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Gold MedalsCoinage 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 promisory note or 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 |
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GREAT BRITAIN: After the death of chief engraver Thomas Wyon in 1817, Wellesly Pole offered famed Italian engraver Benedetto Pistrucci the post of Chief-engraver at the Royal Mint. However he never officially occupied the post due to controversy on the grounds of his foreign origin -and on account of his wildly tempermental character. A compromise was eventually agreed, in 1828, whereby William Wyon was made Chief-engraver and Pistrucci, "Chief-medallist." The two engravers competed fiercely for the most presigious medallic assignments. The coronation medals of Geroge IV, William IV and Victoria rank amongst the most exquisite numismatic portraits. William Wyon was son of Peter Wyon, the chief engraver of seals at the royal mint under George III and brother of Thomas Wyon. William held the post of chief engraver of the royal mint from 1824 until the time of his death in 1851. In 1851, William was succeded by his 24 year old son Leonard Charles Wyon, who was literally born at the mint. Joseph Shepard Wyon and Alfred Benjamin Wyon, sons of engraver of seals Benjamin Wyon (also brother of Thomas), continued the family engraving business through 1884. |
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Great Britain WILLIAM AND MARY 1689-1702 Gold Medal for the Coronation of William and Mary" 1689 by J Roettiers, 30.49 g , 36 mm.; Obverse: GVLIELMVS ET MARIA REX ET REGINA, jugate draped busts of William, laureate, and Mary right; Reverse: NE TOTVS ABSVMATVR, Jupiter seated right among the clouds with an eagle, hurling thunderbolts downward toward Phaethon, escaping from chariot advancing right; in two lines in exergue, INAVGVRAT II AP / 1689.Gold, (Eimer 312a Variation), EXTREMELY RARE HEAVY VARIATION - OR TRIAL PIECE.. The usual specimen of the 515 pieces issued are smaller at about 18 grams and 30 mm.. This very rare Variation is slightly over 30 grams of gold and 36 mm. Only 2 specimens listed in coin archives at this heavier weight. Often times, worn specimens of heavier weight are indicative of pre-production trial pieces presented to the Monarchs for approval before minting. These are well documented for the George IV medal, and have turned up at auction for the Caroline medal. Ex St.James auction #16, 07.12.2010 PCGS Graded XF 45..............$12,000 |
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Great Britain, GEORGE III 1760-1820 Beilby Porteus Largest Size Gold Award Medal, 1818 - (83.62 gm) Edge Named to (Major) John Cartwright - an MP and major political refromer of his day and an early advocate for the American Colonies. This medal comes in four sizes from 36 gm to 83 gms. I don't know the reason for the different size awards but in this largest size it is extemely rare and impresssive. The recipient, in this case, was quite a famous and progressive political activist in his day. PCGS Graded SP 62..............$24,000 |
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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 965. Condition Rarity: The highest graded, and the only one graded to this level. NGC Proof 64 Cameo..............$26,000 |
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Great Britain, Victoria, 1837-1901. Official Silver 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. Spectacular example, only 1172 minted - so actually rarer than the gold example, and hard to find high grade, as the silver medals were tossed to officials (judges, politicians, officers etc) who lined the front rows of the coronation procession. The Morning Post reported that: "ribboned military officers and aldermen of the city of London were seen sprawled together and wrestling like schoolboys" at the general distribution of the coronation medals. Tied with one other as the highest graded across both services, as such quite rare. PCGS SP 64.................sold |
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Great Britain, Victoria, 1837-1901. Queen's University gold "Mathematics" Prize Medal 1856 , (30.96gm.) By J. Woodhouse after the Penny Black design by Wyon. . Diademed bust of Victoria / Ornate arms of the University. Struck in 1850 and presented in 1856 by The Queen's University of Ireland, Belfast, to Thomas Sinclair in the field of mathematics. Hand-engraved with "THOMAS SINCLAIR. MATHEMATICS" and "1856" in the reverse fields. Very Rare the only graded specimen. NGC Graded MS63.........$7500 |
