Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 418 11 Apr 2018
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FRANCE, Troisième République. 1870-1940. Æ Medal (56x70mm, 96.4 g, 12h). Contemplation – Trial strike. By Auguste Maillard. Female figure seated facing, head left, holding open book and placing arm around boy standing left; sunrise in background / 2 at center; 0 1 0 7 in corners. EF, small spot of corrosion.
Collector's note: "Normally, the Contemplation Medal is uniface. No so in this instance. It is a rare Paris Mint attempt medal (each attempt was numbered, and this one has inverted number 2 on reverse side). This specimen is exceedingly rare as an attempt (mint trial) medal. It is unique as the second attempt! The obverse scene was ultimately mated with a blank reverse type. A fascinating oddity."
Collector's note: "Normally, the Contemplation Medal is uniface. No so in this instance. It is a rare Paris Mint attempt medal (each attempt was numbered, and this one has inverted number 2 on reverse side). This specimen is exceedingly rare as an attempt (mint trial) medal. It is unique as the second attempt! The obverse scene was ultimately mated with a blank reverse type. A fascinating oddity."