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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). Until our current era, medals have always been worth exactly their weight in precious metal - just like coins. However, coinage, even in gold, was minted in quantities sufficient to provide the mass economy with a means of transaction. Silver was generally minted at 10 to 15 times it's equivalent weight in gold, and copper was issued in tremendous quantity to facilitate the smallest transactions. Proclamation medals in gold, on the other hand, were most often reserved for Royalty and the highest military and government officials. In silver they most often were distributed to the next level of military and government. In copper they were used as commemoratives for the the masses that were able to attend particular events. Many Royal Proclamation medals were crafted by some of the greatest artists of their era. They are sculpted in high relief, in tiny mintages, to mark interesting and important historical events. Here below are some choice examples first from Great Britian, and then from the rest of the world. Finally, below. are a selection of exceptionally rare and beautiful gold medals from the Papal State, which exerted an outsized influence in the history of European Power from the middle ages through the early twentieth century.
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VATICAN COLLECTION OF GOLD PAPAL MEDALS COMING IN FEBRUARY PREVIEW AVAILABLE: NAPOLEON COLLECTION OF RARE GOLD MEDALS COMING IN FEBRUARY PREVIEW AVAILABLE ROYAL GOLD PAGE 1 |
GREAT BRITAIN:
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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 PCGS 44394831 |
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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..............$18,000 PCGS 42842832 |
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. The definitive Wyon portrait of William IV, subsequently used on much of the British coinage and all the british indian mohur issues of his reign. NGC Proof 64 Cameo..............$23,000 |
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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 |
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 one of two graded examples. NGC Graded MS63........sold NGC 5904621-004 |
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.........$22,000 PCGS 34748025 |
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. |
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 NGC 4492871-001 |
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................$18,000 NGC 5878348-002 |
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.............reserved PCGS 37124136 |
Great Britain, Victoria, 1837-1901 Victoria gold Specimen "Science and Art" Prize Medal 1883 38mm. 36.52gm. By L. C. Wyon. this example was won by Hollins Allen of Warrington in 1886 for designing a staircarpet. Very Rare, the only graded specimen. PCGS Graded SP62..........$7500 PCGS 36683820 |
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.............$8500 NGC 4840131-001 |
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, 92.1 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. Gorgeous. NGC Graded PCGS SP 63....sold PCGS 39747344 |
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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 PCGS 39444047 |
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.........sold PCGS 39508489 |
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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.....................sold PCGS 39508488 |
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 PCGS 36349206 |
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.................$8500 PCGS 35812315 |
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.............$8500 NGC 6135264-002 |
Great Britain, George VI (1936-1952) with Queen Elizabeth II (her first official portrait) 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 PCGS Graded SP 62.............sold |
THE REST OF THE WORLD |
AUSTRALIA Very few surface marks for the grade. Attractive proof surfaces, with a beautiful cameo effect, and marking an interesting event in early globalization. NGC 5859764-001 |
BOLIVIA REPUBLIC Lovely engraving style and extremely rare in gold. The color is a pale lemon gold. PCGS SP62.........................$4800 PCGS 34139631 |
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China Republic Circa 1949 Gold Central Mint Bar of 5 Taels ND (1949-1951) Chung King mint, . 70x30mm. 156.23gm. Stamped with the bust of Sun Yat-sen and a depiction of an ancient spade coin (the mark of the Central Mint) on one side, and the weight, fineness, and serial numberon the other side. A remarkably fleeting large-size gold bar from this Central Mint series, of enormously greater scarcity than the oft-encountered 5 Mace (1/2 Tael bars), yet surprisingly witnessed at auction with greater frequency in recent years. L&M-1072 Mislabeled as usual on the holder as a Taiwanese bank issue TOP POP PCGS MS 63....................sold pcgs 40276946 |
