Has anyone ever seen this one before?

elverno

I got this medal in a small lot recently. In fact I bid on the lot specifically to get this piece. It is cast, dated 1814 and if I understand the German at all it commemorates the freedom of Europe after Napoleon's First Abdication. Any help on this one would be appreciated.

Blackhawk

That's a neat one...you don't often see a medal with a loon flying through a camp fire on it.

oldshep

Vern - I don't know anything about it but it appears to be dripping with symbolism!!!

Shep

cacheman

It's cast, so it's cool....

lordmarcovan

Nope. Never.

I think Haiti used military buttons with a phoenix on 'em in that same period.

Which is not to suggest any connection, of course.

But one sees fasces and palm trees on early Haitian coins, too...

...but if it had anything to do with Haiti, it wouldn't be in German, naturally.

Askari

The obv. legend "Europens Wiedergeburt" means "Europe's Rebirth" (hence the phoenix). The rev. legend is, as best I can make it out, "Vereinigung Bringt Sieg und Friede" which means "Unity brings Victory and Peace." I can't quite make out the abbreviation (?) at the end -- "ISN"? If so, I have no idea what it means.

Other than that, my guess would be the same as yours. Sorry I can't be of more help.

elverno

Thanks guys. Thanks Askari for the translation, that last piece on the reverse is 1814. Sort of looks like Loos' work but I don't know of him ever doing cast work. But maybe someone trying to imitate him. I forgot to say that it measures 25mm and weighs roughly 4.9 grams.

Askari

I agree that it looks a bit too crudely executed a design for Loos (even should he have cast one -- which I've never seen either), but it does appear inspired by his work. Is it bronze or copper or iron (which it most appears like in the pic)?

The upset fasces bundle certainly represents republican France, but I'm rusty on what the palm tree signifies symbolically. The object to the left looks like a rather narrow pyramid. These two items tend to be more associated with Egypt, but I'm unclear what significance that would have in 1814. (Maybe I need to sleep on it.)

PuddlePirate

There is indeed alot of symbolism in this peice. The Obverse Rising Phoenix is easy enough. The Reverse with all the Middle Eastern Symbolism stumps me. There were many german states that supplied Napoleon Troops throughout the wars but I don't recall any serving in his egyptian campaign. There aren't enough "Masonic" symbols to make this one of their "rebuilding" celebrations either.

spoon

Almost looks like the foreground where the tree and fasces are located is an island? The sun rises over an horizon separate from this plot of land. Could be a reference to Elba? but then there's the pyramid thingie on the far horizon (a ship? just trying to be consistent!)... the island theory is a longshot anyway, judging by the design, or not. I'm clueless! But it is neat

AuldFartte

Unusual and neat medal, Vern
The "pyramid" thingie really looks like some kind of sailing ship to me.

AndyBruce

<< <i>Unusual and neat medal, Vern
The "pyramid" thingie really looks like some kind of sailing ship to me. >>



I can see what you mean about the ship-like appearance, Tom!