leo XIII - Elezione al pontificato - L'Immacolata

[dje_die]

hello!

I'm sorry, I'm french and I don't speak italian, but I think you can help me!

I've found recently a medal referenced in your catalogue as leone XIII - anno 1 - Elezione al pontificato - L'Immacolata (leo XIII 20 feb 1878)

but this one is not in silver as in the catalogue, but in 18k gold.

it reads the same captions (leo XIII pont. max. - o maria concepita senza peccato...) but the dimention of the letters isn't exactly the same!

have you already seen this medal in gold?

I've spent a lot of time on the net but I can't find any information about this medal!

is it possible to know how many medals were created in gold that year?

or at least a rarity indice?

was this medal originally sold or given as a gift to important people? (it was originaly mounted on a solid gold and garnet rosary)

it wears the french hallmark for 18k gold: an eagle's head

if someone could translate this post in italian... or answer me it would be great!

here are some picts of the medal:

thanks

ben

Modificato 18 Ottobre, 2010 da dje_die

[wuby2007]

Hi & welcome in this forum!

Your item is very similar to medal in our catalogue ( http://numismatica-italiana.lamoneta.it/moneta/W-AE111/4 ), but it's not exactly the same...letters position and dimension are changing a lot from silver one posted as example. Additionally we should know dimensions of you medal and it would be helpfull to post a photo of eagle-head you are talking about.

This kind of medal is very popular and i've seen several pieces also with other popes images, but it's first time for a piece in gold! :o

[dje_die]

the eagle head is a very small hallmark so it is very hard to picture it! sorry for the picture quality!

the dimentions are 22 x 19 mm

i knew this model wasn't rare in aluminium, brass or even in silver

but in gold???

is this medal referenced?

i knew it was gold thanks to the hallmark, but when i've shown it to several jewelers, they thought it was gold plated metal.

i finally had it tested. it is actually 18k gold and so is the whole rosary!

here is the photo of the full item:

i wish someone can help me!

thanks

ben

[dje_die]

so , has nobody ever seen this medal in gold?

do you think it was edited by vatican or by any private society?

do you know where I have to look in order to find more info about this medal?

thanks

dje_die

[wuby2007]

so , has nobody ever seen this medal in gold?

do you think it was edited by vatican or by any private society?

do you know where I have to look in order to find more info about this medal?

The answer is......probably NO, no one ! :lol:

In past i have seen different images of Holy-Mary-1830, with other popes profiles, but text was always in french.

In your piece text is in italian, but it wear the french hallmark for 18k gold (also if it does not seams gold!).

[dje_die]

thanks for your answer Wuby2007

do you know where I should ask to find this item (book, people, numismatic club, association???)

have you any idea about its value?

it doesn't seem to be frequently seen (unlike its little sisters in brass or silver!), but it was stamped and not carved... so it isn't a unique item! we should find out other medals of this kind...