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Gold Medals

Coinage through the ages has served the function both of currency (a store and measurement of value) and of medallic proclamation (dissemination of official information).

Is a Ptolemaic octodrachm or a multiple aurei of Constantine a coin or a medallion? The distinction would have been irrelevant to any society for whom money or currency was defined by the weight and purity of precious metal.

However, in our present era of unchecked government issue of paper and electronic money, there is a vast confusion as to the nature of currency. Currency is now a measurement of value and a "promise" of value - rather than a store of value. Thus Currency is now a form of debt.

This has led to the confused distinction that modern collectors hold between medallic issues and currency. Until our current era, medals have always been worth exactly their weight in precious metal - just like coins.

Many Royal Proclamation medals were crafted by some of the greatest artists of their era. They often are sculpted in high relief, in tiny mintages, to mark interesting and important historical events.

And they currently trade at a tiny fraction of similarly weighted common issue coins.

.............................................................................ROYAL GOLD PAGE 1

Great Britain, George IV, (1820-1830)

George IV gold Coronation Medal 1821, by Pistrucci, Eimer-1146 (signed B.P. on each side), 35 mm, plain edge, lovely example struck in extremely high relief, the cameo proof portrait untouched, with lovely gold color. The allegorical imagery depicts George IV seated and being crowned by the mythic Victory, while Britannia, Hibernia and Scotia bear witness; in the exergue, the date of coronation is given in Latin as July 19, 1821. The reverse legend, PROPRIO JAM JURE ANIMO PATERNO, "Now In His Own Right With His Father's Mind" serves to remind the king's subjects that he rules with divine right and continues the royal family line so long in place. The official coronation issue struck by the Royal Mint.

From a mintage of 1060 but very rare in this quality, and a masterpiece of medallic portraiture..

(photographed before slabbing)
NGC MS 63............................sold

Great Britain, George IV, (1820-1830)

The society's highest award: past winners include Albert Einstein, Edwin Hubble and Stephen Hawking. Henri Deslanders won this award for his work in Astrophysics and his invention of the spectroheliograph which photographs the sun in monochromatic light. His discovery of numerical patterns in spectral lines catalyzed the development of quantum mechanics in the 20th century

NGC Graded MS 61. ...............$8500

Great Britain, William IV 1831-1837

Official Gold Coronation Medal (27.1 gm) Engraved by William Wyon/ Obverse WILLIAM THE FOURTH CROWNED SEP:8 1831 Reverse ADELAIDE QUEEN CONSORT CROWNED SEP:8 1831 Eimer 1251

From a mintage of 1000.

NGC Proof 61 Cameo.........$5750

Great Britain, Victoria, 1837-1901.

Official Gold Coronation Medal (31.17 ), London, 1838, by B. Pistrucci. Victoria. Rev. Victoria seated left, with lion behind her to right, receiving crown from Britannia, Scotia and Hibernia. Brown 1801. Eimer 1315.

From a mintage of 1369 (but quite rare in mint state condition) of which 400 went to Peers, 540 to M.P.s, 50 to ambassadors etc and 295 the Privy Purse.

Lovely high grade example. Not sure why it didn't grade even higher. Another masterpiece by Pistrucci.

(Sold together with an MS 62 silver coronation medal)

NGC graded MS 62....... sold

Great Britain, Victoria, 1837-1901.

Victoria, Golden Jubilee, 1887, official medal in gold, by L. C. Wyon after Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm and (reverse) Sir Frederick Leighton, crowned ‘Jubilee’ bust l., rev. enthroned figure of Empire facing, flanked by standing figures of Science, Letters, Art, Industry and Agriculture, at their feet, Mercury and Time, 58mm. 85 grams. (BHM.3219; Eimer 1733)

Only 944 struck and surviving specimens now considered to be quite rare. This is a very clean example.

PCGS graded SP 62.........sold

Great Britain, Victoria, 1837-1901.

Victoria gold Diamond Jubilee Medal 1897, Old or Veiled Head / Young Head. A gorgeous medal both sides, with superb eye-appeal, housed in a huge slab. 56 mm, 94.1 g, Prepared at the Royal Mint by G.W. DeSaulles using models by T. Brock and W. Wyon. Eimer1817a,

3750 were ordered from the mint, but it is unclear how many were actually produced. It is quite rare to find one this high grade. Clean surfaces with full mint bloom.

