Showing posts with label Dali coin/medal/medallion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dali coin/medal/medallion. Show all posts

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Dali's Teatro Museo Figueras Inauguration 1974 Coin/Medal/Medallion.

Dali's Teatro Museo Figueras
Inauguration 1974
Coin/Medal/Medallion

This coin was likely minted to commemorate the September 1974 inauguration of Dali's Teatro Museo in Figueras Spain. 

One side of the coin is dated "28 IX 74" which corresponds to the museum's opening.

It is a shiny silver color and has been represented to be sterling silver, however no silver hallmarks are visible on this tiny coin. 

It is about 17 mm in diameter (just a bit smaller than a US dime), and has about a 2.2 gram mass.

Nothing more is known about this coin, and it seems quite rare. If it is truly composed of sterling silver, then it is likely worth about $15.


Saturday, October 22, 2011

Dali's Tribes of Israel Bronze Medallion: "Joseph."

Dali's Tribes of Israel
Bronze Medallion:

"Joseph."

The second I saw this medallion at auction, I knew it was destined to join my collection.

Not because of the Israel/Jewish reference (I have no connection to either), but because both the name and the date of its production are of special significance to me.

The medal is 5cm in diameter, and consists of about 80g of bronze.  A stamp on the rim identifies the maker as Medallic Art Co., N.Y. 

This medal is number 315.  I do not know how many sets of these medallions were produced.

Usually, one sees the Tribes of Israel medallions sold as complete sets in a number of competing editions most commonly in bronze and silver. 

In my experience, a single medal from a set like this is rarely sold by itself.  In fact, I can only remember seeing two sets of these round medallions in silver at auction over the past year, but none in bronze.

I have no other sales from which to approximate a value, but I think that I got mine for a great bargain: fewer than $30.

Monday, September 5, 2011

1988 U.S. Olympic Dali Medallions.

1988 U.S. Olympic Dali Medallions
by Deak International

This set of five olympic medallions is packaged in a dark blue flocked case.  Each medal is embedded in a clear plastic holder so you can inspect both sides.

This set comes with a COA which identifies it as one of a limited edition of 25,000 sets in silver.  Also listed is a gold set limited to 1,000.

Each medal is .5 troy oz. of .999 pure silver, 30mm in diameter.  The medals have an attractive frosted proof appearance.

Four of the medallions share the USA Olympic Committee name and logo, dated 1988, on the reverse.  One medallion (the one in the lower right corner of the first image above) has a US-Canadian friendship motif on the reverse (see photos below).

While each medallion bears Dali's signature/logo, I question the level of Dali's participation in these designs.  Unless these designs were produced prior to about 1980, these designs probably weren't even made by his hand.  Dali's last painting was produced in 1983, and it likely that another artist's hand worked at Dali's direction.

Nevertheless, these medallions are attributed to Dali, and are a neat little collectible.

The set is fairly easy to buy, though sellers tend to ask way too much.  At the current average price for silver (~$40/troy ounce), there's only $80 worth of silver in this set. 

A good rule of thumb to calculate the value of something like this to a Dali collector is about 2 to 3 times the value of the precious metal.  Therefore, a reasonable price for this set is about $200.  I got my set for a bit less than that.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Beachwood (Cleveland) Ohio Salvador Dali Museum Dedication Medal/Medallion/Coin.

Beachwood (Cleveland) Ohio
Salvador Dali Museum Dedication Medal/Medallion/Coin

I first encountered this medallion in late 2010.  At the time, I hadn't yet decided to go all-out for collecting Dali medallions, and I lost the sale to a fellow Dali enthusiast.

Since that time, I have become a more active Dali medallion collector, and have pined for the one that got away.  That is, until now.

This rare medallion finally showed up, and I stepped up to the plate to swipe it faster than lightning.

It was obviously made to commemorate the March 7, 1971 dedication of the original Salvador Dali Museum established by Mr. and Mrs. A. Reynolds Morse.

It is composed of 30g of .999 fine silver, is 1.5" in diameter, and is stamped on the rim with serial number "0156."  Interestingly, the auction I lost in 2010 was for medal number "0157."

In my experience, this medallion is extremely rare.  It is not clear exactly how many of these were actually made or distributed.  So far, I have only observed the two low number serials above.

Of the two that sold over the past year, medallion number 0157 sold for $86.  However, I paid far less for my medallion number 0156--more than 33% less, in fact.  At current market value for silver (~$40/troy ounce), there's only about $40 worth of silver in this medallion.  Therefore, this medallion is likely worth about $60-$70, on average.

