Ok this baby is quite scarce, This medal was minted at Monnaie de Paris for the Millennium celebration of Alþingi or “the Parliament” in 1930. The medal was restruck in the 1970´s and 1980´s but the 1930´s version is very hard to find. And even harder to find in the original box. LAst week I got the original 1930 struck medal in the box. I have seen this medal many many times. It was designed by an Icelandic artis named Ásmundur Sveinsson a brilliant sculptor. But when I was looking at the medal that I have seen countless times I just noticed the giant picking the dragons nose. Made me laugh............
That is a beautiful medal, Siggi. Funny what the giant is doing with the dragon's nose. Makes you wonder what he's doing with the bull. Probably just as well that there's a shield there so we don't know for sure. Bruce
Super medal! I love the Icelandic design aesthetic. They have some seriously awesome designs! Congrats on finding this one Siggi! It's so good having you back on these boards.
Whatever he does, he would have to do that with one of his feet. The second/left hand holds the shield. Nice medal, not so much the side with the warrior IMO but the other side shows an attractive variety of the CoA ... Christian
I was just about to write the same thing, good thing I read the replies first. Gutter Great minds think alike
It would go great next to the Althing 10 kronur from the same year http://www.coinarchives.com/c708e36434714c69b94e263cb49af2d3/img/numisor/e1/image00247.jpg
Having recently obtained a silver and bronze pair, I am now trying to find out more details. So far: the Monnaie de Paris sent a bronze example to the British Museum in 1931, which could indicate that no silver was struck in 1930. I am advised that neither medal is listed in the Monnaie General Catalogue suggesting that it was a private commission. I have seen various posts giving a striking of the silver in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, but no references. This all leads to some questions: 1. When were restrikes made? 2. Can the bronze versions of 1930 and restrikes be differentiated? 3. Which of these medals are held in public institutions? 4. How many of these medals are held privately?
