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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).

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.

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

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 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

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

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.........$18,500

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................$15,000

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..............$15,000

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..........$6800

PCGS 36683820

Great Britain, Victoria, 1837-1901.

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.

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.............$7500

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

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
BHM-4022; Eimer-1922a.

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
BHM-4022; Eimer-1922b.

quite a difficult little medal with only 719 struck

Graded PCGS SP 63.........sold

PCGS 39508489

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

King's Medal, G.V.R. (Edge named: 1922. Kenneth Harwood Crossley.( 56.0g.) 44mm., reverse inscription within beaded circle: 'Duty to God and Man', around: 'In Honor of Arthur Duke of Wellington', reverse engraved to edge, 23 Karat gold, ,

Royal Mint issue.

PCGS Graded SP 63.................$7500

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

Quite a rare medal with only 274 specimens struck. The last and largest (4 ounces of .925 gold) official gold coronation medal.

PCGS Graded SP 62.............sold

AUSTRALIA

Victoria gold Proof "Melbourne International Exhibition" Medal 1880, 38mm. 50.62gm. By H. Stokes. Inscribed on edge "SIR P. CUNLIFFE OWEN K.C.M.G. C.I.E. FOR SERVICE." A charming large-format gold Medal struck for the 8th World's fair and first officially recognized to occur in the southern hemisphere, and presented to Philip Cunliffe-Owen, an executive commissioner for Great Britain at numerous expositions and fairs through the mid- to late-19th century

Very few surface marks for the grade. Attractive proof surfaces, with a beautiful cameo effect, and marking an interesting event in early globalization.

NGC PR61 Cameo............$5500

NGC 5859764-001

BOLIVIA REPUBLIC

Large Gold "Centenary" Medal 1925 47mm. 56.42gm. (16 escudos) Struck on the 100th anniversary (centenary) of Bolivian independence and displaying the bust of Antonio José de Sucre, Lieutenant of Simon Bolivar and second President of Bolivia. Produced in a matte finish and softly toned to an orange-gold, with light hairlines as per the grade.

Lovely engraving style and extremely rare in gold. The color is a pale lemon gold.

Ex. Maison Palombo Auction 2004 (May 2004, Lot 597)

PCGS SP62.........................$4800

PCGS 34139631

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

10 Werk Presentation Medal, n.d. (1897) Gold, oval, 52.8 x 44mm, (30.01 grams). Obv. Crowned bust r. after Lagrange All-Conquering Lion of Judah at top, faint Amharic name Menelik at base. Rev. Armored St. George spearing the dragon. Gill M42.

Exrtremely Rare, esp in this condition. 5 Pieces minted according to Heritage Auctions and NGSA

TOP POP

PCGS MS 62....................$10000

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 .................$9500

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.

Rare Only 70 specimens struck in gold

NGC MS 62 ......................$4800

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.....$2650

ngc 4338410-004

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.

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...................$33,000

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..................$27,000

Papal States PIUS VII (Barnaba Niccolo Maria Luigi Chiaramonti) 1800-1823

Annual Medal Year VIII (1807) 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).................$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

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

Vatican city (Achille Ratti)
Pius XI (1922-1939)

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)
Pius XI (1922-1939)

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
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.......................$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