NUMISMAGRAM MEDAL SELECTIONS: JULY 2019

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V22 2019 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 22, Number 28, July 14, 2019, Article 17

Jeremy Bostwick from Numismagram passed along these highlights from his recent addition of new items to his website. Thanks. In addition to those below, there are a few automobile types, a couple WWI-related medals, some rather interesting childbirth pieces, and another soccer medal. -Editor

100697 | FRANCE & CZECHOSLOVAKIA. Soccer silver Plaque. Issued 1937 for the amateur match between France and Czechoslovakia on 11 April (47x63mm, 89.69 g, 12h). By A. Lafleur. FÉDÉRATION FRANÇAISE / de FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION / INSTITUÉE le 7 AVRIL / – 1919 –, Victory standing left, holding wreath, palm frond, scroll, and olive branch, and resting hand upon basis with coat-of-arms to right / VIS ANIMI CVM CORPORE CRESCIT (the strength of the soul rises with that of the body), soccer scene; below, cartouche inscribed FRANCE-TCHÉCOSLOVAQUIE / (AMATEURS) / –TOURS– / 11 AVRIL 1937 in four lines and surmounted by soccer ball between laurel and oak branches. Edge: «hallmark» ARGENT. Mint State. Light gray toning with matte surfaces; a few scattered marks and bruises in the fields, most notably on the obverse at the top. $395.

In 1933, the current professional soccer league in France, Championnat de France de football, often more simply known as Ligue 1, was created. The following year, the Fédération française de football (FFF), formerly the Fédération française de football association (FFFA), created a championship for the numerous amateur teams around the nation, with the first contests being played in 1935. During pool play for the championship's third year in 1937, the French amateur team also participated in a friendly against the team from Czechoslovakia, the occasion for this plaque.

Of further interest, the designer of this plaque, Abel Lafleur, also designed the original World Cup, known then as the Jules Rimet Cup. At the time, FIFA rules stated that a winning country may keep the trophy following their third win, which Brazil did in 1970. The current rules allow for no such permanent awarding of the World Cup in order to protect it. Sadly, the original designed by Lafleur was stolen in Rio de Janeiro in 1983, never to be seen again and likely melted by the looters.

Impressive piece. I'd never seen this before. -Editor

100683 | UNITED STATES & FRANCE. Bronze Medal. Issued circa 1920. The Sinking of the RMS Lusitania (53mm, 76.92 g, 12h). By R. Baudichon in Paris. VLTRIX AMERICA JVRIS (America, the defender of the just) / 1917 USA 1918, upper part of the Statue of Liberty rising from the Atlantic Ocean, holding sword in place of torch / LVSITANIA MAY 7 1915, stern of the Lusitania above the ocean, in the process of sinking; capsized lifeboat in foreground; above, vignette containing a drowning child. Edge: «hallmark» BRONZE. Jones, Dance of Death, 27; The Art of Devastation, p. 310, 99. Choice Mint State. Attractive yellow-brown surfaces, with a pleasing matte nature. A powerful and historically interesting piece relating to America's build up to World War I. $565.

Not long after the German warning against sea travel into her 'war zone' declared upon Great Britain, a popular liner–the RMS Lusitania–was torpedoed 11 miles off the coast of Ireland, where over 60% of her passengers, some of whom where Americans, were killed. Serving as a rallying cry against the German Empire, this action solidified American involvement in World War I.

Terrible tragedy. Great medal! -Editor

100695 | TURKEY. Red Crescent zinc Award Medal. Issued 1917 (AH 1335) for humanitarian engagement at the Red Crescent Exhibition in Istanbul [unawarded] (59mm, 76.06 g, 12). By G. Herrmann in Wien. Female attendant left, cradling and giving water to Turkish soldier; Süleymaniye Mosque and rising sun in background / Crescent, Arabic inscription, and dates (AD and AH); ornate cartouche below; oak branch to left. Edge: Plain. Pere 1153; Wurzbach 8870. Choice Mint State. Steel gray surfaces, some scattered marks and spots of discoloration consistent with zinc. Very rare. $435.

The Red Crescent emblem was first utilized for humanitarian work during the Russo-Turkish War from 1876-1878, acting as an analog to the International Red Cross. The latter used a color reversal of the Swiss flag as its banner, and the Red Crescent followed suit, adopting a color reversal of the Ottoman Empire's flag for its standard. A third symbol, the Red Crystal, is utilized by Israel in a similar fashion and function. In each case, the inherent religion of those assisting or being assisted is of concern in comparison to the aid provided.

I'd never seen this medal before. The zinc material makes it look dark and foreboding, but it's a decent design. -Editor

100704 | GERMANY. Dresden enameled gilt bronze Medal. Issued 1931. Commemorating the International Health Exposition, held in Dresden for the second time from May–October 1930 and again in May–October 1931 (70mm). By A. Mazotti. Colorized eye within sunburst / INTER / NATIONALE / HYGIENE / AUSSTELLUNG / DRESDEN / 1930/31 in six lines; cross above and below. Edge: Plain. Mint State. Virtually as made, with great enameling on the obverse; a few scattered marks. An incredibly interesting and transfixing piece of medallic art. Extremely rare. $345.

Serving as a follow-up to the first Hygiene expo, organized by Karl August Lingner and held in Dresden, this expo was held in a building which would serve as the German Hygiene Museum following the expo. One of the biggest attractions was the Gläserner Mensch, or transparent man—the basis from which many subsequent copies have been made. A further allusion to the previous expo was in the form of the logo—a mesmerizing eye, originally used by Franz Stuck in his poster, and revived by Willy Petzold in a similar fashion, similar to that used for this medal.

Eye like it! -Editor