Medal - Cordoba National Exposition

Reverse

7-line inscription inside wreath; motto and roman numeral date in outer legend.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
LIBERTAD Y TRABAJO
AL MERITO
EL
GOBIERNO ARGENTINO
BAJO LA
ADMINISTRACION
DE
D.F. SARMIENTO
J. S. & A. B. WYON SC.
AÑO MDCCCLXXI

Designers: Alfred Benjamin Wyon, Joseph Shepherd Wyon

Comment

Republic gold Cordoba National Exposition Medal 1871 AU58 NGC, 48mm/76g. By J.S. & A.B Wyon. Obv. Allegory of Science, Art and Industry presenting to female personification of Argentina with shield; bust of General Sarmiento behind. Rev. 7-line inscription inside wreath; motto and roman numeral date in outer legend. Of the highest rarity, with no other examples appearing recently on the market and the only traceable gold example appearing since Rosa's Monetario Americanas in 1892 (possibly this piece?). Also absent from a search of major museum and institutional collections, with the most similar example, having been struck in silver, appearing in the Victoria and Albert Museum, having been a gift from the exposition. The present medal shows light, but unobtrusive handling, with charming orange-gold tone mixed into the surfaces. As previously detailed, extremely rare in this format, and early enough a medal to attract significant attention. A certain prize for the Argentine aficionado or collector of rare relics from world-wide fair and expositions.