102832 | UNITED STATES. Cathedral of St. Peter & St. Paul silvered WM Medal.

102832  |  UNITED STATES. Philadelphia. Cathedral of St. Peter & St. Paul silvered white metal Medal. Issued 1864 (79mm, 223.56 g, 12h). By A. Paquet.

 

CATHEDRAL OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL, PHILADELPHIA, frontal view of the cathedral; in two lines in exergue, BEGUN 1846 / COMPLETED 1864 // TU ES PETRUS ET SUPER HANC PETRAM AEDIFICABO ECCLESIAM MEAM / VAS ELECTIONIS EST MIHI ISTE UT PORTET NOMEN MEUM CORAM GENTIBUS, perspective interior view, from a vantage point just left of center. Edge: Plain.

 

Eidlitz 1129. Choice Mint State. Later silvering and engraving in 1890, as is fairly customary for the type; alluring matte surfaces. Includes original case of issue. Previously housed in an NGC Details holder on account of the "altered surfaces." Nevertheless, NGC has straight-graded other examples with such silvering and later engraving, so their tougher stance in this instance merely points to their wild inconsistencies. Compare to these such straight-graded examples, which have had identical post-mint alterations. A very rare and extremely popular type.

 

Ex: Bowers & Merena (September 1985), lot 3208.

 

An obvious analog to the architectural medals of the Wieners from Belgium and Bianchi in Italy, this piece by U.S. mint engraver Anthony C. Paquet stands out on account of its size and majesty, as well as its ability, similar to the other 3-D architectural types, to draw in the gaze and astonishment of the viewer. The New York Times even referred to it as "...the handsomest ever issued in the United States and the most artistic and elaborate design ever cut by this celebrated engraver."

 

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Upload: 15 July 2024.