Commemorative, Historical and Art Medals

Medals of the Early Colonial Period and the European Heritage, Abolition of Slavery, 1834, a silver medal by F.C. Krohn, laureate bust of Frederick VI of Denmark right, legend below in two lines, rev. standing figure of Dania, as Justice, foot on prow, lion resting beside her, 62mm (Bergsøe 115; BDM III, 224). Bright from old cleaning, several rim nicks and scuffs, otherwise very fine £500-700

Provenance: Hornung Auction 22 (Copenhagen), 15 April 1983, lot 911.

The reverse legend and image were taken from Roman coinage. The free-colored of the Danish West Indies thanked the King with a proposal that he have a medal struck commemorating his approval of the Royal Ordinance of 18 April 18 1834. Five medals were struck in gold, which were graciously accepted by the King from the free-colored for ‘We Ourselves’ as he officially referred to himself, his sons the crown princes, and Governor-General Peter von Scholten. Medals were also struck in lesser metals and distributed to the leading free-colored