Medal for Anthropologist Blumenbach

GERMANY. Johann Friedrich Blumenbach bronze Medal. Issued 1825. Commemorating the Jubilee of the Anthropologist's Doctorate (50mm, 68.58 g, 12h). By G. Loos and H. Gube. I FRBLUMENBACH NATO GOTHAE D 11 MAII 1752 DOCT CREATO GOTTINGAE D 19 SEPT 1775, bust left / NATURAE INTERPRETI OSSA LOQUI IUBENTI PHYSIOSOPHILI GERMANICI D 19 SEPT 1825, three human skulls, as classifiedby Blumenbach: Caucasian, Ethiopian, and Mongolian. Edge: Plain. Medicina in Nummis 398; Brettauer 125. Choice About Uncirculated. Rich glossy red-brown surfaces, with some underlying lusterand only a few light marks. An interesting and haunting type.

Blumenbach was an anthropologist from the University of Göttingen and specialized in the study and classification of human skulls from around the world-later known as craniometry. At the time ofhis death, he owned 245 whole skulls and fragments, along with two mummies. The term 'caucasian' as a descriptor of race was also derived from him, as his influential use of it in 1795 quickly caughton in scientific circles. For more information on Blumenbach and a modern analysis of his career-as well as a reference to this medallic issue-visit Nell Irvin Painter's "Why White People Are Called'Caucasian?'," which can be found at: glc.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/events/race/Painter.pdf .

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100245 | GERMANY. Johann Friedrich Blumenbach bronze Medal.(https://www.numismagram.com/product-page/100245-germany-johann-friedrich-blumenbach-bronze-medal)

Medal for Anthropologist Vallois

FRANCE. Henri-Victor Vallois bronze Medal. Issued 1961. Commemorating the Achievements of the Anthropologist, Paleontologist, and Anatomist (67mm, 142.98 g, 12h). By J. H. Coëffin.DIRECTEUR DU MUSÉE DE L'HOMME ET DE L'INSTITUT DE PALEONTOLOGIE HUMAINE / HENRI V VALLOIS, bare head left / ANTHROPOLOGIE PALEONTOLOGIE ANATOMIE, skeleton standing right, in attitude ofreflection, resting skull upon one hand and the other hand upon another skull set upon base inscribed G???? sea?t?? (know thyself). Edge: BRONZE «cornucopia». As Issued. Rich reddish-bronze surfaces,with a pleasing brilliance. A very rare and supremely interesting piece.

Another highly acclaimed anthropologist, among other things, Vallois expanded upon Blumenbach's classifications, arriving at 27 races in his 1944 work "Les races humaines." This largemodule piece features a scarce representation of a skeleton-not as a symbol of death-but more as an aspect of contemplation. This idea is further reinforced by the Greek inscription upon the base,urging the viewer to look within and understand his or her own self before anything else. A powerful thought!

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100223 | FRANCE. Henri-Victor Vallois bronze Medal.(http://numismagram.com/product-page/100223-france-henri-victor-vallois-bronze-medal)