FINE STYLE COINS AND MEDALS
Since 2006
Union of England and Scotland, 1707, a gold medal by J. Croker & S. Bull, bust of Queen Anne left, rev. arms of Britain upon escutcheon, crown above supported by two cherubs, 34mm, 22.45g (MI II, 296/111; E 425).
Excessively Rare in Gold, mint state, impeccably provenanced, and of great historical interest
This medal comes from the Sanford Orcas Manor House sale. The manor, extant since the 15th century, was purchased by the Medleycotte family in 1763. Progenitors Thomas and James Medleycotte were prominent Barristers and Politicians involved in the Scottish Convention of 1689 that negotiated the throne for William III (Thomas was a personal Barrister to William III) and later were involved in the negotiation of the Union of Scotland and England that became Great Britain. This medal commemorates that Union.
This medal comes with a case ascribing it as a gift from Queen Anne to James Medleycotte, as well as a catalogue of the Sanford Orcas Manor sale conducted by Dukes in 2024 where this medal sold for $42,000.
Coronation Gold Medal, 1761. London Mint. By L. Natter. Mintage: 858. Diameter: 34mm; Weight: 22.88 gms. Obverse: Laureate, draped, and armored bust right; Reverse: George seated left on throne, holding scepter and being crowned by Britannia standing to left; trident and Union shield to left; to outer right, lion seated facing, with forepaw upon orb. Vibrant and alluring, with a fairly sharp and robust strike, though some scattered friction in the fields is noted. Of note, out of the 858 produced in gold, 558 were presented to House members, while the remaining 300 were distributed at the coronation ceremony directly by George III - as was this piece. ."BHM-22; Eimer-694.
Comes with fish-skin box inscribed: "This was give by G- R- 3d to my Uncle T. Medlyecotte mem. Parlim on ye coronation; Wrote by W. Medly cott. M.P .
This medal also comes from the Sanford Orcas Manor House sale. The manor, extant since the 15th century, was purchased by the Medleycotte family in 1763. Progenitors Thomas and James Medleycotte were prominent Barristers and Politicians. The MP recipient of this medal would have been Thomas Medlycotte Junior. MP.
TOP POP, tied as the finest grade, impeccably provenanced and of historical interest. With lovely prooflike surfaces.
Chatter in the fields, seen from certain angles define the grade; but the images, front and back are clean.
Lovely example, of this most sought after medal, considered by many to be a masterpiece by Pistrucci, and certainly amongst Victoria's most beautiful and important medals.
PCGS SP 61
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
Victoria gold "Female School of Art" Prize Medal 1898-Dated, 46mm. 57.71gm. 0f .925 gold, By William Wyon. Awarded to Bertha Smith (edge named) in 1898 (this edge inscription not visible within the holder), a large-size gold prize Medal engraved by the talented W. Wyon and supposedly presented by Victoria herself. Weighing almost 2 oz, of fine gold this would have been a significant award. Absent from the major reference works of British medals and with seemingly only one other comparable example coming to auction in recent years, this is an extremely rare type and likely one of just a few extant. Beautifully preserved, with flashy prooflike surfaces with far fewer contact marks than the grade would suggest.
Exceedingly Rare - one of 2 in coin archives
Golden Jubilee 1887, official gold medal, by C. Emptmeyer after J. E. Boehm, 31.67g, 30mm.'
Jubilee' bust left, signature below, rev. inscription in wreath, (Mussell 293),
very rare, only 133 minted in gold, and only 73 awarded, the rest melted.
Gold examples were presented to members of the Royal Household and their personal guests who were in attendance at the ceremony.
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
3750 were ordered from the mint, but it is unclear how many were actually produced and how many were melted. The populartiy of these large and atractive gold medals has soared. In high grade they have become quite scarce.
Gorgeous surfaces with no discernable distractions
$24,000
pcgs 49733497
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.
Proposed Coronation Medal, 1937, in gold, 18.84g, 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 PF 63 Ultra cameo
George VI, Coronation, 1937, official large gold medal, by Percy Metcalfe, crowned bust l., rev., crowned bust l. of Queen Elizabeth, 57mm., wt. 120.42gms. the light handling marks, virtually mint state with superb 'cameo' busts (BHM.4314; Eimer 2046; Woll.29 offered with (excellent) original case of issue
Quite a rare medal with only 274 specimens struck. The last and largest (4 ounces of .925 gold) official gold coronation medal. And the first portrait of Elizabeth II on coinage.
