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- - Pistrucci's Waterloo Medallion (photos) (http://goldismoney.info/forums/showthread.php?t=351915)

Junk Woody | 02-22-2009 04:38 PM
Pistrucci's Waterloo Medallion (photos) Howdy Folkes :biggrin: I picked up a new camera (Panasonic Lumix TZ5) a while ago so I thought I'd try it out for some cointography This is a medallion made by John Pinches of London (4.14oz of sterling) I can't do it justice with my photography skills but it didn't turn out to bad for a 1st try. It sure sucks not having a manual focus on the camera Reverse: http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...r/P1000878.jpg Obverse: http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...r/P1000877.jpg

Junk Woody | 02-22-2009 07:21 PM
Re: Pistrucci's Waterloo Medallion (photos) No gold, just terrible florescent lighting

MorganTheGoat | 02-22-2009 07:33 PM
Re: Pistrucci's Waterloo Medallion (photos) That is amazing! An Account of it's making...

argentos | 02-22-2009 08:22 PM
Re: Pistrucci's Waterloo Medallion (photos) Quote:
Originally Posted by MorganTheGoat (Post 1587143) That is amazing! An Account of it's making...
I could not find any account of its making following the link. Here is one history of the original monster: Quote:
Undated (1849) Waterloo Medal by Pistrucci. BHM-870. Electrotype (copper shell, base metal interior), 140.8 mm, 677.5 gm. The famous Waterloo medal by Benedetto Pistrucci is celebrated not only for its mammoth dimensions, stunning beauty, and historical significance, but also for the colorful story surrounding its production. The Battle of Waterloo, perhaps one of the most important single-day battles in history, was fought on June 18, 1815, near Brussels. Approximately 50,000 souls were lost on that fateful day. British and Prussian allied forces defeated Napoleon, thus ending over a decade of the bloody Napoleonic Wars in Europe. To immortalize the successful military campaign, the Duke of Wellington suggested that a couple of special medals be prepared. From a July 11, 1815, letter from Master of the Mint W.W. Pole to the president of the Royal Academy: "I have been commanded to strike two Medals at the Royal Mint in commemoration of the battles of Les Quatre Bras and Waterloo; One, in gold, of the largest size, to embrace the exploits of the allied army under the Duke of Wellington the Prince of Orange and the Duke of Brunswick, and of the Prussian Army under Field Marshal Blucher. This Medal will probably be given to each of the sovereigns in alliance with the Prince Regent, to their ministers and generals." Medallists were petitioned to submit designs for the medal. Pistrucci's design was selected over a design by John Flaxman, which had been recommended by the Royal Academy. However, due to an internal strife at the Royal Mint between Pistrucci, Pole, and Wyon regarding the position of chief engraver, work on the medal got off to a slow start. Ongoing personality conflicts within the Royal Mint, salary disputes, a heavy workload, and the utter complexities of the proposed design were all contributing factors as to why it took Pistrucci 33 years to complete his masterpiece. In 1849 the dies were reportedly finished, but only in terms of design execution. Although the dies were created in four pieces to assist in their hardening, it seems that nobody was willing to take the risk of damaging Pistrucci's work that was three decades in the making. Unfortunately, by this time all of the intended recipients of the medal were deceased, with the exception of Wellington. Gutta-percha impressions and electrotypes were finally created, the current lot being one of the rare original electrotypes. Pistrucci was finally able to see his magnum opus in medal form. He died a few years later, in 1855. The Duke of Wellington and Prussian commander Gerhard von Bl�cher were the allied leaders of the battle, and they are featured on the reverse of this medal. The obverse features Prince Regent George of Britain (later King George IV), Emperor Franz I of Austria, Emperor Alexander I of Russia, and Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III, all facing left. Two allegorical scenes are used on this medal: one of war and one of peace. Amazingly, the Battle of Waterloo story is told in great detail strictly through Pistrucci's elaborate imagery, as not a single legend was utilized. The current example is in a splendid state of preservation, with no flaws worthy of mention. Light brown centers are framed by slightly darker peripheries and the effect is aesthetically pleasing. Spirited bidding competition is anticipated. http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item...&LotIdNo=11057
John Woody's medallion must be one of these: Quote:
Franklin Mint acquired Pinches and had Pinches reduce the famed Waterloo Medal -- still in its archives -- which had only been issued before in galvano form, and prepare dies to strike this in 1972. Franklin Mint sold 5,000 of these medals worldwide. http://24carat.co.uk/
A beautiful piece.

igorthesmall | 02-22-2009 08:24 PM
Re: Pistrucci's Waterloo Medallion (photos) I prefer naked ladies on my coins, not naked dudes, but other than that its kind of cool.

DA1984 | 03-16-2009 11:07 PM
Re: Pistrucci's Waterloo Medallion (photos) I recently picked up one of these at a very reasonable price off ebay and just received it recently. Anyone have a reasonable idea of the value, as the only ones listed for sale online are listed as sold. It doesn't seem I could buy another if I tried?

Junk Woody | 03-17-2009 12:37 AM
Re: Pistrucci's Waterloo Medallion (photos) I think they sold for $200 new if I'm not mistaken.

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