ETHIOPIA. Menelik II 1889 - 1913 Exrtremely Rare, esp in this condition. 5 Pieces minted according to Heritage Auctions and NGSA TOP POP PCGS 44218132 |
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. TOP POP NGC graded MS-63..........$6500 NGC 4929675-003 |
Hungary Circa 1700 "St. George" gold Medallic 7 Ducat 23.29gm ND (1690-1751) Kremnitz mint, Unsigned. S GEORGIUS EQVITUM PATRONUS St. George in armor on horse right, with spear, below dragon / IN TEMPESTATE SECURITAS Christ asleep in boat as apostles seek to wake him. . Fr-574 var. Originally produced by Jeremias Roth Sr. (1690-1751) as part of the larger 17th-century series struck at Kremnitz by the Roth family NGC MS 62......................... sold |
India Circa 1948 2-1/2 Tolas Medallic issue, Kirtilal Jeshinglal & Company Bombay, ND, AU 29.15 g. ObvBuddha, Rev: The ancient Indian parable of the blind men and the elephant (each describes the elephant according to their limited 'view'. - often misdescribed as an erotic scene!) Rare. AGW: .937 ounces fine gold. NGC MS 65...................$3000 ngc 5928321-001 |
Italy, Umberto I 1878-1900 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. Very Rare in gold. There is only one other example in gold in coin archives. The large size and great rarity, and the absence of named examples would suggest a trial or special commemorative rather than a prize medal. TOP POP NGC MS 61 PL .................$11,000 |
Prussia Kingdom. William II, 1888-1918. 1896, Gold medal of 10 ducats (34.91g) by O. Schultz. State prize medal for the anniversary art exhibition. Portraits of Wilhelm II and Friedrich III. (I.) side by side right.//The personified art with palm branch and artist's utensils sits left. In the background the sun is rising and the Prussian eagle over the Berlin Palace. Husken 7.435. NGC MS 62 ......................sold ngc 2761930-014 |
Switzerland 1987 Gold Shooting medal (26.1 gm) 1000 francs. Haberling 32 Personification of Switzerland with bared breast, flag and gun flanked by mountains and a rising sun. Rev: Swiss Eagle holding a shield with St Gallen. Rare Only 300 struck, Lovely, racy updated art nouveau style design.
NGC PR 69 Ultra Cameo.....$3500 ngc 4338410-004 |
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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. Very Rare in Gold TOP POP PCGS SP 62.....................$14,000 PCGS 44240543 |
USA 1969 (Via Milan) From the Personal collection of Buzz Aldrin. 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..........$4600 |
THE VATICAN COLLECTION: RARE GOLD MEDALS OF THE PAPAL STATE. The Roman Emperors (who adopted the titlle Pontifex Maximus - High Priest) issued medallions to commemorate buildings, victories and a variety of achievements. As the Empire was Christianized after the time of Constantine, the head of the Christian Church, the Holy Father or Pope began to issue their own medallions mostly as blessings for pilgrims and visiting dignitaries. In 800 when Leo III crowned Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor, the tradition of the Sacre or Holy Blessing began in conjunction with the Crowning. And each Emperor issued a medallion commemorating this sacred coronation. By the 15th century each Pope upon achieving the position of Holy Father issued a medallion to commemorate their own sacred election. They were issued in gold in very small numbers for papal officials and elite Italian dignitaries. In silver they were issued to visitors, pilgrams and were soon collected by the wealthy. In bronze they were more affordable to well to do collectors.These medals commonly depict significant Papal events or achievements and starting in 1605, they were issued annually. As a group, these medals have important implications for papal history, European history, and the History of Art. In gold the mintages of these annual medals tended to be no more than a few dozen. It is extremely rare for more than two or three specimens in gold to have survived from any particular year including those right through the early twentieth century. |
Papal States Clement XI (Benedetto Odescalchi) 1676-1689 1678 Gold Annual Medal: (20.8 gram) by Giovanni Hamerani. The Treaty of Nijmegen. INNOCEN XI PONT.M.A. II Pope facing left / AUDITE VOCES SUPPLICUM Saints Peter with keys and Saint Paul with sword. Much of Innocent's reign was spent dealing with Louis XIV of France. Churchill wrote of this Pope "Innocent's ability to see beyond facile religious factors - to shape his actions with pruddence and principle, elevates him to the company of statesmen." It was in this capacity of statesman that he helped negotiate this Europe wide Peace celebrated by this medal. Of the highest rarity, and of great historical interest. The only specimen known in gold, masterfully engraved by the progenitor of the Hamerani family of engravers and in superaltive condition. TOP POP PCGS SP 63..................sold pcgs 45800071 |