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Great 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 According 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.........$18,500 |
THE RAREST AND MOST HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT OF ALL VICTORIA MEDALS, THE EMPRESS OF INDIA GOLD MEDAL WAS ISSUED AT THE DELHI DURBAR CEREMONY OF 1877, WHICH MARKED THE APEX OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. Puddester records that less than 50 were minted. The Orders and Medals Society of America has traced 26 recipients. Though it seems likely to me that all 66 of the major Indian Princes in attendance would have been awarded medals along with the highest ranking British officials. In all, of the highest rarity and historical importance in gold, with only one specimen having appeard in commerce in the last 20 years. That one was auctioned by Dix Noonan and Webb in 2005, graded as Good Vey Fine, with a number of defects, and sold for $45,000 at the time.. James Gibbs, the recipient of the present medal was the son of a Lord Mayor of London. He was appointed Judge of Poona in 1864, being elevated to the High Court of Bombay, where he was also president of the Asiatic Society. in 1874 he was appointed to the Governors Council of Bombay, in which capacity he attended the Delhi Durbar and was awarded the Gold Medal. |
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Great Britain, Victoria, 1837-1901 EMPRESS OF INDIA MEDAL IN GOLD. 1877, Obv: Queen Victoria bust, Victoria 1st January 1877 around, signed by C.C. Adams. S.C. Rev, decorative half-diaper pattern Empress of India in English, and Urdu above, and Hindi (Devanagari) below. Pudd 877.1.1 Awarded to James Gibbs Member of the Council Bombay, contemporarily edge engraved in serif capitals, 58mm, 129 Grams, in CC ADAMS F.S.A. Sculptor London case of Issue. With clasp half of whcih is missing and original ribbon. OF THE HIGHEST RARITY IN GOLD. Less then 50 issued in gold according to Puddester. Ceremonisouly awarded to the dominant Indian Princes and a few high ranking British officials attending the Delhi Durbar Ceremony of 1877 which marked Queen Victoria's asumption of the title Empress of India. Viceroy of Inida Lord Lyton placed each of the medals around the Inidian Prince's neck and declared: "I decorate you by command of Her Majesty. May this medal be long worn by yourself, and kept as an heirloom in your family...." Indeed, the vast majority of existing medals still reside with the Indian Princely Families. Most attractive UNC, In original case of issue with original ribbon and clasp mount- though one edge of the clasp of the mount is missing. If the clasp above the mount were removed the medal itself is in uncirculated condition NGC Graded UNC details - broken mount.................................POR |
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Great Britain, Victoria, 1837-1901 International Inventions Exhibition London 1885 Gold Medal by L.C. Wyon, veiled bust VIctoria Regina, figures of Invention and Music sitting on a scrolled plaque 42 grams. Eimer 1715, BHM 3198 A beautiful medallic design and very Rare: less than 200 minted, the finest graded, NGC Graded MS 63................$12,000 |
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Great Britain, Victoria, 1837-1901. Winchester College, the Queen's medal for Latin and English essays, gold Prize Medals, 49mm., (57.08 gm) awarded 1886 to Edmund H Ellis, by Benjamin Wyon, bust of Queen Victoria to left, her hair tied back with roses, rev. tomb of William of Wykeham at Winchester, iedge inscribed to EDMUNDUS H ELLIS. COMMENSALIS. MDCCCLXXXVI Attractive and rare Young Head bust, by master engraver William Wyon. Rare and the second highest graded for the type. PCGS Graded SP63..............$14,000 |
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Great Britain, Victoria, 1837-1901 Victoria gold Specimen "Science and Art" Prize Medal 1883 38mm. 36.52gm. By L. C. Wyon. One of six to be awarded annually; this example was won by Hollins Allen of Warrington in 1886 for designing a staircarpet. Very Rare, the only graded specimen. PCGS Graded SP62..........$8500 |
