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FRANCE: LOT of 4 bronze medals from the Galérie Métallique des Grands Hommes Français series

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Coins: Ancient Start Price:120.00 USD Estimated At:125.00 - 225.00 USD
FRANCE: LOT of 4 bronze medals from the Galérie Métallique des Grands Hommes Français series
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FRANCE:LOT of 4 bronze medals from the Galérie Métallique des Grands Hommes Français series including: 1) Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (Molière), French playwright and actor who is considered to be one of the greatest masters of comedy in Western literature, medal by Gayrard 1816, 2) René Descartes, French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist, medal by Galle 1819, 3) Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier, French nobleman and chemist, widely considered in popular literature as the "father of modern chemistry", medal by Caque 1821, 4) Cardinal Armand Jean du Plessis, Duke of Richelieu and Fronsac, French clergyman, nobleman, and statesman, medal by Gatteaux 1821, all are 41mm and at least EF quality with some UNC quality, lovely group of medals from this historic series with some of the most recognized figures, retail value $300, lot of 4 medals. The Galerie Metallique Des Grands Hommes Francais were a large series of medals produced over many years by leading medallists of the day. They were struck mainly between 1816 and 1826 although there are some issued after 1826 and as late as 1838. All the medals were produced with a portrait of the celebrated Frenchman with simple biographical information on the reverse. The date of issue being dated simply in arabic numerals. These medals were very much restruck at later dates and are obvious by their edge markings denoting metal and period markings. The series is extensive and difficult to complete, least of all because it is hard to find a reference listing all the medals. La Medaille Francaise Au XIX Siecle et l'Histoire by Jean-Pierre Collignon details 119 medals allocated to the series.