Papal States Benedict XIV (Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini) 1740-1758 Year 17 - 1757 Gold Annual Medal 30.6 gm by Ottone Hamerani (son of Giovanni) Restoration of the Pantheon. BENED XIV PONT MAX A XVII Pope facing right PANTHI DECORE RESTITUTO ET AUGTO MDCCLVII Pantheon interior and dome. Edge Named to BERGER H LEPAUTE 1824. Augustin Michel Henry-Lepaute was the official Royal Clockmaker to Charles X and Louis Philippe and 1824 is the date of Charles X coronation. It would appear that this medal of the largest unsupported dome in the history of acrchitcture, was gifted to the King's architect of his most prized possession. Charles X gifted Queen Victoria a Lepaute clock which remained on her bedroom mantle until her death. Lepaute clocks are not only avidly collected to this day, but reside in museum collections around the world. Exceedingly Rare in Gold, appears to be mint state but perhaps was graded down for the edge engraving. A medal of unsurpassed beauty, and of considerable historical interest. TOP POP PCGS SP 58.................sold |
In 1804 Pius VII attended Napoleon's "sacre" and coronation, but Napoleon took the crown out of the Pope's hands and crowned himself. By 1807 France had reached the apex of its territorial control, including all of Italy. This is when the Pope issued this medal, perhaps as a reminder that only he could administer the Will of God. Two years later Napoleon invaded the Papal State. The Pope then excommunicated Napoleon. Napoleon abducted the Pope and imprisoned him in France, where he remained until Napoleon was exiled to Elba. |
Papal States PIUS VII (Barnaba Niccolo Maria Luigi Chiaramonti) 1800-1823 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).................$22,000 ngc 3956941-001 |
Papal States Leo XII. (Annibale Francesco Clemente Rirolamo Nicola della Genga) 1823-1829 Gold Annual Medal 1825 (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......................$27,000 pcgs 45741528 |
Papal States , Leo XIII, (Gioacchino Pecci) 1878-1903. Gold annaul medal Year V 1882 (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.....................$17,000 pcgs 46524399 |
Papal States , Leo XIII, (Gioacchino Pecci) 1878-1903. Year XXII annual gold medal 1899 (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. TOP POP (the only example graded) PCGS SP 62....................$17,000 pcgs 46524400 |
Papal States Pius X (Giuseppie Melchiore Satto) 1903-1914 Gold Annual Medal An VII 1910 (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. Modesti reports only 20-25 struck in gold ex tkalec 2007 lot 85 (with ticket) PCGS |
Vatican City Benedict XV 1914-1922 (Giacomo Della Chiesa) Annual Medal in Gold AN III 1917 (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......................$13,000 NGC 6679158-002 |
Vatican City Benedict XV 1914-1922 (Giacomo Della Chiesa) Annual Medal In Gold (56.85 gm) AN IV 1918 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..................$10,000 |
THE CANONIZATION OF ST JOAN OF ARC. The path to canonization for this most popular saint was long, winding and controversial. But when it finally occured over 60,000 people attended the ceremony including descendents of the Saint, Royalty and Heads of State from all over Europe, and dignitaries of the Church. |
Vatican City Benedict XV 1914-1922 (Giacomo Della Chiesa) Gold Annual Medal AN VI 1920 (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......................$22,000 NGC 6679158-002 |
The Canonization of St Thomas Aquinas. A medal to commemorate the sixth century of the canonization of the greatest christian scholar of the middle ages, author of the Summa Theologica. |
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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. Very Rare in Gold, and of historical interest. PCGS SP62.....................$13000 PCGS 42920170 |
Vatican city (Achille Ratti) Gold Holy Year Medal 1926 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....................$10,000 pcgs 44394832 |
Vatican city Pio XI 1922-1939 (Achille Ratti) Gold Holy Year Medal 1928, AN VII, AU 55.48 g. 44 mm, Opus Mistruzzi Ex NGSA IV, 11 Decembre 2006, lot 878 Very rare in gold and choice PCGS SP 63.......................$10,000 PCGS 44394833 |
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........................$12,000 PCGS 44394834 |
Vatican city Pio XI 1922-1939 (Achille Ratti) Annual Medal of year XVII 1938 (62.38 gm) Pope right PIUS PONTIFEX MAXIMUS AXVII R/ University buildings AN CD ANAT S CAROLI BOROMAET below: ATHENAEUM LATRAN A FUNDAMENTIS EXCITATUM Commemorating the creation of the Lataran Pontifical University Very Rare in gold PCGS SP 65...................$7500 pcgs 45569576 |
Vatican City John XXIII (Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli) 1958-1963 Annual Gold Medal year IV 1961 (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. In gold 225 struck. NGC 65 Proof Cameo.........$7000 |
Vatican City Paul VI (Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini) 1963-1978 Extraordinary Gold Medal (52.96 gm) .750 gold. Obv by Manfrini. Issued in 1964 on the Pope's trip to Bombay India for the International Eucharistic Congress. PAULIS VI IN INDIA V FORMER V CONTINENTIBUS EPISCOPOS CONSACRAVIT The pope center center welcoming five new bishops R/ A Martyr shows his wounds to Christ. by E Senesi. De Luca 369 A very rare special issue medal in gold. PCGS SP 67....................$5500 |
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