1937 Soccer silver Plaque

100697 | FRANCE & CZECHOSLOVAKIA. Soccer silver Plaque. Issued 1937 for the amateur match between France and Czechoslovakia on 11 April(47x63mm, 89.69 g, 12h). By A. Lafleur. FÉDÉRATION FRANÇAISE / de FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION / INSTITUÉE le 7 AVRIL / - 1919 -,Victory standing left, holding wreath, palm frond, scroll, and olive branch, and resting hand upon basis with coat-of-arms to right / VIS ANIMI CVM CORPORECRESCIT (the strength of the soul rises with that of the body), soccer scene; below, cartouche inscribed FRANCE-TCHÉCOSLOVAQUIE / (AMATEURS) /-TOURS- / 11 AVRIL 1937 in four lines and surmounted by soccer ball between laurel and oak branches. Edge: «hallmark» ARGENT. Mint State.Light gray toning with matte surfaces; a few scattered marks and bruises in the fields, most notably on the obverse at the top. $395.

In 1933, the current professional soccer league in France, Championnat de France de football, often more simply known as Ligue 1, was created. The followingyear, the Fédération française de football (FFF), formerly the Fédération française de football association (FFFA), created achampionship for the numerous amateur teams around the nation, with the first contests being played in 1935. During pool play for the championship's thirdyear in 1937, the French amateur team also participated in a friendly against the team from Czechoslovakia, the occasion for this plaque.

Of further interest, the designer of this plaque, Abel Lafleur, also designed the original World Cup, known then as the Jules Rimet Cup. At the time, FIFArules stated that a winning country may keep the trophy following their third win, which Brazil did in 1970. The current rules allow for no such permanentawarding of the World Cup in order to protect it. Sadly, the original designed by Lafleur was stolen in Rio de Janeiro in 1983, never to be seen again andlikely melted by the looters.

To read the complete lot item see:
100697 | FRANCE & CZECHOSLOVAKIA. Soccer silver Plaque.(https://www.numismagram.com/product-page/100697)

Sinking of the Lusitania Medal

100683 | UNITED STATES & FRANCE. Bronze Medal. Issued circa 1920. The Sinking of the RMS Lusitania (53mm, 76.92 g, 12h). By R. Baudichonin Paris. VLTRIX AMERICA JVRIS (America, the defender of the just) / 1917 USA 1918, upper part of the Statue of Liberty rising from the Atlantic Ocean,holding sword in place of torch / LVSITANIA MAY 7 1915, stern of the Lusitania above the ocean, in the process of sinking; capsized lifeboat in foreground;above, vignette containing a drowning child. Edge: «hallmark» BRONZE. Jones, Dance of Death, 27; The Art of Devastation, p. 310, 99. Choice MintState. Attractive yellow-brown surfaces, with a pleasing matte nature. A powerful and historically interesting piece relating to America's build up toWorld War I. $565.

Not long after the German warning against sea travel into her 'war zone' declared upon Great Britain, a popular liner-the RMS Lusitania-wastorpedoed 11 miles off the coast of Ireland, where over 60% of her passengers, some of whom where Americans, were killed. Serving as a rallying cry against theGerman Empire, this action solidified American involvement in World War I.

To read the complete lot item see:
100683 | UNITED STATES & FRANCE. Sinking of the Lusitania bronze Medal.(https://www.numismagram.com/product-page/100683)

Red Crescent Zinc Award Medal

100695 | TURKEY. Red Crescent zinc Award Medal. Issued 1917 (AH 1335) for humanitarian engagement at the Red Crescent Exhibition in Istanbul[unawarded] (59mm, 76.06 g, 12). By G. Herrmann in Wien. Female attendant left, cradling and giving water to Turkish soldier; Sueleymaniye Mosque andrising sun in background / Crescent, Arabic inscription, and dates (AD and AH); ornate cartouche below; oak branch to left. Edge: Plain. Pere 1153; Wurzbach8870. Choice Mint State. Steel gray surfaces, some scattered marks and spots of discoloration consistent with zinc. Very rare. $435.

The Red Crescent emblem was first utilized for humanitarian work during the Russo-Turkish War from 1876-1878, acting as an analog to the International RedCross. The latter used a color reversal of the Swiss flag as its banner, and the Red Crescent followed suit, adopting a color reversal of the OttomanEmpire's flag for its standard. A third symbol, the Red Crystal, is utilized by Israel in a similar fashion and function. In each case, the inherentreligion of those assisting or being assisted is of concern in comparison to the aid provided.

To read the complete lot item see:
100695 | TURKEY. Red Crescent zinc Award Medal.(https://www.numismagram.com/product-page/100695)

1931 Dresden International Health Exposition Medal

100704 | GERMANY. Dresden enameled gilt bronze Medal. Issued 1931. Commemorating the International Health Exposition, held in Dresden for thesecond time from May-October 1930 and again in May-October 1931 (70mm). By A. Mazotti. Colorized eye within sunburst / INTER / NATIONALE / HYGIENE /AUSSTELLUNG / DRESDEN / 1930/31 in six lines; cross above and below. Edge: Plain. Mint State. Virtually as made, with great enameling on the obverse; a fewscattered marks. An incredibly interesting and transfixing piece of medallic art. Extremely rare. $345.

Serving as a follow-up to the first Hygiene expo, organized by Karl August Lingner and held in Dresden, this expo was held in a building which would serveas the German Hygiene Museum following the expo. One of the biggest attractions was the Glaeserner Mensch, or transparent man-the basis from which manysubsequent copies have been made. A further allusion to the previous expo was in the form of the logo-a mesmerizing eye, originally used by Franz Stuck in hisposter, and revived by Willy Petzold in a similar fashion, similar to that used for this medal.

To read the complete lot item see:
100704 | GERMANY. Dresden enameled gilt bronze Medal.(https://www.numismagram.com/product-page/100704)