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Darkside I know, but you gotta see this medallion!

Started by spy88,

34 posts in this topic

spy88

spy88

Posted
Posted

I beg everyones forgiveness before-hand as I know this should have gone to another topic forum, but I just didn't want any of you to miss seeing this INCREDIBLY beautiful and fascinating medal! cloud9.gifcloud9.gifcloud9.gif

"Borrowed" from across the street.

 

Its a 1854 Vatican medal for Pope Pius IX, 80mm (over 3"!) in diameter and 8mm (over 1/4"!) thick. The 3D reverse is of St. John Laterans Church in Rome, I believe.

 

443400-hall.jpg

443402-hall2.jpg

443403-hall3.jpg

443407-hall1.jpg

 

Obverse

443423-obv.jpg

 

If ever there was a piece of mintage that would make me go darkside, this is it!

 

David;)

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Wihlborg

Wihlborg

Posted
Posted

David,

 

Not only is it darkside, it isn't even a coin. With that being said I think it is an incredible piece! The 3D effect is wonderful, and I would love to find one for myself!

 

Thanks for posting it. thumbsup2.gif

 

John

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braddick

braddick

Posted
Posted

I would love to purchase one of these medals. Where would a collector go to seek one of these out?

(A quick search on eBay provided negative results.)

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spy88

spy88

Posted
  • Author
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Yea, I know John. Just couldn't resist posting for all to see this stunning example of engraving ART. The buyer picked it up off of eBay some time back and the auction number is out of their data base. So don't know the price he paid for it either.

 

Have run numerous googles for it trying to find others but to no avail. There is one with same obverse but different reverse, same size and date. Nothing else I could find. They (others at PCGS forum) are/were trying to find out more about it also.

 

Braddick, I did the same thing looking for one. The one I found for bid is the only one that came up with google. Don't know how one would go about getting one but I am trying to find out!

 

Just an incredible piece of art!

 

David

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EZ_E

EZ_E

Posted
Posted

In its own way, that is the most incredible coin/medal that I have ever seen. Very impressive!

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Chippewa

Chippewa

Posted
Posted

Even though I am not Catholic, that is one tremendous piece of numismatic art. In a time when you can buy a nice collection of Biblical coinage for the price of a 60 year-old Washington quarter, the "dark side" might be worth a serious look.

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spy88

spy88

Posted
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I knew everyone would find this medal/medallion drop-dead outstandingly desirable!

Can't take credit for the pics, Paul. That would mean I had it in my possession and the only way that will ever happen is if the owner of this one sells/trades with me for it. We have discussed this possibility. Along with that, I must correct my statement as to where he got it. Was not off eBay...but from some gentleman who traded it for some tools, or things along this line.

 

To me, this is as coinage design should be all about. So many natural and man-made wonders in our world! Will S. Dakota put Mt. Rushmore and nothing BUT Mt. Rushmore on its quarter? Maybe. Devils Tower for Wyoming? Will Washington St. stamp the Space Needle or California offer up two versions, one for the "northern" half with Alcatraz or the S.F. Bay bridge, and another for the "southern" half with a Mexican flag? ( JUST KIDDING!!!)? Will all the beautiful things that are available for memorializing on a coin EVER be given a serious thought over politics?

 

Nah. Just like my idea to use extinct animals instead of extinct presidents. I think we should all boycott the US Mint...but not until I get my 2004 PR ASE!

 

David;)

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michael

michael

Posted
Posted

wow i could just walk into this medal and stay there for posterity

 

wild!!!!!!!

 

it is large and really mesmorising

 

i have seen this medal for years on and off and it is always a subject of wonder to many

 

your photos are great the best i have ever seen!!

 

 

 

now i want one myself 893applaud-thumb.gif

 

i bet it is in high demand and sells for lots of $$$$$

 

 

michael

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michael

michael

Posted
Posted

as an after thought there are restrikes of this medal

 

i will see/try if i can find some really nice onea and then pm spy with the information

 

michael

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spy88

spy88

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Michael,

 

If you could find a re-strike of the original, I would be more then happy with that! Don't need the expensive original to retain my fascination and appreciation for it.

 

Hope you can PM me SOON! Thanks loads for just the thought!

 

David;)

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Dutch_collector-migration

Dutch_collector-migration

Posted
Posted

Hello all,

 

I was very surprised to find the valuable info on this forum. This is my first posting here following a purchase I recently made. I bought this piece on eBay and have not even received it yet.

 

Here it is: http://photobucket.com/albums/b378/sluis/?action=view&current=plakette.jpg

 

Perhaps something is soldered on (hope not)

 

This is what I also found on a silver version:

 

http://data.numismatics.org/cgi-bin/showobj?accnum=0000.999.75827

 

and in Spanish this very slow PDF-file: http://perso.wanadoo.es/ane50/Gaceta/GN149.pdf

 

In the meantime does any one knows its age and rarity?

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Oldtrader3

Oldtrader3

Posted
Posted

Pius IX was pope from 1846 to 1878. During the Confederation of the Italian States under Victor Emmanual II, Pius IX enclaved himself in the Vatican until his death and even refused to meet or baptise Victor Emmanual. The Vatican lost reign of 1/3 of the Italian peninsula during confederation. Pius appealled to Napolean III to rescue him, but Napolean III was being threatened, later defeated and occupied by Otto Von Bismark during the Franco Prussian War and could not help Pius. There is a new book out called "Prisoner of the Vatican" about Pius IX and this period. It is pretty heavy reading in some areas, although interesting.

 

Your medal would be from this era, I would guess. The date on the medal is not really clear but appears to be 1854.

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James_OldeTowne

James_OldeTowne

Posted
Posted

I am not a medalist, nor do I have much (if any) expertise in this area of exonumismatics, but I believe yours would be a restrike, potentially struck much later than the silver originals, and therefore likely worth less than the original. Are there any edge markings on the medal?

 

James

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Dutch_collector-migration

Dutch_collector-migration

Posted
Posted

I just received this medallion.

 

It misses the "Pope side" and is meant to hang on the wall. The detailing is excellent so it can't be a cast off.

 

Looks like it is made using some sort of sandwich formula.

 

http://photobucket.com/albums/b378/sluis/?action=view&current=06d5f35d.jpg

http://photobucket.com/albums/b378/sluis/?action=view&current=a8b09ae4.jpg

 

Weight 5.6 oz

Diameter 3.5"

 

I will be offering it on a popular auction site coming weekend

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