I love exonumia. I am also a former philatelist that still appreciates older stamps. I happened across this lovely medal, struck in .999 silver and had to have it. The medal celebrates the famous Basel Dove (Basler Taube in German) stamp, the singular postage stamp issued by the Swiss Canton of Basel. The issue, valued at 2 1/2 rappen, was designed by Melchior Berri and holds the title of the world's first tri-colored postage stamp. 41,480 were printed and remained valid for a period of about 9 years. The current survival rate is unknown, but they are rare. The original stamp: The medal:
