102464 | FRANCE. Caen. St. Stephen's Church bronze Medal.

102464  |  FRANCE. Caen. St. Stephen's Church bronze Medal. Issued 1862. Most Remarkable Edifices of Europe series (59mm, 84.54 g, 12h). By J. Wiener in Brussels and struck at the Geerts mint in Ixelles.

 

Perspective view of the church exterior from the northeast; in two lines in exergue, EGLISE St ETIENNE / A CAEN // Perspective view of the church interior, looking eastward down the nave from just right of the centerline; FONDÉE 1061 / PAR GUILLAUME / LE CONQUÉRANT in three lines in panel to left; CONSACRÉE 1066 / ACHEVÉE XIV SIECLE in two lines in panel to right. Edge: Plain.

 

Ross M248 (R2); cf. van Hoydonck 191; cf. Reinecke 38. Gem Mint State. Glossy chocolate brown surfaces, with great lustrous brilliance. A later die state from the scarcer obverse type, featuring a strong die crack running up from the bottom, through the A, the second E in EGLISE, and upward into the edifice itself.

 

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 Jacques, 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.

 

Upload: 17 July 2023.