GERMANY. Death of Gotthold Lessing Silver Medal, 1781. NGC MS-62.
By Christian Friedrich Krull. Diameter: 43mm. Obverse: Bare bust of Lessing facing three-quarters left, perimeter legend GOTTHOLD EPHRAIM LESSING above, and N . MDCCXXIX D . MDCCLXXXI below; signature C. F. KRVLL F. below left shoulder; Reverse: Eight-line legend between radiant eight-pointed star above and sprigs below POETA / PHILOSOPHVS / PHILOLOGVS CRITICVS / GERMANIAE DECVS / MVSARVM ET AMICORVM / DVM VIVEBAT AMOR / NVNG DESIDERIVM / SEPTITERNVM. Lessing was a German philosopher, and playwright, as well as drama and literary critic. He developed a fondness for the theater early in life; his Enlightenment-inspired philosophy and play writing co-mingled and influenced German literature as a result. This medal displays medium argent surfaces with deeper shades in the peripheries and design details. A well-executed tribute medal. Attractive and very rare.
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