102827 | GREAT BRITAIN. London. St. Paul's Cathedral bronze Medal.

102827  |  GREAT BRITAIN. London. St. Paul's Cathedral bronze Medal. Issued 1853. Most Remarkable Edifices of Europe series (59mm, 86.50 g, 12h). By J. Wiener in Brussels & Elkington and Co., and struck at the Geerts mint in Ixelles.

 

Three-quarter perspective frontal view of the cathedral from the northwest; St PAUL'S CATHEDRAL / LONDON in two lines in exergue // Interior perspective view of the central aisle of the nave, from a vantage point to the right of center; in seven lines in exergue, FOUNDED VII CENTURY, BURNT XI CENTURY / REBUILT IN STONE XII AND XIII CENTy / AGAIN BURNT 1666 / REBUILT IN ITS PRESENT STATE / 1675–1710 / ARCHITECT WREN / J WIENER BRUSSELS. Edge: Plain.

 

Ross M135 (R2); van Hoydonck 49; Reinecke –; Eimer 1505; Taylor 39l. Mint State. Red-brown surfaces, with a good deal of remaining brilliance in the fields and some light rub upon the highest points.

 

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.

 

Originally founded in 604, the cathedrals that have stood in the location of St. Paul's have been destroyed by fire numerous times during the middle ages, with the "Old St. Paul's" famously being a calamity during the Great Fire of London in 1666, of which it was one of nearly 90 churches destroyed by the massive conflagration. Sir Christopher Wren was tasked with rebuilding many of these structures, St. Paul's being the crown jewel. This present version was officially consecrated in 1697, some 31 years after the Great Fire. During World War II, the cathedral did suffer some damage from German bombings, but survived mostly without issue.

 

Upload: 16 September 2024.