SOME INTERESTING MEDALS: MAY 19, 2019

1864 CATHEDRAL OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL MEDAL

PHILADELPHIA CATHEDRAL OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL DEDICATION MEDAL, 1864. Eidlitz 1129. 80mm. Silvered White Metal. Anthony Paquet , Sc. AU with lightly hairlined reflective surfaces.

The obverse bears a view of the front of the cathedral. Above: CATHEDRAL OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL, PHILADELPHIA. In exergue: BEGUN 1846/ COMPLETED 1864. The reverse legend is inscribed on a narrow band around a three dimensional view of the interior of the cathedral: TU ES PETRUS ET SUPER HANC PATRAM AEDIFICABO ECCLESIAM MEAM. VAS ELECTIONIS EST MIHI ISTE UT PORTET NOMEN MEUMCORAM GENTIBUS.

This medal was originally issued for the completion of the cathedral in 1864. Apparently, a number of them were left over and when the cathedral was consecrated in 1890, the unused pieces were engraved with the consecration date. The New York Times called this medal, "The handsomest ever issued in the United States and the most artistic and elaborate design ever cut by (Paquet)." The superb three dimension reverse style was first popularized by the Austrian medallist, Jacques Wiener. $1,600.00

1901 PAN AMERICAN EXPOSITION OFFICIAL AWARD MEDAL

PAN AMERICAN EXPOSITION OFFICIAL AWARD MEDAL, 1901. Baxter 106; Marqusee 250. 63.7mm. Edge marked with the Gorham hallmark And STERLING About Uncirculated.

The obverse, a bonneted Indian on the right rests his hand on a shield bearing a map of North America. He shares a peace pipe with a Mayan Indian, against whom rests a shield with the map of South America. The reverse bears a nude female figure of Liberty wearing a Phrygian hat to the right. The famous buffalo, Black Diamond, wearing a garland, is butting beside her. On a cartouche below the figure of Liberty is the struck is inscribed the name of the awardee, BENJAMIN VELASCO, Vermule traces the spiritual genesis of James Earl Fraser's design for the buffalo nickel to MacNeil, and in particular, to this work. $1,750.00

1904 FINE ARTS FEDERATION OF NEW YORK PLAQUETTE

RARE NAMED FINE ARTS FEDERATION OF NEW YORK PLAQUETTE, ( 1904) Smedley 61. 105.8 x 77.6mm. Bronze. Victor D. Brenner, Sc. XF/AU with scattered minor field marks.

A classically dressed female figure (Art) walks to the left holding painting implements in the left hand a small statue of Winged Victory in our outstretched right hand. Inscribed across the center is: FINE ARTS/ FEDERATION/ OF NEW YORK. This is the official seal of the organization. Reverse: Inc used inscription: MEDAL OF HONOR/ PRESENTED TO/ FRED PAPERT/ MODEL CITIZEN/ AND. CHAMPION OF DEVELOPMENT/ IN THE/ PUBLIC INTEREST/ NOVEMBER 17, 2009.

Founded in 1895, the Fine Arts Federation is the only alliance of its kind acting on behalf of New York City's art and design professions to advocate for design excellence in the five boroughs and beyond. Among other accomplishments, Fred Papert helped rally support to save Grand Central Station from being demolished and helped transform Times Square from an unsafe and seedy symbol of urban decay into what Mr. Papert foresaw as a "cultural amusement park."

Rare - Smedley was unable to find a medal to picture for his catalogue. In our 2014 Sale #84, we sold an unawarded relatively modern restrike for $460.00. $550.00

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web