DENMARK. Christian VII King of Denmark/Stay in Paris Silver Uniface Medal, ND (ca. 1768). CHOICE UNCIRCULATED.
Bergsöe-pl. II, 1139. By Monte. Diameter: 46mm. Weight: 36.4 g. Obverse: Draped and cuirassed bust of Christian facing right, perimeter legend CHRISTIAN VII ROI DE DANMARCK. above; script signature below bust. Christian's mother was the youngest daughter of Great Britain's George II. When he was just two years old, she died at age 27 due to complications of pregnancy. The young Christian developed symptoms of mental illness during childhood that would not only last, but become progressively worse over his lifetime. His father died at age 42, putting Christian on the throne at age 17. He married his first cousin Princess Caroline Matilda of Great Britain when she was just 15. The marriage was an unhappy one, though they did produce an heir in January 1768. In May that year, under his traveling name the "Prince of Travendahl," Christian made an extensive tour of Europe (including Paris) without Caroline Matilda, with stops including London, in the hopes that his behaviors would change. The trip was unsuccessful in that regard and Christian divorced Caroline Matilda in 1772. From this point forward, the kingdom of Denmark and Norway was ruled by a series of regents until his death in 1808. This medal struck in commemoration of his stay in Paris. A very stylistically interesting medal, particularly in the choice of lettering punch style and the granular surface texture, almost reminiscent of sandblasting. Satiny surface details of a uniform argent hue contrast with darker shades in the design details and lettering background. Extremely rare, choice, and desirable.
Margolis had a few rather overt interests in his collecting of medallic art. One such theme was that of medals pertaining to man's earliest pursuits to conquer the heavens in the form of ballooning. The European exploits of the late 18th century are contained here across many different country categories. Also quite noticeable was his interest in the medallic art of Jewish engravers, such as Jakob Abraham and his son, Abraham Abramson, among numerous others. Across this selection of medals, these themes and topics will become obvious, adding further dimensions to the already intense focus with which Margolis pursued his collecting.
From the Richard Margolis Collection.

Estimate: $300.00 - $500.00