"ORPHEUS", (1899). Obverse type of CGI: 3-100C; Maier 223. 114mm (4.5") Bronze Marie-Alexandre Lucien Coudray, Sc. (Paris Mint) Uniface. A lovely Uncirculated example! Obverse bust of Orpheus with long wavy tresses to half left, grasping a lyre in his left hand

Orpheus was a Thracian poet and musician, son of Apollo and Caliope. When his wife Eurydice died, he descended to Hades, and so pleased Pluto by his music that the god allowed him to lead her back to earth on the condition that he should not look behind him. However, he looked back, and Eurydice vanished among the shades. One of the classics of Art-Nouveau, the obverse was used as a cover design for Mark Jones' The Art of the Medal. This medal, with a golden bronze finish and a modern royal blue Monnaie De Paris box, is undoubtedly a relatively modern production. However, its extra large size makes it particularly desirable. $175.00