Stuff I Love

JRocco · Veteran Member

Hey Chuck,
How are you?
Thanks for the advice and you are, as usual, 100% correct. I shoot with a Reveal bulb and an OTT bulb. How you were able to know that is way over my head, but you are right.
I like the OTT light, but only have one lamp so I usually place a second lamp with a Reveal bulb as backup for extra lighting. I guess I should break down and get a second OTT lamp.
Thanks for the tip Chuck.
Best,
John

JRocco · Veteran Member

Hey. I forgot about this thread.

The seller of this piece described this as an original 1590 Pope Sixtus V medal. I do not think it is an original, but instead a 19th century restrike. It is dated 1590 (AN VI) and is a really nice high relief piece.

The obverse shows Pope Sixtus V in high relief while the reverse shows a beautiful rendition of The two horses of the Quirinal, with the fountain between. Let me give a real quick explanation.
The Quirinale hill used to be called Montecavallo (Horse Hill) due to the presence of the large marble statues of the Dioscuri twins and their horses. The twins are the great horseman Castor and the formidable boxer Pollux, sons of Leda and Zeus and brothers of Helen of Troy.

This one just found a long time home.

GarryN · Expert Member

The medal from the August 24 post with the room scene is also inscribed to Pius IX. If I could get an example of that one that would be awesome.

KurtS · Senior Member

I particularly like how the loose sculptural quality of the bust was transferred to the die and ultimately the medal. I'll guess this medal was made at a later date than Sixtus V, but it shows a high degree of skill by whatever process was used.

JRocco · Veteran Member

I agree Kurt.
Hey Garry-here is the obverse of the medal you mentioned.

GarryN · Expert Member

All I can say John, is wow! I think that covers it... Very Happy

Bob P · Site Admin

Beautiful picture John Laughing

Dick · Expert Member

John, I know nothng of medals, and would be the last to bring up a question, but in the "rendition' of the two horses, and the two boys?, I seem to have trouble agreeing with the story. Tthe one on the left with the stud, does not appear to be a boy, and the one o the right with the mare, is definitely a boy, but with breasts??? Engraving "typo"???
Dick

Bob P · Site Admin

He was working out his pecs before he modeled for the medal Dick Laughing

cnladue · Veteran Member

those are the most beautifull coins i have ever seen!

JRocco · Veteran Member

JRocco · Veteran Member

Here is one that I just picked up- This one a very rare piece in silver.

This is dated 1572 and shows Gregory XIII on the obverse and the
reverse shows a depiction of the Massacre of the Huguenots.
It measures 9 on the Mionnet scale. It is a silver piece just about the size of a half dollar.
I see a reference in the Spink catalogue to a silver piece that is mounted.
Spink # 699

I love this stuff.

JRocco · Veteran Member

Can't believe it has been over a half year since I have been here. Let me kick this one back up with a medal I cherish.
Years ago I owned this variety and after years of searching I once again found her.
This one will stay with me for a while.
Let me enter a brief description of this piece.
This bronze medal is huge. It measures 82 mm in diameter and 8-9 mm in thickness.
This is the medal referred to earlier in this thread.

"Consecration of the Restored Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
Obverse: Bust of Pius IX facing left, wearing zucchetto, mozzetta, and decorative stole. Around, PIVS IX PONT · MAX ·. Below, I · BIANCHI F ·.
Reverse: Interior view of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, looking down the central nave towards the apse. Around the border, PIVS · IX · P · M · BASILICAM · PAVLI · APOST · AB · INCENDIO · REFECTAM · SOLEMNI · RITV · CONSECRAVIT · IV · ID · DEC · MDCCCLIV. In exergue, AL · POLETTI · ARCH · INV ·. At the base of the floor, I · BIANCHI · FECIT ·.

Medal issued to commemorate the consecration of the Basilica of Saint Paul by Pius IX in 1854 and was created by Giuseppe Bianchi. The reverse of the medal features a stunning three-dimensional engraving of the central nave of the reconstructed basilica. The architect of the reconstruction, Luigi Poletti, is mentioned on the reverse in the exergue inscription. The date of the consecration (December 10, 1854) is provided on the reverse using the Julian calendar (IV · ID · DEC · MDCCCLIV). The reverse inscription can be translated as "Basilica of the Apostle Paul, from the Fire to Solemnity by the Ceremony of Consecration".

Historical Background: The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls was nearly completely destroyed by a fire on July 15, 1823. It is believed that the fire was caused by a negligent workman repairing the lead on the basilica's roof. The reconstruction was a major event, with various countries contributing. The basilica reopened in 1840, but was not fully completed until 1931 when the central bronze doors were installed. The transept was consecrated during the 1840 reopening by the current pontiff, Gregory XVI. The basilica as a whole was not consecrated until December 10, 1854 by Pius IX. The reconstruction work was begun under Pasquale Belli and completed under Luigi Poletti. Unfortunately, during the reconstruction, much of the original basilica and frescoes were lost. "
Obverse

Reverse

daggit · Senior Member

OMG Beautiful medal, and great pics I feel like I could walk right in.

Dick · Expert Member

Sandra, I have seen these pictures, before, and I am humbled, at the quality, and clarity, of them! I could not believe such craftmanship could be transferred to a coin, if I hadn't seen it!
Yes, one could "just walk right on in", and never know that you had to "shrink yourself to be able"!
Dick