NGC Graded MS 63..........sold

Great Britain, Victoria, 1837-1901.

1870 Large Gold Reward Medal for Valor by W. Wyon, (58.8 gms) Obv Young Head bust VICTORIA D.G. BRITT REG F. D. Rev: around: PRESENTED BY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN. within: recipient and ship named Percy Marner, HMS Worcester, and dated 1870.

Several types of special reward medals were minted under Victoria. There are the "Cudi jussit" or "minted by decree" medals for special service, and then there were those presented for valor, some of which bear the inscription: "from the British government." This is the only recorded example inscribed as "presented by her majesty the Queen."

Of the highest rarity. Probably UNIQUE

PCGS graded SP62........ $17,000

BGreat Britain, Victoria, 1837-1901.

BRITISH INDIA 1875

Delhi College, gold medal, 1875, Calcutta mint. (58.75gms.) diad. bust of Queen Victoria by William Wyon (Pennyblack bust) l., rev. LORD NORTHBROOK MEDAL, FOUNDED 1875, DELHI COLLEGE, wreath, (Puddester: 875.2.3 - RRRRR)

Of the Highest Rarity, Probably UNIQUE

ccording to Puddester: "Other than the registers in the Calcutta mint recording the striking of this medal, the author has not been able to trace a specimen. As Delhi College was closed in 1877 there were probably only one or two of these medals awarded." ex spink

PCGS graded SP 61.........$16,000

Great Britain, Victoria, 1837-1901.

1883 First Calcutta International Exhibition

Gold Award Medal 51 mm., 5 mohur (58.17 grams.) Unsigned - By Wyon Calcutta mint.

Obv. Bust of Queen Victoria in the Gothic style of Empress of India; around on a broad rim defined by a rope, CALCUTTA INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. 1883-84/ Reverse: Within open wreath, AWARDED TO

The prize medals from this historic exhibition were awarded by Queen Victoria herself and were issued in most cases without the name of the winner engraved.(Pudd 883.2.2)

extremely rare in gold:
According to the Royal commission for Victoria, at the Calcutta international Exhibition, 1883-1884 page 5 and 6:
Only 38 gold medals were issued.

NGC MS 62.........................$16,000

Great Britain, Victoria, 1837-1901

Royal Geographical Society, Victoria Medal, in fine gold, 55mm, (124.65g) by W. Wyon. awarded to Colonel Sidney Gerald Burrard, K.C.S.I., Royal Engineers, Surveyor of India, for his work on the Topography of the Himalayas (including Everest.)

Victoria right, rev. Britannia standing left, sextant and globe at her feet, All in a glass lunnette (131 grams inclusive) Edge named to Colonel S. C. Burrard C.S.I., R.E., F.R.S. 1913. (Eimer 1229)

Lord Curzon said on presenting this medal "There is not a scientific explorer of our time who has not consulted and in some measure been guided by Colonel Burard and there has not been a surveyor general (Of British India) of equal scientific attainments."

Very Rare, only 38 medals awarded in fine gold, and now the medal is awarded in gilt silver. A slightly later sepcimen that had been removed from its lunette, leaving faint edge marks, sold at Spink this summer for 20,400 British pounds - or $26,500,

Mint State in a glass lunette, as made, in the original Wyon case........sold

Great Britain, Victoria, 1837-1901

Royal Society of Arts Gold Albert Medal 56,55 mm; (111.18 grams) engraved by LC Wyon. For "distinguished merit in promoting Arts, Manufacture and Commerce" Awarded in 1924 to Edward Prince of Wales, (later King Edward VIII). Obv: Albert Prince consort left, and Rev: personifications of Art, manufacture and Industry.

Edge engraved: AWARDED TO H. R. H. EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES, K. G. IN RECOGNITION OF SERVICES RENDERED TO ARTS, MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE, / AS PRESIDENT OF THE BRITISH EXHIBITION AND BY HIS VISITS TO THE DOMINIONS AND INDIA.

