Leu Numismatik AG
Web Auction 20 16-18 Jul 2022
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PADUAN & RELATED MEDALS. Paphlagonia. Amastris. Pseudo-autonomous issue, 2nd century AD. Medal (Bronze, 29 mm, 12.13 g, 8 h), a sharp 16th or 17th century cast imitation. OMH-POC Diademed and draped bust of Homer to right. Rev. ΜΕΛΗϹ - ΑΜΑϹΤΡΙΑΝΩΝ The river-god Meles reclining to left, holding lyre set on his right knee with his right hand and leaning left on urn from which water flows. F. Imhoof-Blumer: Fluss- und Meergötter auf griechischen und römischen Münzen, in: SNR 23 (1923), p. 259, 215 and pl. 8, 21 (this medal, as an authentic Roman Provincial coin!). A highly interesting piece with a very old history. Minor roughness and a few light scratches, otherwise, good very fine.
From the collection of Christian August, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont (1744-1798).
It is somewhat surprising that Imhoof-Blumer mistook this medal as a genuine piece from 2nd century Amastris, but the renowned Swiss numismatist deserves indulgence, as he was likely in part deceived by the illustrious pedigree of the piece, which he hints at on p. 259 in the single-word 'Arolsen'. Bad Arolsen was the residential city of the hourse of Waldeck-Pyrmont, whose collection was in large part assembled by Christian August von Waldeck-Pyrmont (1744-1798) and sold in the 1930s by Münzhandlung Basel as the collection of 'Prince W.' Not only was Christian August an avid collector of coins and an acquaintance of Goethe and Eckhel, he also served many years as a high-ranking officer in the Austrian army before eventually being appointed supreme commander and field marshal of the Portuguese army shortly before his passing in 1798. The fact that our medal once belonged to his collection shows that it dates to the 18th century at the latest, but an earlier manufacture, perhaps in the 17th, if not the 16th century, is probable.
From the collection of Christian August, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont (1744-1798).
It is somewhat surprising that Imhoof-Blumer mistook this medal as a genuine piece from 2nd century Amastris, but the renowned Swiss numismatist deserves indulgence, as he was likely in part deceived by the illustrious pedigree of the piece, which he hints at on p. 259 in the single-word 'Arolsen'. Bad Arolsen was the residential city of the hourse of Waldeck-Pyrmont, whose collection was in large part assembled by Christian August von Waldeck-Pyrmont (1744-1798) and sold in the 1930s by Münzhandlung Basel as the collection of 'Prince W.' Not only was Christian August an avid collector of coins and an acquaintance of Goethe and Eckhel, he also served many years as a high-ranking officer in the Austrian army before eventually being appointed supreme commander and field marshal of the Portuguese army shortly before his passing in 1798. The fact that our medal once belonged to his collection shows that it dates to the 18th century at the latest, but an earlier manufacture, perhaps in the 17th, if not the 16th century, is probable.