FRANCE. Jacques Necker Uniface White Metal Medal, ND (ca. 1789). CHOICE ALMOST UNCIRCULATED.
cf. Julius-36 (obverse). By Benjamin-Simon Duvivier. Diameter: 41.2mm. Weight: 16.4 g. Obverse: Bust of Necker facing left, perimeter legend JACQUES NECKER GENEVOIS NE EN OCTOBRE MDCCXXXII; signature INSCIUM S. DUVIVIER on truncation of bust. Jacques Necker served as Finance Minister under Louis XVI. Beginning this role in 1777, he took the unprecedented step of publishing the country's budget in 1781, resulting in his dismissal. The country's mounting financial crisis during the 1780's saw him recalled in 1788 only to be dismissed again on 11 July 1788 - adding fuel to the fire that led to the storming of the Bastille three days later. Necker was reinstated on 16 July. This obverse die was ultimately paired with a reverse proclaiming his intermittent periods as Finance Minister, ending with his triumphant 1789 return. This medal offers bright argent surfaces with just a hint of wear and a possible old cleaning.
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: $60.00 - $100.00