Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
January 2014 NYINC Auction - Sess. C-D 13 January 2014
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FRANCE. Statue of Liberty Inaugurated, 1886.
68mm silver, by Roty. Maier 92, Baxter 30 (bronze). Obverse: Small angel, in French Republican cap, transports (in a rowboat!) twin goddesses (France and USA) to the Statue of Liberty, in shadowy focus in the background. "Colossal Statue of Liberty Enlightens the World." Date of Inauguration (28 Octubre MDCCCLXXXVI) in field.
Reverse: National Shields flank a medallion of the sculptor, Bartholdi, a laurel sprig below, SOUVENIR DE L'INDEPENDENCE AMERICAINE, dates 1776 and 1886, etc.
Issue of the Union Franco-Americaine, whose raison d'etre was to commission the statue, in tribute to the long amity of the two nations. This was (surprisingly?) very important to France, as indicated by the selection of national hero Ferdinand de Lesseps, of Suez Canal fame, as the Union's second president. As is well known, Bartholdi was the sculptor and Gustave Eiffel made sure the statue stood up. Artistically, this is the finest Statue of Liberty medal, and perhaps the most beautiful French medal with an American theme. Occasionally seen in bronze, at about $400-500, with silver examples at least three times as scarce. CHOICE EXTREMELY FINE.
68mm silver, by Roty. Maier 92, Baxter 30 (bronze). Obverse: Small angel, in French Republican cap, transports (in a rowboat!) twin goddesses (France and USA) to the Statue of Liberty, in shadowy focus in the background. "Colossal Statue of Liberty Enlightens the World." Date of Inauguration (28 Octubre MDCCCLXXXVI) in field.
Reverse: National Shields flank a medallion of the sculptor, Bartholdi, a laurel sprig below, SOUVENIR DE L'INDEPENDENCE AMERICAINE, dates 1776 and 1886, etc.
Issue of the Union Franco-Americaine, whose raison d'etre was to commission the statue, in tribute to the long amity of the two nations. This was (surprisingly?) very important to France, as indicated by the selection of national hero Ferdinand de Lesseps, of Suez Canal fame, as the Union's second president. As is well known, Bartholdi was the sculptor and Gustave Eiffel made sure the statue stood up. Artistically, this is the finest Statue of Liberty medal, and perhaps the most beautiful French medal with an American theme. Occasionally seen in bronze, at about $400-500, with silver examples at least three times as scarce. CHOICE EXTREMELY FINE.