Past recipients include: Queen Victoria, Michael Faraday, Thomas Edison, Marie Curie, Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchil:. A very prestigious award.

Extremely Rare, less than 50 awarded in fine gold.

From the private collection of Edward Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII and then Duke of Windsor. Auctioned off from his estate by Christie's June 2004.

In plush velvet contemporary case. Beautiful Nearly Uncirculated.....
$12,000

Great Britian, Edward VII (1901-1910)

Coronation of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, 1902, Gold medal, (51.02g,) 46 mm. by F. Bowcher for Spink and Son, conjoined, crowned and robed busts of Edward and Alexandra right, edward vii - alexandra, rev. god save the king, Britannia holding crown aloft before Westminster Abbey, children of colonies with garlands, around, in ex. crowned. june. 26th 1902,(Eimer 1869b; BHM 3741), attractive toning, very rare.

UNC, as struck....................sold

Great Britian, Edward VII (1901-1910)

Edward VII gold Official Large Size Coronation Medal 1902 . 55mm. 92 gms By G.W. de Saulles. Impressive in its size and design, with an intricately detailed bust of the King on one side, and Queen Alexandra on the reverse BHM-3737, Eimer-1871a

1,410 were ordered but only 878 issued. And quite rare in high grade.

Appears to be perfect with satiny surfaces, why it didn't grade even higher is a mystery to me.

NGC MS 63......................$9500

Great Britian, Edward VII (1901-1910)

Official small gold medallion for the Coronation, 1902, by de Saulles, crowned bust of king r., rev. crowned bust of Queen Alexandra r., date on ribbon below, 31mm.(17.6 gm) (BHM.3737; Eimer 1871b), lustrous.

NGC Graded MS 61................$1250

Great Britain, George V, 1910-1936

Silver Jubilee, 1935, small gold medal (23 gm) by P. Metcalf, busts right, rev. Windsor Castle, 32mm. (BHM.4249; E.2029), in case of issue. Rare, from a mintage of 247 pieces

NGC graded MS 61...............$1800

Great Britain, George VI (1936-1952)

Large Official Gold Coronation medal , 1937 by Percy Metcalf/ 57mm/123.8gms. King George on obverse and Queen Elizabeth on the reverse .BHM-4314, Eimer-2046

Rare from a Mintage of 274 and very rare this high grade. Pristine surfaces with full mint bloom

NGC MS 63....................sold

Great Britain, Scotland, George VI
City of Glasgow, Coronation medal 1911, 45mm x 30mm (19.9g.) 15ct Gold and Enamel shaped oval Medal, conjoined busts left, thistles below, rev City Arms detailed in enamel, "let Glasgow flourish",suspension loop and ring, maker M&A. Inscribed to: Coun J. Muir, ( Lord Provost of Glasgow) Very Rare.

Superb, as made............$2500

Great Britain, Queen Elizabeth II,
1953 -

Queen Elizabeth II 22 Karat gold coronation medal (hallmarked and noted on the holder) 42.5 grams by Paul Vincenze. Obv: Portrait of the Queen; "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Crowned in Westminster Abbey 2nd June 1953, Rev depiction of the coronation ceremony: "God crown you with a crown of glory and righteousness"

Hallmarked 1/1 on the edge as noted on the holder. (A greater number were issued in 9 karat gold.)

NGC MS 65........................sold

Republic of Brazil 1906

Gold Commemorative Medal of the Appointment as Cardinal of Joaquim de Albuquerque Cavalcanti, Gold, 70mm, (232.98g).

Tthe Holy Virgin blessing the appointment of the new Cardinal, cherubs surrounding the Papal Arms, a seated female scribe recording the event, BRASIL below. Reverse: allegorical figures uniting the coat of Arms of Brazil, the Vatican and the Pope, ROMA-11-12-1905 RIO DE JANEIRO-1-4-1906 O CLERO E O POVO DO BRASIL AO S. S. PADRE PIO X.

This massive and exquisitely engraved gold piece (nearly 8 ounces of .900 gold) represents engraver Augusto Girardet's greatest achievement. It was struck to commemorate the appointment of Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro Joaquim Arcoverde de Albuquerque Cavalcanti by Pope Pius X as the first Cardinal appointed in South America.

Of the highest Rarity, with only three specimens minted in gold and offered to three great dignitaries, the Pope (Pius X), the President of Brazil and the first South American catholic Cardinal, Don Joaquim Arcoverde. This is President's Rodrigues Alves' personal specimen (as noted on the NGC holder) with the other two in Museums.  V Calavacanti -270.

(povenance noted on the holder)
NGC Graded MS65...............sold

CHILE - ARGENTINA GOLD PEACE MEDAL 1902-3 of 4 escudos (14.8 GRAMS) .900 GOLD Chile's coat of arms/Two representations of Peace with shields bearing Chilean Star and Argentinian cap of freedom "La Paz lo Vence Todo" Signed by the artist M. H.

Excessively Rare: from a mintage of 3 pieces struck in gold. Of the finest artistic quality in high relief.

About Unciculated...............$3200

Republic of Peru

Gold Proclamation medal of 4 escudos, for the Constitutionof 1856. (13.68g.)

The Constitution of the Republic of Peru in 1856 was the sixth constitution that prevailed in Peru, developed and adopted by a Constituent Assembly under the National Convetntion that met in Lima in 1855, after the triumph of the of the government of Jose Rufino Echenique. Enacted on October 19, 1856, by the Provisional President of the Republic, Marshal Ramon Castilla. After this he established a consesus constitution in 1860, which became the longest in Peruvian history.

Extremely rare in gold.

EF......................................$2550

ITALY, Papale (prigioniero del Vaticano). Leo XIII. 1878-1903.

AV Holy Year Medal 1883 (43mm, 53.48 g,). By Bianchi. Dated RY 8 (AD 1883, in Roman numerals). LEO · XIII · PONT · MAX · ANNO · VIII, bust left, wearing zucchetto, mozzetta, and pallium / * HISTORIA · FVGIENTIVM · TESTIS · TEMPORVM · VERITATIS · LVCEM · ADFERT · ERVITAE · POSTERITATI · MENDACIO · PROFLIGATO · REIECTO, winged figure of Historia standing facing, holding scroll; behind, Lux holding ball of flame; before, Veritas blowing trumpet; to lower right, Cherub resting arm on tablet inscribed HISTORIA/ LVX/ VERITAS; all in clouds. Rinaldi 79; Mazio supp. 799 (all references for silver).

Very rare less than 15 minted. A medallic masterpiece (Absurdly undergraded.)

NGC Graded MS 61..........$8500

ITALY, Papale (prigioniero del Vaticano). Leo XIII. 1878-1903.

AV Holy Year Medal (43mm, 56.52 g, 12h). By Bianchi. Dually dated 1890 and RY 13 (in Roman numerals). LEO · XIII · PONT · MAX · ANNO · XIII, bust left, wearing zucchetto, mozzetta, and pallium / TE · VINDICE · DEVS · VINCVLA · CORRVANT · AD · LIBERTATEM/ APOSTOLICAE · POTESTATIS, St. Peter seated facing in chains on rock, with arms spread, holding key; in exergue, A · MDCCCXV ·. Rinaldi 84; Mazio supp. 818 (all references for silver).

Very Rare less than 20 minted

NGC graded MS 62.............$7500

Italy Papal States. Leo XIII, Pope (1878-1903)

Gold Holy Year Medal 1900 Rome mint, by F. Bianchi, (43mm, 52.85gm) Obv. Bust of Pope Leo XIII facing left with cap, cape, and stole. Rev. Cardinals, and pilgrims, surrounds the Pope as he opens the Holy Door. Bartolotti-900, Rinaldi-94 (silver medal), Berni-329,

Extremely rare from a mintage of less than 20 gold specimens.

NGC greaded MS 62.......$7500

Italy. Papal States Pio XI. Pope 1922-1939.

AV Holy Year Medal 1927/AN VI. (44.00 mm. 51.27 g.) New Seminary Romano - (misidentified on the holder for a change.) a building which soon after was converted into the main Vatican administrative offices.. engraved by A. Mistruzzi. Bust aleft con zucchetto, mozzetta e stola. Rv. Seminary building. Modesti 395.

Very rare less than 30 minted.

NGC graded MS 64...........$6500