Roger Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 <font size=3><b>Not often does your personal numismatic Holy Grail drop into your lap but it just happened to me. 7 years ago I bid too low on a bronze Italian medal struck for the 1893 Columbian Exposition (Eglit 107). After missing out on my first purchase attempt I have been looking for one ever since. Then last week I stumbled across this Eglit 106 up for auction. (The 107 is a reduced version of the 106). I never dreamed that an Eglit 106 would come up for sale so this time it had to be mine! And so here it is. <p><p><img src=http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/0/2/4/5/7/0/webimg/618513878_o.jpg><p><img src=http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/0/2/4/5/7/0/webimg/618513906_o.jpg><p><p> Eglit 106—1893 Columbian Exposition Size: 102mm, Weight 467 grams Material: Bronze Designed: Lodovico Pogliaghi Engraver: Modello A. Cappuccio Struck By: Stefano Johnson of Milano Eglit states that these were issued in Milan but I interpret that as being struck in Milan and then shipped to the Exposition to be sold as a retail item. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedeadpoint Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 Congrats, Roger! What a great piece and story!! How many were issued? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Posted October 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 Congrats, Roger! What a great piece and story!! How many were issued? Thanks, I don't know the mintage however the "White Medal" version seems to come up for auction more than the bronze. After a little research I found out that the Johnson workshop was destroyed by air raids in 1943 so the number may never be known. NGC grades these so a clue may be found in their population report IF they report medals? Here is a description of the Medal: Obverse: bust of Columbus facing left, Cristoforo Colombo around, all within circular central depression. Indian princess left grasps hand of Europa at right. Above all is the Western Hemisphere with Columbus' first voyage route marked. Spread eagle at the bottom. Reverse: the fruits of Columbus' discoveries, personification of Civilization at center surrounded by genii, and Indian warriors below. At left is a coastline with Washington in distance. The outer rim is made of coats of arms of all the U.S. states* and Roman numeral dates 1892 and 1492. *Edit---The reference guides have sometimes listed these as coat of arms of the US States--however close examination of the medal suggests that these are actually Coats of Arms for the Countries of the Americas as I have Identified two South American Coats of Arms. With more research I can probably firm this up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
constanius Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 It is an absolutely stunning piece, I can quite understand why it had to be yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schutzenfester Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 Beautiful medal. Congratulations on your acquisition! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke_idk Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 Italo-American exhibition was held in Genova (Columbus fatherland) in 1892, to celebrate the fourth centennial of America's dicovery and you can see the date on yours medal's reverse. You can see some pictures of the exhibition, here http://www.lanternaf...Esposizione.htm and your medal, here http://numismatica-i...moneta/W-ME54/5 Other medals, here http://numismatica-i...a.it/cat/W-ME54 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 A wonderful medal. Congratulations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Posted October 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 Italo-American exhibition was held in Genova (Columbus fatherland) in 1892, to celebrate the fifth centennial fo America's dicovery and you can see the date on yours medal's reverse. Thanks for the links! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccg Posted October 30, 2012 Report Share Posted October 30, 2012 A stunning piece! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank Posted November 2, 2012 Report Share Posted November 2, 2012 Really beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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