Medallion for Egyptian Ladies

WillieBoyd2

This Egyptian medallion is based on an Austria-Hungary Empire gold coin.

Egyptian Ladies Medallion
Brass, 40 mm, 10.88 gm

Obverse:
Austria-Hungary Emperor Franz Joseph facing right
MEDALLION FOR EGYPTIAN LADIES
Reverse:
Austria-Hungary Empire shield with double-headed eagle and crown
MEDALLION FOR EGYPTIAN LADIES 1913 ( 4 )

The medallions were supposedly minted in Alexandria Egypt by local jewelers in the early 20th century for sale to tourists.

Some have appeared as part of ornate necklaces or "belly dancer" costume coins.

The design of the medallion is based on the Austria-Hungary Empire 4 Ducats gold coin struck from 1872 to 1915.

The Austrian gold coin:

Austria 4 Ducats 1915
Gold, 40 mm, 13.96 gm

Obverse:
Austria-Hungary Emperor Franz Joseph facing right
FRANC.IOS.I.D.G.AVSTRIAE IMPERATOR
(Franz Joseph I, by the Grace of God, Emperor of Austria)
Reverse:
Austria-Hungary Empire shield with double-headed eagle and crown
HVNGAR.BOHEM.GAL.LOD.ILL.REX A.A. 1915 ( 4 )
(King of Hungary, Bohemia, Galicia, Lodomeria, Illyria, Archduke of Austria)

The Vienna Mint has made restrikes of these coins with the 1915 date for sale as bullion coins.

One of these coins was used as a prop coin in the 1957 Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger film "Ill Met by Moonlight" which is about a World War II German general who owns such a coin.