CNG 87, Lot: 2144. Estimate $300. Sold for $650. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

FRANCE. temp. Louis XVI. 1774–1793. CU Medal (52mm, 66.34 g, 12h). Commemorating the First Manned Balloon Flights. By A. Pajou. Dually-dated 1783 and 1784 in Roman numerals. AUDACIA FELIX (a satisfying gambit), manned hot air (Montgolfière) and hydrogen (Charlière) balloons in flight; in five lines in exergue, AERA PERMEARUNT XXI. NOV./L. F. DARLANDES ET F. PILATRE./I. DEC. J. A. C. CHARLES/ET M. N. ROBERT/ANNO MDCCLXXXIII (they have pierced the heavens on the 21st of November (François Laurent d’Arlandes and Jean-François Pilâtre) and the 1st of December (Jacques Alexandre César Charles and Nicolas-Louis Robert) in the year 1783) / Legend in nine lines; all within border of stars. Malpas 6. Near EF, attractive dark brown patina.