PCGS SP 61 proof cameo
Extremely Rare, UNIQUE in commerce, and marking a most important historical occasion wherein Anne of Great Britain and Philip V of Spain recognized Louis as supreme monarch of Spain, Naples, and Sicily, while Anne gained control of Gilbralta, Minorca and New Foundland.
TOP POP: This large and impressive medal (nearly 2 ounces of high quality gold) is the only graded example in Gold, and the only example to have been sold in the last 20 years. It's rarity and impressive size suggest it must have once belonged to someone in Louis' innermost circle.
PCGS XF40
Large Gold Medal featuring Farochon's renowned Napoleonic Eagle (82.4 grams)
Obv: Universite De France Faculte de droits De Grenoble. Paris Mint. Allegory of Law with the Napoleonic Civil code enthroned
Reverse: Engraver Farochon's Napoleonic eagle.
Jean Baptiste Eugene Farochon won the Prix de Rome for scupture in 1835. He became the Head of Engraving at the University of Beaux Arts in Paris from 1864-71, a period during which he was hired to engrave many coins and prize medals. His marble sculpture of Rousseau is displayed today in the Louvre.
PCGS SP 61
pcgs: 47673035
1881 Gold Medal (89.75 gm) For the Exposizione Nazionale, Milan 1881. by Barzaggi and Broggi. UMBERTO I RE D'ITALIA barehead left, ESPOSIZIONE NAZIONALE MILANO 1881 wreath and various implements of arts, agriculture and industry.
Countries around the world held these Universal Expos/ World Fairs in the late 19th century to showcase the birth of modern industry, and the beginings of globalization. With a wonderful portrait of Umberto I.
TOP POP
NGC MS 61 PL
Tribute medal in gold to Peter I
Large Gold Specimen "Establishment of the Colleges" Medal of 22 dukats (76.13gm) 1717-Dated . cf. , 47mm. by T. Ivanov. PETRVS ALEXII FIL D G RVSS IMP M DVXMOSCOVIÆ Laureate bust right // Eagle in nest with three of her young, looking to radiant sun above, flanked by branches; in exergue ANNO 1717 Smirnov-Unl. Diakov-53.7 (unlisted in gold)
TOP POP (one other specimens known in gold)
PCGS SP61
SWEDEN
1960. Nobel Nominating Committee for Physics or Chemistry Gold Medal, Eskilstuna (Royal Swedish) Mint
By E. Lindberg. Diameter: 27mm. 21.1 grams Obverse: Bust of Nobel left; Reverse: REG ACAD SCIENT SVEC (Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences), crowned and winged Swedish coat-of-arms; radiant North Star above Ehrensvard-21; Lagerqvist-1A/2A
NGC MS-64
1969 Euronummus Milan Commemorative Moon Landing Medal In Gold awarded to Edwin Aldrin. 34.9 grams .900 fine. Facing busts of Aldrin, Armstrong and Collins. Rev Armstrong and Aldrin on the surface of the moon.
Housed in a leather case wtih a brass plaque: A RICORDO PRIMA EXPLORIONE UMANA DELL LUNA L'AZIENDA DI SOGGIORNO E IL COMUNE DI SELVINO OFRANDO A EDWIN E ALDRIN JR.
Accompanied by a photocopy of a Department of State Airgram indicating the American consulate in Milan accepted three gold medallions on behalf of the three Apollo 11 astronaut4s.
UNIQUELY INSCRIBED SET TO EACH ASTRONAUT (with US State Dept certification)
UNC in original box
1718 Gold Medal Anno XVIII. (34.40 gm). "San Giovanni Basilica" By Ermenegildo Hamerani. Av: Bust of the Pope with tiara and embroidered pluvial. Rv: SVPER FVDAMENTVM APOSTOLOR ET PROPHET, religion is enthroned in front of the church building; Angels carry the cross, the gospel and a book of the law. iA CONSTANTINI BASILICA STATVTIS E PICTVR ORNATA
A masterfully ingraved gold medal commemorating the redesign of the Arch Basilica of St. John Lateran, founded in 313 under the Emperor Constantine the Great, which serves as the seat of the Bishop of Rome: the Pope.
Of the highest rarity: the only gold example in commerce in the last 20 years With much remaining luster, and stunning prooflike surfaces.
