Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3044 3-4 January 2016
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Great Britain
Pair of Waterloo Medal Negative Image Galvanic Molds by Pistrucci (1815), Eimer-1067var., BHM-870var. Undoubtedly the Waterloo medal is one of the most widely known and desired medals from the 19th century. Master engraver Benedetto Pistrucci took 33 years to complete the work on this medal. Its dimensions are mammoth: 140.8 mm in diameter. These galvanic molds are larger still, with an outer rim encircling each side. The background for the creation and execution of the medal was treated at length in our Tokens and Medals catalog from September 2008, lot 28829, when we offered (and sold) a copper medal.The size of these medals precluded traditional striking on a press. All Waterloo medals were produced as electrotypes from an electroform such as this one. An in-depth discussion of this process is in a recent issue of the E-Sylum by Dick Johnson, volume 11, number 36, article #17. The exact source of these particular molds is not known as the consignor purchased them from an estate sale. The most desirable provenance would be the original Pinches mold from 1849. However, this is unprovable as far as we know, and several other molds have been produced over the years. An interesting passage in Johnson's article tells of the accuracy of this form of reproduction:"The most important thing you should remember about electroforming--it replicates minute detail. In comparison with other methods of making numismatic items, foundry casting reproduces detail down to 1/100 of an inch, die striking reproduces detail down to 1/1000th of an inch, but electroforming reproduces detail down to to the width of an atom!"Medalmakers have a saying about this: "If it is in the model, it is in the medal."These two molds have a thick layer of wax on the back of each and on the flange outside the design area. The wax is clear, milky-white, and red in various areas. The purpose of the wax, as again explained by Dick Johnson, is to provide resistant material where no metal is wanted to be deposited in the plating process. According to Johnson, "If this were not done the metal would deposit on both sides, all around and entomb the desired electroform." It was the consignor's belief that the different colors of wax most likely represent periodic touching up, thus indicating production over a long time period. Johnson agreed, and added "Electrotypers generally only keep one kind of wax on hand."These two molds are magnificent. They appear almost perfectly preserved. The copper shows only the slightest oil-slick iridescence. Each mold has a loop at the top, enabling each to be hung on a wall for display. A wonderful and historic pair of medallic mementoes.
Estimate: 2000-3000 USD
Pair of Waterloo Medal Negative Image Galvanic Molds by Pistrucci (1815), Eimer-1067var., BHM-870var. Undoubtedly the Waterloo medal is one of the most widely known and desired medals from the 19th century. Master engraver Benedetto Pistrucci took 33 years to complete the work on this medal. Its dimensions are mammoth: 140.8 mm in diameter. These galvanic molds are larger still, with an outer rim encircling each side. The background for the creation and execution of the medal was treated at length in our Tokens and Medals catalog from September 2008, lot 28829, when we offered (and sold) a copper medal.The size of these medals precluded traditional striking on a press. All Waterloo medals were produced as electrotypes from an electroform such as this one. An in-depth discussion of this process is in a recent issue of the E-Sylum by Dick Johnson, volume 11, number 36, article #17. The exact source of these particular molds is not known as the consignor purchased them from an estate sale. The most desirable provenance would be the original Pinches mold from 1849. However, this is unprovable as far as we know, and several other molds have been produced over the years. An interesting passage in Johnson's article tells of the accuracy of this form of reproduction:"The most important thing you should remember about electroforming--it replicates minute detail. In comparison with other methods of making numismatic items, foundry casting reproduces detail down to 1/100 of an inch, die striking reproduces detail down to 1/1000th of an inch, but electroforming reproduces detail down to to the width of an atom!"Medalmakers have a saying about this: "If it is in the model, it is in the medal."These two molds have a thick layer of wax on the back of each and on the flange outside the design area. The wax is clear, milky-white, and red in various areas. The purpose of the wax, as again explained by Dick Johnson, is to provide resistant material where no metal is wanted to be deposited in the plating process. According to Johnson, "If this were not done the metal would deposit on both sides, all around and entomb the desired electroform." It was the consignor's belief that the different colors of wax most likely represent periodic touching up, thus indicating production over a long time period. Johnson agreed, and added "Electrotypers generally only keep one kind of wax on hand."These two molds are magnificent. They appear almost perfectly preserved. The copper shows only the slightest oil-slick iridescence. Each mold has a loop at the top, enabling each to be hung on a wall for display. A wonderful and historic pair of medallic mementoes.
Estimate: 2000-3000 USD