1961 H Vallois France Portrait Bronze Medal Skeleton Standing Thinking By Coefin
Description: A round and large portrait bronze medal depicting the head of Henri Victor Vallois. Vallois was the director of The Museum of Mankind and Institute of Human Paleontology, a research organization for Anthropology. The obverse of the medal shows Vallois head facing left with the legend Director of The Museum of Mankind and Institute of Human Paleontology; HENRI.V.VALLOIS in front of the head along the edge. The reverse shows a skeleton standing right, appears to be thinking, resting his head upon one hand while the other hand is resting on another skull sitting on a table or bench which is inscribed G???? sea?t?? (know thyself). There is also the words Anatomie, Anthropologie; Paleontologie and the initials JC at the bottom of the reverse. The medal is stamped Bronze with a Cornucopia at the edge. The medal is uncirculated with rich reddish-bronze surfaces and a pleasing brilliance. A beautiful and very rare medal weighing 142.98 grams and measuring 67 mm in diameter. The design is by one of France's well known medalists H. Coeffin. Please carefully review the photos as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: Although undated, the medal is know to have been issued in 1961.
Origin: Paris Mint.
Weight and Size: The medal is ~67 mm in diameter, ~4 mm in thickness at the edge, and weighs ~143 grams.
Artist: Josette Coeffin.
Maker: Paris Mint.
Marks: Marked JC on the bottom of the revers and marked "BRONZE" with a cornucopia on the edge.
Condition: The medal is uncirculated with rich reddish-bronze surfaces and a pleasing brilliance. The medal shows no wear and has nice textured fields with minimum observable surface marks if any. A great looking medal worthy of a spot in your collection of French, world, or portrait medals. The design on the reverse does make this medal rather eerie and interesting. Please view photos for additional condition information and to appreciate the beauty of the medal.
