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

Erotica, a curious and crudely cast medallion, small winged figure, perhaps Cupid, astride a beast with the head an erect phallus which he appears to crown with a wreath, reverse a woman, her legs spread wide on a crowned shield, 61mm. Probably close to as made but of rough workmanship (£50-60)

An extremely unusual piece and difficult to date, though it is probably earlier than the 19th century. The country of origin is also uncertain; Germany has been chosen by the cataloguer for no better reason than the fact that this region had a much more varied medallic tradition than elsewhere in Europe. The message the maker intended to convey, beyond a simple celebration of male sexuality, is equally mysterious. Although crudely made, both the obverse and reverse show some rudimentary degree of compositional skill.