GERMANY. Death of Heinrich Gottfried Silver Medal, 1779. NGC MS-61.
F&S-3893. By A. König. Diameter: 46mm. Weight: 35.2 g. Obverse: Draped bust of Gottfried facing left, perimeter legend H . G . C . D . M . L . B . D . S & T . S . C . W . C . O . S . R . M . S . N . S . B . & S . OE . W . A . A . B . P . D . IN P. above; signature KONIG below bust; Reverse: Funerary obelisk with ouroboros at base, encircling IMMORTALI, flora to either side of the monument; allegory of the heavens, left, peering through telescope towards right; allegory of nature, weeping at right, leaning on book titled FLOR / SIL; base of monument inscribed NAT 22 FEBR 1734 + DEN 19 NOV 1779; partial lunar eclipse showing in the clouds above; perimeter legend DOLE MUS. to left and right; legend ECLIP . LUN . D . SEP . Ej . 23 NOV . / 1779 / . F . F . F . F . in exergue below. Gottfried was a German botanist who published his work Flora silesiaca in 1776-7 shortly before his untimely death in 1779. This medal offers pleasing uniform argent surfaces warmed with a hint of champagne toning. This well-executed medal offers a very intriguing design. Rare and 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: $500.00 - $800.00