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temp. HANOVER. Giovanni Battista Belzoni, Venetian explorer, actor, and engineer. 1778-1823. Æ Medal (53mm, 12h). By T. I. Wells; Manufactured by E. Thomason. Dated 1818 (though struck circa 1822). GIOVANNI BELZONI, bare head left / OPENED BY G. BELZONI, view of the Second Pyramid of Giza; MARCH 2ND 1818 in exergue. BHM 969; Eimer 1105. In PCGS encapsulation 34590344, graded SP 64. Rare.
From the DMS Collection.
A veritable Renaissance man, Giovanni Battista Belzoni was born in Padua in 1778, and became famous on multiple accounts as an actor, explorer, engineer, and Egyptologist. His exceptional stature and strength gave him a impressive stage presence, and became known as 'The Great Belzoni' around Europe. His travels eventually led him to Egypt, where he first attempted to introduce improved hydraulic machines for raising the waters of the Nile. This engineering pursuit gave way to the acquisition and promotion of Egyptian antiquities, overseeing the removal and shipment of the massive bust Rameses II (known as the 'Young Memnon') to the British Museum, as well as exploring and opening the Second Pyramid of Giza (known as the Pyramid of Khafre/Chefren). Belzoni's exploits were tragically cut short, however, as he died from dysentery in a small village in modern-day Nigeria.
From the DMS Collection.
A veritable Renaissance man, Giovanni Battista Belzoni was born in Padua in 1778, and became famous on multiple accounts as an actor, explorer, engineer, and Egyptologist. His exceptional stature and strength gave him a impressive stage presence, and became known as 'The Great Belzoni' around Europe. His travels eventually led him to Egypt, where he first attempted to introduce improved hydraulic machines for raising the waters of the Nile. This engineering pursuit gave way to the acquisition and promotion of Egyptian antiquities, overseeing the removal and shipment of the massive bust Rameses II (known as the 'Young Memnon') to the British Museum, as well as exploring and opening the Second Pyramid of Giza (known as the Pyramid of Khafre/Chefren). Belzoni's exploits were tragically cut short, however, as he died from dysentery in a small village in modern-day Nigeria.