPAR. By Auguste Maillard. AE 69mm. Obv: Head of Georges Philippar, left. Rev: The ship. Cased. Extremely fine. $325 The Philippar was destroyed by fire on its return maiden voyage.

Undated (1933). "AUTOMNE." By Robert Cochet. AE uniface 69mm medal set in a leather frame with a prop at the back so that it can be stood up on a  flat surface, also a loop so that it can be hung on a wall. Obv: Pomona reaching for fruit. Cased. Extremely fine. $475

1935, Great Britain. INSTITUTION OF GAS ENGINEERS, H.E. JONES LONDON MEDAL. By Spink & Son. 9ct gold. 65.6 grms 51mm. Obv: Bust of William Murdoch, right. Rev: A standing female; equipment and a gas-holder in the background. Cased. Extremely fine. $750

Undated (circa 1940), France. THE DEATH OF CHRIST ON THE CROSS. By Leon-Ernst Drivier. AE 105mm. Obv: Christ on the cross surrounded by various figures. Rev: Inscription. Edge: Stamped: 45. Extremely fine. $575

1958. U.S.A. THE CENTENARY OF THE AMERICAN NUMISMATIC SOCIETY. By Laura Gardin Fraser. AE 89mm. Obv: A nude male holding a split stone with a petrified animal in one half and an impression in the other. Rev: Two men working at an anvil. Pegasus rises behind them in a cloud. In a contemporary cardboard box (slightly damaged) with an explanatory leaflet. Extremely fine. $275

Undated (1965), Great Britain. 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN. Set of three 18 carat gold medals. 22mm (8.2gms), 32mm (18.1 gms), and 41mm (35.7gms). Obv: An airplane seen from above. Rev: Crown above an eagle within a wreath. Original case with certificates. Proof finish. Total weight is 2 ounces. $1,275 (based on gold at $840 an ounce)

Undated (1965), Great Britain. SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL, MEMORIAL. By Christopher Ironside. Struck at the Austrian Mint. 22ct gold 20mm 3.5 gms. Obv: Head, left. Rev: A lion holding a standard. Engstrom 23C. Proof finish. $100

(Note this set contains 29 medals. Only three are illustrated as examples)

Undated (circa 1970), Great Britain. HISTORY OF THE RAILWAYS. Set of 29 AE medals. One medal 51mm: Obv: Bust of Richard Trevithick, left. Rev: The Penydarren locomotive. Other medals: 44mm. Obv: A locomotive. Rev: The arms or seal of a railway company. In custom-made frame for display. (Note that this set contains 29 medals and only three pieces are illustrated as examples). Matt finish. Extremely fine. $325