Another amazing item from "Katz Auctions" --- remember that $10k 1933-S Walker?
Maywood
Posts: 2,101 ✭✭✭✭✭
Remember several years ago when our attention was diverted to the sale by Katz Coins when the firm sold a remarkable 1933-S Walking Liberty Half-Dollar at auction?? Well, I was doing a routine search which directed me to some recent auction results of a Columbian Exposition Medal in an alloy unseen before. Below is a link to the archived listing but I've also included the text and images.
https://coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=6700174&AucID=7763&Lot=818&Val=a9863142251e87300261dc3542c74b95
Lot number: 818
Price realized: 20,200 EUR (Approx. 22,028 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees.
Lot description: United States Silver Medal "Cristoforo Colombo" 1892 Eglit-106, Rulau-B10; Silver 465.45 g, 102 mm.
By Luigi Pogliaghi (designer) and Angelo Cappuccio (engraver); 1892 World's Columbian Exposition. Cristoforo Colombo Medal. The only known piece in this weight in Silver. Known as the Stefano Johnson medals for the firm that produced them in Milan, Italy, this medal in its three sizes and various metallic compositions, is generally regarded as the most beautiful of all Columbian medals. Mint state.; UNC with an outstanding patina. Unique sample.
Starting price: 5000 EUR
This medal in this size in any alloy is very scarce/rare and typically comes in bronze, which is what I own. I have also seen it in copper plated white metal but never in silver. All told I feel certain there are less than 100 examples known, very impressive at slightly over 4" and easily half-an-inch thick. The sale reminds me that there are still items hidden away in collections which haven't been seen in many decades. This one is a true treasure.
Thanks and enjoy, post an Eglit 105-106-107 if you have one.
Maywood.
Comments
Cool medal and I recall the WLH debate, too. Perhaps @airplanenut can get us better images?
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
I remember that 1933-S half (and its discussion) well. And I like the looks of both of the posted medals.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Fly me to the medal in a private jet and I'll even create those images for free.
I remember the 1933-S WLH! Really wish I knew what happened to it or if it was genuine.
Words can't describe how glorious those medals are!! Simply breathtaking.....
Love the engraving and artwork.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Those medals are fantastic. What artistry.
Thanks to @Catbert , who had posted a link to the thread in a subsequent thread about the coin:
Original thread: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/995161/raw-1933-s-half-just-sold-for-10k-in-czech-auction/p1
Follow-up thread with pictures: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1005887/the-1933-s-czech-walking-liberty-half-any-update/p1
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Gorgeous medals commemorating the 1892 Columbian Exposition.
If these medals were shown to 10,000 persons today representing a cross section of the population of the USA I wonder how many of these persons would find the medals to be "offensive" and worthy of "cancellation"; and how many would find the medals to be just fine the way they are.
The designs are a work of art. The bodies are classic beauty. IMHO. Peace Roy
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I think I found it...
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Dang, over 1 lb AVDP. Silver 465.45 g. What a chunk. Such a fantastic piece of art, must be a treat in such size, to really admire the craftsmanship.
I see a different coin
When I type that cert # into the PCGS database; I get a 1916 WLH PR 65 from the Simpson collection. So, that can't be the 1933-S TrueView.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
If it is different vs. the coin you have in mind, the couple marks on the trueview Tom posted should prove/disprove it. I recall the '33-S discussion -- and really like the Columbian medal.
I was just dorking around with editing images...
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
That 1933-S Walker sort of disappeared once the sale was concluded, I have never seen it posted anywhere aside from here and the auction site. If it would have shown up I'm sure one of the forum sleuths would have found it.
As to the medal, Eglit 106 in Silver is unique to my knowledge so it should be easy to track if it surfaces anywhere.
Thought so...
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
TY Mark
Shame on you Tom!
Anyway -- the 1916 Simpson Walking pattern is pretty cool!
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The Rare Silver Medal is stunning, I love the design elements and detail.
Would something that big be Cast , or is it struck like a coin with Dies?
Thanks for sharing
It's all about what the people want...
@LukeMarshall asked: Would something that big be Cast , or is it struck like a coin with Dies?
I have seen copper/bronze examples where two halves were struck, filled with a medium and soldered/brazed together. I'm not sure if they were all made like that but I suspect they were. The trouble is that it's hard to find a medal with the weight listed to make some sort of comparison. With the silver medal it's safe to say that the value isn't based on the silver content, so it's "melt" value is irrelevant and would be under $500.
[https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-DH08I/1892-stefano-johnson-medal-two-separate-shells-each-102-mm-as-eglit-106-rulau-b-8-extremely-fine](https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-DH08I/1892-stefano-johnson-medal-two-
separate-shells-each-102-mm-as-eglit-106-rulau-b-8-extremely-fine)
……..40274021…..
Trending…
A specific gravity would be much more helpful than the dead weight. All of the very few silvers that I have seen live or in auctions have been been either two separate halves or joined halves that are a hollow shell, different from the base metal specimens. They all appeared to be electros and not struck. For the few on here that may remember, the OP auction piece is remindful of the Pistrucci Waterloo medal in filled silver that I had 20++ years ago which had a finished edge seam that was almost impossible to discern. Intriguing but that medal had no possibility of being a struck piece.
I believe all the E-106's are struck/electroplated, filled and brazed/soldered. I haven't seen one that was a solid medal though I have other Eglit's just as large which are struck. It may have been a choice to ensure the detail was fully struck after the clear problems incurred with the reverse of the smaller medals. To date I have never seen an E-105/107 without the crack.
Sadly, Allied bombing in 1942 destroyed the Johnson facility and presumably all records of what they did and how they did it. All we have is speculation and supposition.
Eglit 105 to show reverse die crack, slightly below the sun.
Wow Maywood. That one is quite stunning.
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
Here's another auction listing of what the process may have looked like for making these medals. This particular example is bronze on white metal.
https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/1-1M0WB/reverse-galvanic-shell-of-1892-columbian-exposition-medal-bronze-over-white-metal-102-mm-by-stefano-johnson-baxter-90-eglit-106-ch
My last purchase at Katz...