CNG 103, Lot: 1131. Estimate $500. Sold for $900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

GERMANY, Preußen (Königreich). Immanuel Kant, philosopher. 1724-1804. AR Medal (42mm, 28.46 g, 12h). For his Sixtieth Birthday. By A. Abramson. Dated 1723 (in Roman numerals), though struck 1784. EMANVEL KANT, draped bust right / PERSCRVTATIS FUNDAMENTIS STABILITVR VERITAS (Truth can only eb ascertained by a thoroughgoing re-examination of its foundations), Leaning Tower of Pisa right; below, Sphinx seated right, wings spread; in exergue, NAT ·/ MDCCXXIII. Hoffmann 236. Good VF, toned, light marks. With an old German collection ticket. Rare .

The reverse imagery recalls Mendelssohn’s impression of Kant’s philosophy: a tower seemingly prepared to collapse, but set on strong foundations. A. Gulyga (Immanuel Kant: His Life and Thought [1984], p. 123-4) relates that an example of this medal was presented to Kant on the last day of the semester, 4 March 1784. The gift was not well received by the philosopher, no doubt a result of the poor likeness of the portrait, the misspelled name, and the incorrect birth year.