GOETZ: Rare Guido Goetz Birth Medal K-335

cacheman

K-335 BIRTH MEDAL FOR GUIDO GOETZ (SON OF KARL GOETZ), 1912, Cast AE, 47mmX61.3mm, UNC, RRR

Obverse: Mercury standing on the world surrounded by astrological signs, Legend: “Pass up the world, it is nothing” Reverse: Touching finger –tips, Legend: “In the year 1912 on the 18th of October, the Friday before the parish fair, at 7.20 in the morning was born Guido Maximilian Karl Goetz in Munich and was baptized in St. Ludwig church. With wishes of God’s grace, blessing and long life. Amen. K.u.M.G. (Karl and Margarete Goetz)” Legend on the outside border: “Times go by as do pleasures”.

cosmicdebris

Very cool piece. How many were made?

boz

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cacheman

Don't know Bill, I can only go by what the collectors and dealers out of Germany tell me and they have seen so few of these up for grabs over so long a period that it can be assumed probably less than 10 are known outside of museum collections. Add in the factor of condition and I doubt there are five in this shape. This is only conjecture of course...he also made medals for the birth of his two daughters but for some reason they don't garner the rarity tag like the Guido medal does, perhaps more were made. I don't know.

Hard to imagine this, at less than 3" tall, could be cast in such minute detail without losing any of the design. Another testament to the skill ol' Karl had in both design and casting expertise.

laurentyvan

Another testament to the skill ol' Karl had in both design and casting expertise.

In many ways he made the medium his own, didn't he? I like this medal because it shows another side of Goetz-almost whimsical and fanciful. Its execution is also of the first water.

cacheman

My wife, who dabbles in astrology, is going to take a closer look at this when she can. I am sure Karl is saying something with the symbols, for instance, the sun is in the House of Libra, hence Guido's birthdate but what else is he saying? Why Mercury, and why the scattered about signs on the obverse. Perhaps we'll get an idea after she looks at it closer.

Garneteye

Great medal!

Nice to have you back from your journey and posting again. Missed your "show and tell" posts

Dan

cacheman

I just received an email in response to the above image I sent to a Goetz dealer/collector friend of mine. He said that this medal is RRR. He has never seen one up for sale in his thirty years of collecting. Looks like I have a tiny Holy Grail....heh heh

boz

<< <i>Looks like I have a tiny Holy Grail....heh heh >>



Fantastic!!

0john0

What a great givaway!!
Ok, ok, somebody had to say it.
Your medals never cease to awe me. They are a really, really great collection. Congrats on this little treasure.
-John

laurentyvan

0john0- where ya been?

cosmicdebris

<<He said that this medal is RRR>>

Makes you feel tingly all over don't it?

0john0

0john0- where ya been?

A combination of factors, including dial-up, poverty, a uncooperative scanner, frustration with local dealers, and my wife is expecting, kept me away from here for a little while.
But now, joy of joys, I got high-speed Cox internet so I can stop in anytime!!
I've got some coins coming in soon and some that I sent off for slabbing so I will be posting some pictures in the coming weeks.

nice to be back
-john

Askari

That is indeed superb!! You truly and indecently suck!!!!

cacheman

" That is indeed superb!! You truly and indecently suck!!!!"

With this coming from the Sorceror himself, perhaps I should incorporate "suck" somewhere into my yet to be chosen moniker...heh heh