101576 | SPAIN. Barcelona. Cholera Epidemic bronze Award Medal.

101576  |  SPAIN. Barcelona. Cholera Epidemic bronze Award Medal. Issued 1885 for good deeds done during the public health crisis (53mm, 89.85 g, 12h).

 

Female caregiver standing slightly left, head right, cradling crying child and tending to others who are sick in their beds; to upper right, small figure of the Grim Reaper flying right, carrying scythe and the life of one child with him / EL AYUNTAMIENTO CONSTL / DE / BARCELONA / POR MÉRITOS / CONTRAIDOS DURANTE / EL / CÓLERA / DE / MDCCCLXXXV in nine lines within wreath. Edge: Plain.

 

Crusafont 728a. Choice Mint State. Deep brown surfaces, with great relief on the obverse; a minor rim bruise is noted merely for completeness. An interesting type with extremely current relevance. Please note, the coloring is much deeper and closer to how it appears in the second image; the first image is under brighter lighting in order to better display details that would be hidden by shadows.

 

An infectious disease that is extremely dangerous, cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, encountered when individuals ingest food or water contaminated by the bacterium. Poor hygiene can lead to outbreaks, as those infected can pass along the contagion through their excrement. Prior to a more modern understanding of diseases, these outbreaks could last some time and be difficult to control. Such was the case as for this medal of merit for Barcelona in 1885. This was part of the fifth pandemic of cholera, lasting from 1881 to 1896. The first occurred from 1817 to 1824, with the rise of global trade and a more interconnected world causing recurring rounds throughout the 19th century.

 

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