Ancient, British and World Coins, Tokens, Historical Medals and Banknotes

Opening of the Mont Cenis Railway Tunnel, 1871, a bronze medal by A. Restelli, female figures representing France and Italy greeting each other in front of a tunnel entrance, reverse legends in and around wreath, 70mm (Moyaux 237; BDM V, 94-5). Very fine (£50-70)

The 14km Mont Cenis tunnel between Italy and France was started on 14 September 1857 and completed on 25 December 1870. The first of the Alpine tunnels and a major feat of engineering at the time, the construction of the tunnel saw Germain Sommeiller, its engineer, employ many revolutionary techniques that are today taken for granted, including rail-mounted drill carriages, compressed-air drills and hydraulic compressors