Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
August 2023 Global Showcase Auction 14-21 Aug 2023
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SWEDEN. Anders Adolph Retzius Silver Medal, 1867. PCGS SPECIMEN-63.
Brettauer-966; Hyckert-II, 146, 1; Olsén-183; Granberg-256. By L. Ahlborn. Diameter: 31mm; Weight: 14.58 gms. Swedish Academy series. Obverse: Bare head right; Reverse: Two skulls set upon draped table along with forceps. Highly lustrous surfaces, with a light golden-orange and cobalt tone near the peripheries. A VERY RARE and desirable type from the Swedish Academy series, especially noted for its macabre nature with two skulls upon the reverse.
Brettauer-966; Hyckert-II, 146, 1; Olsén-183; Granberg-256. By L. Ahlborn. Diameter: 31mm; Weight: 14.58 gms. Swedish Academy series. Obverse: Bare head right; Reverse: Two skulls set upon draped table along with forceps. Highly lustrous surfaces, with a light golden-orange and cobalt tone near the peripheries. A VERY RARE and desirable type from the Swedish Academy series, especially noted for its macabre nature with two skulls upon the reverse.
After studying medicine at Lund University and in Copenhagen, Retzius became a doctor and received a professorship at the Karolinska Institute in 1824. His role would continue to grow there, ultimately becoming a permanent professor and supervisor in 1840. In addition to other parts of the anatomy, he studied the human cranium, and is credited with defining the cephalic index-the ratio of width to length of one's head. Similar to Blumenbach, he studied the skulls of different races, believing them to be from different origins.
Estimate: $500 - $1000