Ancient, British and World Coins, Token, Historical and Art Medals, Numismatic Books and Banknotes

France, Nessus et Déjanire, 1944, a uniface silver Art Deco medal by R. Delamarre, the centaur Nessus lifting a semi-naked Déjanire, back named (Offert à Mr André Herbert par ses Collaborateurs en l’honeur du vingtcinquième anniversaire de la fondation de sa maison, 1936), names of Herbert’s partners around, 81mm (CGMP p.127; cf. BDW 13, 406). Rim bruises, otherwise very fine and very rare in silver (£200-250)

Illustrated on the Plates. In mythology, Nessus, the centaur, was shot by Heracles for trying to abduct his wife Déjanire. Nessus' blood-stained tunic, given to Déjanire as a charm, eventually caused Heracles' death