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Great Britain, Victoria, 1837-1901. Golden Jubilee 1887, official gold medal, by C. Emptmeyer after J. E. Boehm, 31.67g, 30mm.' very rare, only 133 minted in gold, and only 73 awarded, the rest melted. They were minted with the loop so that they could be worn at the ceremony - as most were, so finding one in this high grade is very rare. Additionaly, this medal in silver was given to government ministers, senior officials, distinguished foreign visitors, navel and military officers involved in the Jubilee parade on 20 June 1887 NGC graded MS 62.............$6500 |
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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 and how many were melted. Collectible examples have become very scarce, as the populartiy of these large gold medals has soared. An attractive medal in mint state with no obvious defects, in near choice grade, rare thus. NGC Graded PCGS SP 62..sold |
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Great Britain, George V, 1910-1936 1911 George V & Mary Special Presentation issue of the Offical Gold Coronation Medal, struck on heavy polished blanks for the King and Queen by B. Mackennel. 85.27 gm Obverse: GEORGE V CROWNED JUNE 22 1911, crowned and mantled bust of George left, wearing Chain of the Garter; orb to left, garlanded laurel branch below; Reverse: QUEEN MARY JUNE 22 1911, crowned and draped bust of Mary left; garlanded roses below. One of two known specimens of this special proof presentation piece, presented to the King and Queen and possibly one ore two other Dignitaries. The regular issue being rare at a stated mintage of 225 pieces, this Royal Presentation Issue is excessively rare. ex Duke of Lansing collection - noted on the holder. PCGS Graded SP 61...........$40,000 |
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Great Britain, George V, 1910-1936 Official Large Gold Coronation medal, Weight: 78.72 gms. By B. Mackennel. Obverse: GEORGE V CROWNED JUNE 22 1911, crowned and mantled bust of George left, wearing Chain of the Garter; orb to left, garlanded laurel branch below; Reverse: QUEEN MARY JUNE 22 1911, crowned and draped bust of Mary left; garlanded roses below Rare large gold medal from an official mintage of only 225 specimens, and especially rare in this choice mint grade. ex Duke of Lansing collection - noted on the holder.. PCGS SP63...................$22,000 |
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Great Britain, George V, 1910-1936 Official small Gold Coronation medal, Weight 16 gms. By B. Mackennel. Obverse: GEORGE V CROWNED JUNE 22 1911, crowned and mantled bust of George left, wearing Chain of the Garter; orb to left, garlanded laurel branch below; Reverse: QUEEN MARY JUNE 22 1911, crowned and draped bust of Mary left; garlanded roses below quite a difficult little medal with only 719 struck Graded PCGS SP 63.............$3500 |
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Great Britain, George V, 1910-1936 Official Large Gold Medal for the Silver Jubilee. By P. Metcalfe. (22.66 Grms) Obverse: VI MAII MCMX MCMXXXV, jugate crowned busts left of Mary, draped, and George, mantled and wearing Chain of the Garter; Reverse: STET FORTUNA DOMUS, facade of Windsor Castle Rare smaller gold medal, with a mintage of only 247 pieces. PCGS SP 63.....................$3200 |
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Great Britain, George V, 1910-1936 Gold Medal (57.82gms) for the.Union of South Africa and Opening of the First Parliament, 1910, half-length bust of the King three-quarters l., wearing Garter robes, GEORGIVS V DG BRITT OMN REX FD IND IMP, rev. branch draped with shields of Provinces, date to l., TO COMMEMORATE THE UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA AND THE OPENING OF THE FIRST PARLIAMENT BY HRH THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT KC – VISCOUNT GLADSTONE GOVERNOR GENL – GENL BOTHA FIRST UNION PREMIER, (BHM.4020; W&E.5014) extremely rare and histocially important medal- only 2 specimens graded. PCGS graded SP 62...........$10,000 |
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Great Britain, George V, 1910-1936 The King's Prize Medal, Wellington College, awarded to Kenneth Harwood Crossley in 1922 Royal Mint issue. PCGS Graded SP 63.................$7500 |
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Great Britain, Edward VIII, 1937, Proposed Coronation Medal, 1937, in gold, 20.84g, by W McMillan for Spink and Son, CROWNED MAY 12 1937, bust left, rev. KING AND EMPEROR, Royal shield and supporters, edge plain, 12h (Giordano CM260c; BHM 4302), Extremely Rare trial stike for the proposed coronation medal. TOP POP NGC MS 63.............$12000 |
