DENMARK. Henrik Gerner/Sea Cadet Silver Prize Medal, 1787. NGC MS-62.
By Jesper Johansen Holm. Diameter: 58mm. Obverse: Bust of Gerner facing right, perimeter legend HENRIK GERNER FABRIK MESTER above, FÖD 5 IULI 1741 . DÖD . 27 DEC . 1787. below; signature I. I. HOLM below bust; Reverse: Archimedes standing, facing left, his right arm extended; Viking longship resting upon a large rock in the immediate background; perimeter legend VOR ARKIMEDES TIL AERE above; two-line legend AF DE KONGEL DANSKE / SÖE OFFICER ER in exergue below. Edge: 05575. Gerner was a Danish naval officer who specialized in shipbuilding. He graduated from the Naval Cadet Academy in 1763, and by 1772 was given the post of fabrikmester in the Construction Commission. In 1776 he founded a ship construction school. This medal is the Sea Cadet Prize Medal issued in honor of Gerner. This medal offers lovely cabinet-toned argent surfaces augmented by thin layers of both ultramarine and champagne. Well-designed and executed with a perhaps unexpectedly modern reverse design. Attractive.
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