TOP POP (the only example graded)
NGC AU 58
Papal state. Pius VI. 1775-1799
1777 AV Medal (21.54 g). Foundation of San Lorenzo Nuovo. By F. Hamerani. RY 3. PIVS · SEXTVS PONT · MAX · A · III ·, bust right, wearing zucchetto, mozzetta, and pallium / OPPIDANIS SERVATIS, view of the square of San Lorenzo Nuovo; in exergue, OPP · S · LAVR · IN · SAL ·/ LOCVM · TRANSI/ 1777. Mazio 514 (only in silver and bronze)
The old location of the village of San Lorenzo, in the marshes and swamps along Lake Bolseno, made malaria a constant problem. In the 1770s, Papal authorities contructed a new village on a hill overlooking the lake.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 37 (17 February 2007), lot 1023.
TOP POP (the only example graded)
PCGS SP 61
1807 Annual Medal Year VIII (36.04 gms by T. Mercandetti. P M YEAR VIII burst of ponitf Tt MERCANDETTI F R/ EGO DOMINUS QUI SANCTIFICO VOS The triangle (holy Trinity) radiates above five new saints: Francesco Caracciolo, Benedetto il Moro, Giacinta Marescotti, Coletta da Corbie (founder of the order of Poor Clares), Angela Merici (founder of the Ursulines) YEAR CLYLY CCCVII VIIII K IVN (Hune 9 1807. Bartolotii E 807 pag 203
Ex Auction Mote Napoleone, Milan 1982 lot 761
Of Napoleonic Interest.
VERY RARE IN GOLD, the only specimen known in gold in commerce. In a beautiful contemporary mount.
NGC UNC DETAILS (MOUNTED)
1820 Gold Medal (44.5 grams) PIO VI PO MAX An XII. Bust left with tiara and piviale. Rev: VIIS ALVEIS ET OP PUB Personification of Architecture standing, Reclining Tiber with cornucopia, Industry seated with wheel, Conlegio Constituo Rinaldi 14 (only in silver and bronze)
A large gold medal to resestablish the preeminence of the Catholic Church as a supporter of Arts and Industry after the defeat of Napoleon.
Of the highest rarity: the only gold example in commerce in the last 20 years with a masterful design by Salvatore Passamonti.
Sold together with the silver example of this medal: pcgs ms 62:, which is also rare: pcgs 46873493
TOP POP (the only example graded)
PCGS SP 61
1825 Gold Annual Medal (AN II) (43.01 g) by Girometti. For the Holy Year Jubilee. Obv: LEO XII PONT MAX ANNO II, left bust with tiara and stole, adorned with olive and palm branches. Rev: IANVAS COELI APERVIT, the Pope with cardinals and prelates - monarchs are also said to have been present - opens the Holy Gate at Christmas 1825. Bartoletti: E825, Patrignani:26.
Extremely Rare. Modesti reports 34 specimens were struck in gold. Most elegantly engraved.
The Holy Year jubilee of 1825 was the first to be celebrated since the rise and fall of Napoleon. 500,000 worshippers descended on the Vatican to celebrate.
TOP POP (the only example graded and the only example in coin archives) and of historical interest.
PCGS SP 61
1862 Large Gold medal of 15 ducats (51.12 g) AN XVII by C. Voigt, for the reintroduction of the "Peterspfennig". Bust portrait with mozzetta and stole to the left / Peter, enthroned to the left, is presented with gifts for the church by a woman and a bowl with coins by a kneeling man. Bart. 862. only in silver and bronze
The inscription on the back means "The Christians alleviate Peter's suffering with donations - the old piety is renewed in 1862". Due to the unfavorable war and the resulting territorial losses, Pius revitalized the Peter's penny of the Middle Ages as a voluntary donation from Catholics. Bart. E-862. p 262
Ex Hohn auction 2005 lot 1029
Extremely Rare in gold, Bartolotti cites 84 gold specimens struck.
Top POP
PCGS SP 63
1882 Gold annaul medal Year V (52.89g). commemorating the canonization of four new saints in 1881, by F. Bianchi. Bust left. Engraver's name below / The Holy Spirit flying over the four new saints, Benedetto Giuseppe Labre (1748-1783), Chiara da Montefalco - Visionary Claire of the Cross (1268-1308), Giovanni Battista de Rossi (1798-1864), and Lorenzo da Brindisi ( 1559-1619). Dates in exergue. . Bartolotti E. 882.
Extremely Rare in gold. Modesti estimates 15-20 struck in gold. Spectacular high relief engraving both sides with proof like fields.
TOP POP (the only example graded) looks like an SP 64 to me.
