102043 | FRANCE. Paris. Notre-Dame Cathedral bronze Medal.

102043  |  FRANCE. Paris. Notre-Dame Cathedral bronze Medal. Issued 1855. Most Remarkable Edifices of Europe series (59mm, 93.70 g, 12h). By J. & Ch. Wiener in Brussels and struck at the Geerts mint in Ixelles.

 

NOTRE–DAME CATHEDRAL DE PARIS, exterior view of the cathedral from the south-southeast / FONDÉE SIÈCLE, RECONSTRUITE 1160 PAR L'EVÊQUE MAURICE DE SULLY. TERMINÉE SOUS PHILIPPE AUGUSTE. AUGMENTÉE SOUS St LOUIS ET DE SES SUCCESSEURS JUSQU'À 1300. LA RESTAURATION COMMENCÉE 1845 VIOLLET–LE DUC LASSUS ARCHIT, view of the interior looking down the nave toward the apse from an eyepoint just slightly to the right of the center of the center aisle. Edge: Plain.

 

Ross M150 (R1); van Hoydonck 122; Reinecke 40. Mint State details. Extremely brilliant and glossy, with rich brown surfaces; the fresh scratch on the obverse accounts for the details designation, and is the product of a ham-handed United States custom agent in Chicago, who damaged this otherwise flawless specimen upon entry into the country; without the minor scratch, it would be a clear gem, and priced much higher. Such are the perils of transit and listless bureaucrats! Also, this serves as a perfect illustration of survival rates and how treasures from the past can be damaged when not cared after by dealer or collector.

 

Compare to an inferior example—save for the scratch—in Stack's Coin Galleries (10 September 2008), lot 1641 (which sold for a total of $529) and that same example in Stack's Bowers more recent CCO (22 April 2020), lot 30008 (which sold for a total of $840[!]).

 

From what is today eastern Netherlands and western Germany, the Wieners were a Jewish family of exceptional medalists, especially known for numerous numismatic works throughout the Kingdom of Belgium. Eldest brother Jacques, along with younger brothers Leopold and Charles, created some of the finest works of medallic art of the 19th century, and all are particularly noted for their work in the highly detailed and intricate work of architectural renderings.

 

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