418, Lot: 568. Estimate $150. Sold for $140. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

FRANCE, Troisième République. 1870-1940. Gilt Æ Medal. The Spirit of Music – “Orphée endort Cerbère aux sons de sa lyre”. By Marie Alexandre Lucien Coudray. Struck 1900, presented to Mme. M. Trouilleux as first prize for the 1930 singing competition by the Conservatoire nationale de musique St. Etienne. Laureate bust of Orpheus facing slightly right, head turned slightly left, holding lyre / Genius seated left on cartouche reading CONSERVATOIRE NATAL/ DE MUQIEUE/ ST ETIENNE, head right, holding trumpet and quill; scroll of music notes across lap, violin below, laurel branch around. Engraved above, CHANT 1er PRIX 1930 Melle M TROUILLEUX. BRONZE and cornucopia on edge. EF. In original case of issue.

Collector’s note: “The majority of existing Orpheus medals by Coudray are later re-strikes from the 1960’s. This gold plated medal, not very often seen, shows the all characteristics of an ORIGINAL STRIKE, the mystery is about the dated reverse legend! As told, most of these medals were made of bronze and a few were struck in solid silver. This specimen has a great patina that looks like old gold! Also, it is still in its original box. On the edge is written: "Bronze" and an edge mark: a "cornucopia." This mark indicates the medal was struck after 1880. Thus, this medal is NOT A RESTRIKE and was struck in 1900, but stamped for use in 1930.”