Lead Trial Strike of Extremely Rare Dürer Medal

CNG 85, Lot: 1357. Estimate $2000. Sold for $3900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

GERMANY, Nürnberg (Stadt). Karl V. Emperor, 1519-1556. PB Medal (71mm, 283.50 g, 12h). Commemorating the Opening of the First Imperial Diet. Albrecht Dürer and Hans Krafft the Elder, engravers, assisted by Willibald Pirckheimer, Lazarus Spengler, and Johann Stabius. Dated 1521. CAROLVS V RO IMPER (double annulet stops), Crowned and armored bust right, wearing the Order of the Golden Fleece; around within double wreathed border, Pillars of Hercules decorated with banners inscribed PLVS VLTR flanking firesteel and flint and crowned coats-of-arms of Habsburg possessions / Nimbate double-headed imperial eagle facing with wings displayed, conjoined coats-of-arms of Austria and Burgundy on breast; date across field; around, within double wreathed border, continuation of crowned coats-of-arms of Habsburg possessions; N within wreath in exergue. Cf. Habich 18 (example in silver); cf. Mende 13 (same); Pollard 677 = Kress 583; Trusted 92. Good VF, some oxidation. Historically important and designed by the greatest artist of the Northern Renaissance.