PCGS SP 62
1899 Year XXII annual gold medal(54.49g) b y F. Bianchi commemorating the canonization of two new saints in 1897, . Bust left. Name of the engraver below / The Church standing facing, crowning the new saints, Antonio Zaccaria (1502-1539) and Pietro Fourier - the Christ-like Vagabond of God (1565-1640). Date and name of the engraver in the exergue. Bartolotti E. 899.
Extremely rare in gold. Modesti indicates 15-20 struck in gold. High relief engraving with prooflike fields and devices
TOP POP (the only example graded)
PCGS SP 62
1910 Gold Annual Medal An VII (55.29 gm) by F Bianchi D/PIUS X PONT MAX AN VII Bust left, Rev: View of the firt room known as the Trecentisti room, with tryptichs and other rooms of the Vatican Pinacoteca. PINACOTHECAI VAT/ NOVA SEDES / DATABart E 910 Mod 378
Very rare and most beautifully engraved architectural type. Modesti reports only 20-25 struck in gold
ex tkalec 2007 lot 85 (with ticket)
PCGS SP58
1917 Annual Medal in Gold AN III(57.84 gm) by F Bianchi B BENEDICTU XV PONT MAX A III Bust right, R/ Pope before throne holding codex: The promulgation of the Code of Canon law, Bart E 917 Mod annual 385.
Celebration of the Provedentissima Mater Ecclesia (one of the most important acts in universal judicial history).
Very Rare in gold. Modesti estimates 15-20 struck in gold.
NGC MS 62
1918 Annual Medal In Gold (56.85 gm) AN IV by Bianchi A IV D BENEDICTUS XV BRIDGE MAX A IV Bust left with cap mozzetta and stole R/ Pontif seated on throne receives the homage os some oriental prelates before building for the higher studies of oriental disciplines. ORIENTIS CHRISTIANI STUDIIS AVCTIS Bart E 918
ex Tkalec 2007 lot 93
Extremely Rare: Modesti reports for this year only 10 -15 examples were struck in gold
PCGS PS 61
1920 Gold Annual Medal AN VI (54.22 gm) by Mistruzzi A VI BENEDICTUS XV PONT MAX A VI Bust left MISTRUZZI R/ CAELITUM SANCTORUM HONORIBUS AVCTI Saints Margarete Alacoque, Saint Gabriel dell Ad dollorate, Saint Giovanni D'Arco. on clouds irradiated by a mystical dove. (Christ).
Mistruzzi's first Vatican medal with a stunning reverse celebrating the canonizations of Saint Joan of Arc in 1920. (pictured reverse right in battle armour with flag.)
Extremely Rare, of great historical interest, and in beautiful state of preservation with pristine prooflike fields.
Modesti reports only 10-15 specimens minted in gold. By far the finest of only two known in commerce.
ex tkalec 2007 lot 95 (with ticket)
NGC MS 64
1923, Gold Holy Year Medal ANNO II/ 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.
Very Rare in Gold, and of historical interest.
PCGS SP62
1926 Gold Holy Year Medal Year V, 52.53 g. by Mistruzzi Pope right, Institute of Christian Archeology, SCHOLA ARCHAEOLOGICA CHRIST ROMAE INSTITUTA MCMXXVI Ø . Au. Bart. E 926.
This medal commemorates the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archeology, the driving force for the excavation and study of Ancient Christian Monuments.
Very Rare Modesti reports only 20-25 medals in gold for this year
PCGS SP 63
1928, Gold Holy Year Medal AN VII, AU 55.48 g. 44 mm, Opus Mistruzzi
Avers : PIVS XI PONT MAX A VII
Revers : RVSSICVM S THERESIÆABI IESV MCMXXVIII
Ref : Mont. 07 (R3), Rinaldi 12
Ex NGSA IV, 11 Decembre 2006, lot 878 Very rare in gold and choice
PCGS SP 63
1931 Extraordinary Medal of (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
1961 Annual Gold Medal year IV (66.51 gm.) by Giampoli. Pope Left JOANNES XXIII PONTIFEX MAXIMUS ANNO IV r/ The Virgin Mary holding Flame in front of a family and worker with anvil and smokestacks. 15 V 1961
Social Realist motif typical of Giampoli's work in this mid century period. This mdeal celerbates the promulgation of the encyclical Mater et Magistra dealing with the period's social problems.
Very Rare. Giampoli records that 85 medals were minted n gold in this year.
NGC 65 Proof Cameo