102774 | BELGIUM. Brussels. Cathedral of Sts. Michael and Gudula bronze Medal.

102774  |  BELGIUM. Brussels. Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula bronze Medal. Issued 1862. Most Remarkable Edifices of Europe series (59mm, 86.73 g, 12h). By J. Wiener in Brussels and struck at the Geerts mint in Ixelles.

 

ÉGLISE COLLÉGIALE DES S. S. MICHEL ET GUDULE A BRUXELLES, facing view of the western façade of the church, the eyepoint being just left of center // BATIE PAR LAMBERT II, Cte DE LOUVAIN / ET DE BRABANT / 1047 - LE CHOEUR ACHEVÉ / 1240, interior view of the church with a relatively symmetric view straight down the nave toward the apse; in two lines in exergue, LES TRAVAUX DE RESTAURATION / COMMENCÉS 1839. Edge: Plain.

 

Ross M251 (R2); van Hoydonck 39; Reinecke 5. Choice Mint State. Glossy brown surfaces, with immense brilliance in the fields. Compare to a similar example, a PCGS SP-64 that realized a total of $600 in the recent Stack's Bowers May CCO auction (15 May 2024), lot 32830.

 

Considered one of the finest examples of Brabantine Gothic architecture, the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula is dedicated to the two patron saints of Brussels. Begun with the groundbreaking for the chapel in the 9th century, it continued to be augmented during the 11th-15th centuries, with even more modifications made to the interior through the later centuries. It was elevated to cathedral status in 1962, and now serves as the national church of Belgium.

 

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.

 

Upload: 3 September 2024.