1792 Lyon Convention Medal by Galle. Mazard-318. Metal de cloche, 39.2 mm. MS-62 (PCGS).

763.7 grains. Thick planchet, 4.8 mm thick. Struck in coin turn. An exceptionally well realized medal, with boldly rendered design elements on both sides from a deep and well centered strike on the stout planchet. The surfaces are glossy and as smooth as this composition ever appears. Some microscopic roughness appears hidden around the design elements, most notable near A of FRANCOISE though trivial even there. A light fissure in the planchet is present near the extremities of Liberty's lower tresses. This unusual piece's thickness (leading to unusual sharpness of the design) is not its only distinctive feature. Among the four Lyon Convention medals in the Margolis Collection, this is the only one with the dies aligned in coin turn. That it happens to be so eye appealing adds another layer of already significant interest.

From the Richard Margolis Collection. Earlier from Del Bland at the Metropolitan Washington Numismatic Convention, July 1979.

Estimate: $1000