Random purchase for its design and eye appeal 1891 Switzerland, Confederation. AR Medal (51 mm, 44.54 g), commemorating the 600th anniversary of the covenant of the three Forest Cantons. By A. Schnyder. Obv: Arms of all 23 Cantons with date of joining Confederation. Rev: Viktoria hovering over delegates of three original Cantons swear Oath of Rutli in front of lake Lucerne & mountains. SM Leu 44; Coll. Grossmann 118. FDC
Nice medal! And veery nice for a random purchase, hehe. The side with the arms reminds of a Gothic rose window. The way the houses on the other side are arranged looks a little strange though. The year "1307" below the three men refers to the Rütli Oath. Now one may say, wait, wasn't that in 1291, and isn't that what this 1891 medal commemorates? Problem is, we do not know. The 1291 Bundesbrief is one of the Swiss Federal Charters, and I suppose that is what the medal commemorates. Whether that oath was also in 1291, or in 1307, and what is truth and what is legend ... hard to tell these days. So we have that year, and the words "Morgarten" (location of a battle in 1315) and "Sempach" (battle in 1386). Both were fought against the Habsburg Empire, and won by the Swiss Confederation ... Christian
Gorgeous! Medals are a wonderful departure from coins in that they afford an artist much greater freedom in regards to high relief and engraving detail. And, as always, you've got a great eye for truly nice pieces.
