418, Lot: 577. Estimate $200. Sold for $130. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

FRANCE, Troisième République. 1870-1940. Æ Medal (48x66mm, 50.17 g). Trial strike. By Georges Dupré. Veiled female figure kneeling left before bust dated 1903, holding flowers and pal frond; list of works, flowers, lyre, and books to right; in background to upper right, two angels and two cherubs / 0 at center, 1 in each corner. EF. Extremely rare test piece.

Collector’s note: This specimen is exceedingly rare as an attempt (mint trial) medal. It is unique as the first attempt. The obverse scene was ultimately mated in 1903 with a reverse type featuring the head-and-shoulder portrait of Hector Berlioz and the inscription 1803-1869. Not only is this trial medal visually stunning, it is a fascinating oddity worthy of further research.