A hard medal to image.

keets · September 8, 2020 6:43AM

I now have four sets of images for the Eglit 273 Columbian medal I submitted for cross-over. I'll list them in chronological order with an opinion.

First set is from Stack's, overall very nice with a little glare on the obverse and not really showing the fields as they look in-hand.

This set is at the NGC website and I can only provide a link. The color is a little off and the fields not reflective, similar to what a DMPL Morgan often looks like.
https://ngccoin.com/certlookup/3889137-008/65/

This set is from Heritage and looks very similar to the NGC images.

The last set is the TrueView images, the color is closer and the mirrors have the same DMPL Morgan look.

In-hand the color looks closest to the PCGS images and the reflectivity closest to the Stack's images. The medal looks like it's Gold, has incredible detail and depth and the fields are watery like a modern proof. The reverse is especially pristine and near perfect, the obverse having only what appear as die scratches which, unfortunately, are in highly visible locations. When I had it in-hand to examine in the NGC capsule I could see no signs of rub/evidence of the medal resting is a case of issue, no breaks in the Gilt and just breathtaking to behold.

Al H.

ricko · September 8, 2020 6:47AM

Al, that is just one beautiful, incredible medal.... Great acquisition. Congratulations on such a prize. Cheers, RickO

Jimnight · September 8, 2020 6:53AM

Real nice medal!

trueblood · September 8, 2020 7:49AM

That sure is a stunning medal.

Tallpaul000 · September 11, 2020 5:57PM

Very nice indeed. Not familiar with this series, but am a medal lover. IMO solid gold or gilt gold usually doesn't work to well for medals, seems bronze, copper and silver is where its at, but the varying reliefs and surfaces of this piece works well. Im also a sucker for ocean and ship scenes

Raybo · September 11, 2020 6:16PM

Very cool medal Al.

Smudge · September 11, 2020 6:37PM

Great medal. Perhaps if you wear your cape while photographing it the photos would be better, but they already look quite good.

braddick · September 11, 2020 9:44PM

Wow. Why can't the U.S. Mint strike attractive coins and medals like this today?

koynekwest · September 11, 2020 9:47PM

That's a very impressive medal!

Zoins · November 25, 2020 1:58AM

Thread Revival

Somehow I missed this thread the first time around.

I think this is a gorgeous medal and I'm glad it ended up with you Al! I'm a huge fan of this piece.

Simpson said thing's need to be where they are loved the most and I think it found its way to the right collection!

RedStorm · November 25, 2020 4:01AM

Absolutely stunning!

MWallace · November 25, 2020 4:17AM

@braddick said:
Wow. Why can't the U.S. Mint strike attractive coins and medals like this today?

My first thought exactly when I saw Al's medal. Unfortunately, I think that they think they do.

Zoins · November 25, 2020 4:44AM

@braddick said:
Wow. Why can't the U.S. Mint strike attractive coins and medals like this today?

This was done by Wilhelm Mayer of Stuttgart:

Mayer, Wilhelm

German, 19th – 20th century, male.

Born 23 October 1840, in Lauffen; died 1920, in Stuttgart.

Medallist, engraver.

Wilhelm Mayer studied in Stuttgart and set up an engraver's atelier there.

https://www.oxfordartonline.com/benezit/abstract/10.1093/benz/9780199773787.001.0001/acref-9780199773787-e-00119480?rskey=sFvyA6&result=115

Wilhelm also did this one:

One of the most beautiful medals associated with the Columbian Exposition that NGC graded was this giant 3.5-inch medal honoring Columbus. The medal was issued to commemorate the Italian-American Exposition that was held in Genoa, Italy in 1892, which celebrated the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. This exposition ran from July 10 to December 4 and drew 808,572 visitors, versus the much larger Columbian Expo in Chicago, which ran from May 1, 1893 to October 30, 1893, and drew over 27 million visitors.

This is a larger version of Eglit-427, and is similar to Eglit-273. The American version from the Columbian Expo in Chicago is Eglit-55, and was made by the same firm. The obverse features a half-length bust of Columbus wearing a soft cap, holding a chart. The reverse has two female figures — an Indian Princess pointing out to a seated Italia three caravels sailing towards a setting sun (Columbus’ three ships that began the voyage). Exposition buildings are behind them, and the arms of Genoa above. Eglit notes that this medal “is one of the finest examples of the works of Wilhelm Mayer.” Mayer’s initials appear on the smaller version. The medal above is gilt-bronze and graded NGC MS 64. It also exists in bronze, aluminum, and presumably silver.

https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/7108/medals/

keets · November 25, 2020 6:04AM

during the past 10-20 years, Gilt Bronze examples of many Eglit listings have started to show up, medals which were previously undocumented in that format. it seems that this may have been a chosen format for the Italian celebration. pure speculation on my part, but it may be that they were held by Italian or European collectors and are only now surfacing due in part to development of the internet. whatever the circumstances, no doubt the gilding done by W. Mayer and Co. was robust and helped preserve the medals in pristine condition through all these years.

A hard medal to image.

Comments

Leave a Comment

Categories