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Great Britain, George VI (1936-1952) George VI, Coronation, 1937, official large gold medal, by Percy Metcalfe, crowned bust l., rev., crowned bust l. of Queen Elizabeth, 57mm., wt. 121.42gms. the lightest of handling marks, virtually mint state with superb 'cameo' busts (BHM.4314; Eimer 2046; Woll.29 offered with (excellent) original case of issue PCGS Graded SP 62.............sold |
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AUSTRALIA Very few surface marks for the grade. Attractive proof surfaces, with a beautiful cameo effect, and marking an interesting event in early globalization. |
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BOLIVIA REPUBLIC Lovely engraving style and extremely rare in gold. The color is a pale lemon gold. PCGS SP62.........................$8500 |
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ETHIOPIA. Menelik II 1889 - 1913 Exrtremely Rare, esp in this condition. 5 Pieces minted according to Heritage Auctions and NGSA |
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FRANCE PREMIER EMPIRE Gold Coronation Medal An XIII (1804), (14.73 g) Paris. Par Denon, Droz et Galle. NAPOLEON - EMPEREUR. Tête laurée de Napoléon Ier à droite, au-dessous signatures // LE SENAT - ET LE PEUPLE. Napoléon debout sur un pavois, en costume de sacre, tenant un sceptre, le tout soutenu d'un côté par un sénateur avec les tables de la Loi et de l'autre par un soldat avec un araire ; à l'exergue : AN XIII. Tranche lisse. Bramsen cf. 326; Essling cf. 1020. Very Rare, from a mintage of 500 total larger gold specimens awarded to those of high rank attending the coronation ceremony. Only 200 of these made with this portrait by J.P. Droz. Flashy prooflike surfaces grace a firm bold strike. Light handling marks account for the grade but the medal in hand is a stunner. PCGS Graded SP 61..........$14,000 |
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FRANCE PREMIER EMPIRE Gold Coronation Medal An XIII (1804), (26.8g) Paris, By Denon and Andrieu. NAPOLEON - EMPEREUR. Tête laurée de Napoléon Ier à droite, au-dessous signatures // LE SENAT - ET LE PEUPLE. Napoléon debout sur un pavois, en costume de sacre, tenant un sceptre, le tout soutenu d'un côté par un sénateur avec les tables de la Loi et de l'autre par un soldat avec un araire ; à l'exergue : AN XIII. Slg. Julius 1263 (Argent) Very Rare, from a mintage of 500 total larger gold specimens awarded to those of high rank attending the coronation ceremony. Only 200 of these made with engravings by Andrieu, and more difficult to locate than the smaller medals. PCGS Graded AU 58,,,,,,,,,,$18,000 |
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FRANCE PREMIER EMPIRE Gold Coronation Medal An XIII (1804), (27.8gm) Paris, By Denon and Andrieu. NAPOLEON - EMPEREUR. Tête laurée de Napoléon Ier à droite, au-dessous signatures // LE SENAT - ET LE PEUPLE. Napoléon debout sur un pavois, en costume de sacre, tenant un sceptre, le tout soutenu d'un côté par un sénateur avec les tables de la Loi et de l'autre par un soldat avec un araire ; à l'exergue : AN XIII. Slg. Julius 1263 (Argent) Very Rare, from a mintage of 500 total larger gold specimens awarded to those of high rank attending the coronation ceremony. Only 200 of these made with engravings by Andrieu. AU, lightly cleaned...................................$11000. |
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France, Premier Empire, Napoleon Bonaparte, 1804-1814/1815 Gold medal of 5 dukats (17,05 g) for Napoleon's Marriage with Marie Louise of Austria in Paris in 1810, Napoleon E Emp et Roi, M Louise D'Autriche. I Avril MDCCCX Obverse by Galle & Reverse by Droz, Denon Dir, (B.955) Very Rare. From a mintage of 200 gold medals by Galle and Droz, and 500 gold medals (of varying sizes) total handed out to guests (Ambassadors, Princes, Members of the Royal Household,and select Officials from the provinces) at the wedding ceremony in Paris. Especially Rare in choice mint state. NGC Graded MS 63......sold |
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FRANCE RETORATION OF THE BOURBONS Louis XVIII (1814-1824). extremely rare large gold medal with an excellent high relieg portrait of Louis XVIII PCGS Graded SP 62..............$9500 |
