Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
January 2014 NYINC Auction - Sess. C-D 13 January 2014
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FRANCE. Heroes of Verdun, 1916.
68mm silver, by Charles Pillet. Maier 209. Obverse: Two goddesses, representing the nation and the army, staring down an eagle bearing a sword, representing Germany; at lower right, the motto "They Shall Not Pass". Reverse: Wreath, inscription and, at top, three medallions of French generals.
Verdun epitomized the nature of trench warfare. The French dug in and held against the German advance, which intended to repeat Bismarck's success of 1870.
France issued many 68mm medals during WW1. The silver strikes are likely more than 10 times as rare as the bronzes, and yet the low estimate is less than the 2011 melt value. With the centennial of WW1 approaching, this seems a little odd. Some duller toning on obverse.
MINT STATE.
68mm silver, by Charles Pillet. Maier 209. Obverse: Two goddesses, representing the nation and the army, staring down an eagle bearing a sword, representing Germany; at lower right, the motto "They Shall Not Pass". Reverse: Wreath, inscription and, at top, three medallions of French generals.
Verdun epitomized the nature of trench warfare. The French dug in and held against the German advance, which intended to repeat Bismarck's success of 1870.
France issued many 68mm medals during WW1. The silver strikes are likely more than 10 times as rare as the bronzes, and yet the low estimate is less than the 2011 melt value. With the centennial of WW1 approaching, this seems a little odd. Some duller toning on obverse.
MINT STATE.