Historical and Art Medals

Battle of Waterloo, 1815, a fine filled bronzed electrotype of the celebrated medal by Benedetto Pistrucci, conjoined laureate busts of the Prince Regent, Francis II of Austria, Alexander I of Russia and Frederick Wilhelm III of Prussia within a circle of classical mythological figures, rev. the Duke of Wellington and Marshall Blücher in Roman costume riding left accompanied by Victory, Jupiter above and a depiction of the Battle of the Giants around, 133mm (Eimer 57; E 1067; BHM 870). As made and in box of issue [this a little rubbed] (£500-600)

Reverse only illustrated on the Plates, reduced. William Wellesley Pole, Master of the Mint and the Duke’s elder brother, invited designs from the Royal Academy for a gold medal intended to be given to the rulers of the Alliance, their generals and senior ministers. The Prince Regent, however, approved the design submitted by Pistrucci, an engraver at the Mint. Pistrucci was much involved with the new money of 1816 and it was not until 1819 that preparatory wax models were submitted for approval. Amazingly 30 years were to elapse before the dies were completed, by which time all of the intended recipients of the medal, with the sole exception of Wellington, had died. Electrotype copies, the majority with obverse and reverse not united, were eventually produced by William Hamilton in 1852 (see lot 1353)