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France Napoleon III Emperor 1852-70 Large Gold medal of 22 dukats (72.24gm. ) "Exposition Universelle de Paris" 1867, 50mm. By H. Ponscarme. Awarded to R & J Beck. A highly appealing award medal from the 1867 Universal Exposition in Paris, of which only a small number of examples in gold have appeared on auction in recent decades. Richard and Joseph Beck formed an optical manufacturing company in Britain in 1843, originally named "Smith and Beck," and later renamed "R & J Beck" circa 1867. Based in London, they produced a wide array of optical products, including microscopes, telescopes, and camera lenses. PCGS Graded SP63 .............$10,000 |
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GUATEMALA. 1890 Central American Union Pact Gold Medals 1890. 32.30 gms Obv: Viva La Republica de Centro America liberty cap under a rainbow over four mountains withing a triangle. Rev: Dios Union Libertad Guatemala 1890 around Pacto de union 15 de octubre 1889 loot al Patriotismo within, Prober-350. ex John Whitney Walter collection. Very Rare, and the finest graded. Sold with matching silver medal also MS 63 NGC graded MS-63..........$6500 |
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ISRAEL 1967 Six Day War Victory Medal dated: 5/6/67- 5/10/67 Numbered 1211/1250. Brilliant Uncirculated..........$2500 |
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MEXICO Gold Medal, 1954. 40.8 grams. 37 mm. Mint issue. Centennial of the defence of Guaymas. Coat of arms of Guaymas. Reverse: Above a wreath, a sailing ship to the left and a figure crowning a bust of General Yanez with a laurel wreath. Grove-647 RARE 680 pieces struck. ANACS MS 61................$2500 |
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RUSSIA Alexander I, 1801-1825 Visit to England, and the visit of his sister, Catherine, Duchess of Oldenburg, to the Royal Mint, gold medal, 28.02gms, 1814, by Thomas Wyon, signed on truncation, laureate bust of Alexander to r., ALEXANDER RUSSIARUM IMPERATOR, rev. Britannia seated with shield and holding olive spray and trident, OB ADVENT MD CATHARINAE HOSP GRATISSIMAE, in ex GAUDENS BRITANNIA MDCCCXIV, 34.5mm., . (BHM.845; Bramsen 1481; Diakov 383 [R3]; Many light surface hairlines from cleaning and some edge smoothing, otherwise an attractive and extremely rare gold medal, of historical interest. Nearly an ounce of gold. $4250 |
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SPAIN Fernando VII 1808-1814-1833 Gold marriage medal of 7 Dukats 1816, (34.22mm; 21.08g) unsigned, on his marriage to Isabella Maria Franziska of Portugal on September 29th in Cadiz. Bust portraits of Fernando and Isabella side by side right.//Hercules stands facing facing with two lions between two columns. Wurzbach 2086 listed only in bronze. Exceedingly Rare in Gold PCGS SP 62.....................$15,000 |
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Vatican city (Achille Ratti) Gold Holy Year Medal ANNO II/1923, 44.02mm; 52.46g by A. Mistruzzi. Annual Medal. Bust l.//Thomas Aquinas in a wreath of rays above Dante and Beatrice, Pius V, Leo XIII. and Pius XI. Rinaldi 117. Extremely Rare in Gold PCGS SP62.....................$13000 |
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Vatican city (Achille Ratti) Gold Holy Year Medal 1926 Year V,52.53 g. Institute of Christian Archeology, Opus: Mistruzzi, Ø 44 mm. Au. Bart. E 926. Very rare in gold and choice. This medal commemorates the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archeology, the driving force for the excavaton and study of Ancient Christian Monuments. PCGS SP 63....................$12,500 |
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Vatican city Pio XI 1922-1939 (Achille Ratti)
Ex NGSA IV, 11 Decembre 2006, lot 878 Very rare in gold and choice PCGS SP 63.......................$12,500 |
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Vatican city Pio XI 1922-1939 (Achille Ratti) Extraordinary Medal of 1931 (72.40 grams 44 mm) Opus Mezzana. Obv: Jesus Christ between between Pope Leo XIII and Pope Pius IX Rev Grand Cross overlooking two encyclicles supported by hammer and pickaxe. Ultra High Relief and Of the Highest Rarity in Gold (none in coinarchives in any metal) and of the highest importance in Catholic Doctrine as it orders the church to adopt the Rerum Novarum of Pius XIII directing the church to focus on social problems. PCGS SP 65........................$14,000 |
| ROYAL GOLD PAGE 1 |
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