Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
Collector's Choice October 2021 Auction 12-14 Oct 2021
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MIXED LOTS. Duo of Ancient Inspired Medals (2 Pieces). CHOICE UNCIRCULATED.
1) Greek - Kings of Macedon - Germany. Alexander III 'the Great' of Macedon Silver Medal, 1970. Diameter: 30mm; Weight: 22.13 gms. Issued for the 2nd International Coin Bourse in Berlin Obverse: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin; Reverse: 2 INTERNATIONALE / MÜNZBÖRSE BERLIN, stylized skyline of Berlin, with electric tower and civic coat-of-arms. Edge: Plain. Light steely gray surfaces, with a good deal of brilliance. A great ancient-inspired modern medal.
1) Greek - Kings of Macedon - Germany. Alexander III 'the Great' of Macedon Silver Medal, 1970. Diameter: 30mm; Weight: 22.13 gms. Issued for the 2nd International Coin Bourse in Berlin Obverse: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin; Reverse: 2 INTERNATIONALE / MÜNZBÖRSE BERLIN, stylized skyline of Berlin, with electric tower and civic coat-of-arms. Edge: Plain. Light steely gray surfaces, with a good deal of brilliance. A great ancient-inspired modern medal.
Drawing inspiration from the coins in the name of Alexander III 'the Great' of Macedon, this medal presents the iconic obverse that Alexander started with his massive output of coinage. Featuring the bust of Herakles/Hercules draped in a lion skin, these coins were struck throughout the entirety of Alexander's growing empire and, on account of their status as a coin of the realm, continued to be struck in many instances by successors and city-states many years, even centuries, after his death in 323 B.C.E.
2) Roman Empire - Germany. Marcus Aurelius Silver Medal, 1979. Diameter: 40mm; Weight: 29.80 gms. Commemorating the 2,000th anniversary of the founding of Regensburg (as Castra Regina). Obverse: Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; pseudo-legend around; Reverse: - REGENSBURG 2 JAHRTAUSENDE GESCHICHTE - / JUBILÄUMSJAHR 1979, aerial view of the camp's plans containing CASTRA / REGINA / 179-1979 in three lines. Edge: Plain. Exceptionally prooflike and brilliant, with some frosting to the devices and a subtle tone; a fair amount of hairlines are noted in the fields.
The beginnings of Regensburg date to C.E. 179 when a Roman fort was established on the River Regen, hence the name 'Castra Regina.' In celebration of the 2,000th anniversary of this event, the present medal was issued drawing inspiration from the coinage of Marcus Aurelius, emperor at the time of the fort's founding and the fifth and final of the so-called "five good emperors."
Estimate: $60 - $100