102014 | GREAT BRITAIN. Westminster Abbey bronze Medal.

102014  |  GREAT BRITAIN. Westminster Abbey bronze Medal. Issued 1855. Most Remarkable Edifices of Europe series (59mm, 94.72 g, 12h). By J. Wiener in Brussels & Elkington and Co., and struck at the Geerts mint in Ixelles.

 

WESTMINSTER ABBEY, exterior view of the abbey building from the west-northwest / Interior view of the Henry VII chapel from just to the right of the center aisle centerline looking toward the altar; in three lines in exergue, ST. PETER'S CHURCH FOUNDED ABOUT 612 / REBUILT AND ERECTED AN ABBEY / 958 AND 1049-1066; in four lines to left, THE PRESENT CHURCH CONSTRUCTED / 1220-1285 / RESTORED END OF THE / XVII CENTURY; in four lines to right, WESTMINSTER HALL BUILT 1397 / THE CHAPEL OF HENRY VII / COMMENCED 1503 / RESTORED 1809. Edge: Plain.

 

Ross M189; van Hoydonck 142; Reinecke 35; Taylor 8b; BHM 2592; Eimer 1506. Choice Mint State. Rich red-brown surfaces, with a great glossy nature and only a few light marks; a few spots of minor corrosion on the obverse are noted for completeness, but not distracting Undoubtedly one of the most attractive and intricate—if not the most intricate—medals in this ambitious series. Compare to a similar example, though far less lustrous, in Stack's Coin Galleries 18 August 2009 auction, lot 6104 (which realized a hammer of $425 [plus buyer's fee]).

 

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 Jacob, 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.