
A Versailles Numismatic Connection
When traveling, I'm always looking for something numismatics-related to bring home with me. This spring, we visited the Versailles palace in France. It was one of our last stops, and I was beginning to give up finding something to add to my collection, when I found this medal. King Louis XVI is depicted on the obverse, while the reverse depicts Queen Marie-Antoinette. It is an exact replica of one of the medals produced in the 18th century to publicize the king's Cabinet of Medals, which themselves were copies of priceless originals in the cabinet (I think I got that right!). The "original" was engraved by Benjamin Duvivier, engraver of the currencies from 1774 to 1791. This particular medal is made of "silvered bronze" and measures 74mm. These pictures pretty much do it justice. The problem I'm having is finding an appropriate holder for this large, high relief beauty. Oh well, that's a high quality problem to have, I guess. If anyone has a cool numismatic story from one of their trips, near or far, I'd love to read about it. Thanks for reading. Jim
Comments
Kepi
Level 6
Wow! That's really beautiful! NGC will slab medals...I have a few that they have graded and slabbed. Glad you had a great trip! ; )
Longstrider
Level 6
That's great you can travel. Nice medal. NGC will slab medals. Thanks
Big Nub Numismatics
Level 5
Holders are a problem for medals,I can never find them for my small assortment of medals. And a greta find to link to your visit so you will never forget it.
CoinLady
Level 6
Beautiful souvenir of a beautiful place. When I visited Gettysburg, I found a medal with a design similar to the commem 50c.
Mike
Level 7
I can't travel but my wife was there she said it's absolutely beautiful. If you look hard enough I'm sure you can find one. I'm not kidding. It's all in the search. We're to look. Lots of luck. Thanks for the blog it was great. Mike.
JimmyD
Level 4
It’s a hobby we can indulge anywhere we go.
"SUN"
Level 6
Nice looking piece. I have a special binder of the items from traveling and vacations.