100374 | GERMANY. Ernst Georg Sonnin silver Medal.

100374 | GERMANY. Ernst Georg Sonnin silver Medal. Dated 1862. Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Opening of the Second Version of St. Michael's Church in Hamburg (42mm, 28.70 g, 12h). By H. Lorenz in Berlin.

 

DER HERR GIEBT GNADE UND EHRE PS 84,12 / E G SONNIN / GEB 1709 GEST 1794, uniformed bust left, wearing tricorne hat / GOTT DER HERR IST SONNE UND SCHILD, / K St MICHAELIS ZU HAMBURG, façade of St. Michael's Church; in two lines in exergue, GEWEIHET 19 OCT 1762 / 19 OCT 1862. Edge: Plain.

 

Gaedechens 2111; Wurzbach 8484. Choice Proof. An exceptionally bold strike, with supremely mirrored surfaces and an enchanting tone comprised of cobalt blue and sea foam green near the peripheries and around the devices; some light hairlines are noted for completeness. Highly attractive.

 

The original St. Michael's Church was completed in 1669, though it was destroyed in 1750 by a lightning strike. In 1762, the second version was initially completed under the purvey of Sonnin and Johann Leonhard Prey, though this too was to suffer an unfortunate fate–first catching fire in 1906 and then being badly damaged during the allied bombings of 1944-5.

 

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