Of course, it's really worth whatever you are willing to pay for it now that you know it exists.  Happy hunting!!!

Thursday, August 4, 2011

"Leda and the Swan" by Salvador Dali (1974).

"Leda and the Swan"
by Salvador Dali (1974).

It appears that in the early 1970's, Dali had embarked on a collaboration with Philip R. Friedman, President of Silver Creations Ltd.  It was from this collaboration that the Leda and the Swan medallion was born.

The COA indicates that the medallion was limited to 7,500 in 18k gold over bronze; 2,000 in solid sterling silver; and 500 in solid 18k gold.

Most sightings of this medallion show it within a bezel, to be worn as a pendant, with an included pouch and a COA.


Note that the serial number of each medallion is stamped on the reverse side.

I was recently hunting through cyberspace for this medallion when I ran into an intersting item.  It appeared to be the Leda and the Swan medallion, but I noticed that the reverse side did not have a serial number.  Upon discussion with the seller, I discovered that the composition of the medal was identified as pewter by a stamp on the rim.

The seller turned out to be the widow of the aforementioned Philip R. Friedman.  Her opinion is that the medal was likely a test strike, or proof, of the medallion.  Indeed, the pewter version is the same size and has the same design on both sides as the limited edition.

While talking, Ms. Friedman shared with me the story of how her husband came to work with Dali.  It seems that an earlier collaboration on the Lincoln Mint's Easter Christ of 1972 is the genesis.  Here is a picture of the late Mr. Friedman presenting the Easter Christ to Dali.

Back to the pewter medallion.  It may just be a test strike, but definitive information is lacking. 

I have since observed this pewter medallion at auction from a UK vendor who tells me that a relative won it in a raffle about 25 years ago.  It is impossible to authenticate this statement, but the seller includes the medal in a bezel similar to the one the limited edition comes with, and an info document.  Perhaps this pewter version was an unlimited edition promotional item.

The pewter medallion weighs 25.5g, is about 37mm in diameter, and is stamped on the rim "AMI PEWTER ASGL."

But wait, that's not all!

Ms. Friedman was kind enough to offer to me one other item I have not seen before: a Leda and the Swan plate.

This plate is cool.  Unfortunately, I have absolutely no idea about the origin of this item.  I don't think this plate was ever officially released, and there is no proof in cyberspace that this item exists anywhere else on the planet.

Could it be a one-of-a-kind?

Anyway, the emblem appears to be lacquered brass (best guess), and is very bulky.  It weighs about 416g by itself.  The plate is stamped pewter on the back, and weighs about 500g by itself.  I know the individual weights because the emblem loosened in shipping, so I removed it and properly re-attached it with double-sided tape.  The plate is 23cm, or just over 9" in diameter.

The emblem is in perfect condition, but the plate itself is in rough shape.  It has a number of dents, dings, scratches, and scuffs.  Here are several pictures which hide most of those blemishes.



It is very difficult to estimate the value of rare or one-of-a-kind items.  As for the pewter medallion, I think it has relatively little value.  The silver limited edition Leda medallion/pendant, while relatively rare, appears to be worth only about $50.  This pewter version, even if it is a test strike, is probably worth only about $50 at best, simply because demand appears to be low.

I have a different view of the plate.  I think this plate is quite valuable.  If my suspicion that this is a one-of-a-kind is true, I think this is a very important and valuable piece.  As a sample project that never came to fruition, it could easily be worth $200-$300 on the low end, and about $1,500 on the high end.  On the other hand, if it's just a cheap piece of crap, then it's worth about $40. 

Until more information about these pieces turns up, the jury's out.

I will leave you with a dedicatory picture from Dali to the late Mr. Friedman that Ms. Friedman shared with me.  Let this be a lasting tribute to two great men who, more than 35 years later, live on through their inspiration of creative contributions by the living inhabitants of our race on this planet.

Bravo Friedman!  Bravo Dali!


Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Pair of Vintage Dali Medallions: "Dionysos et Pallas Athena" and "Unicorn Dionysiaque" (1967).

Pair of Vintage Dali Medallions (1967):
"Dionysos et Pallas Athena" and "Unicorn Dionysiaque"

When I first saw these medallions, I just knew they had to join my collection.  Now that I have them,  I can see just how phenomenal they are.

The first thing to notice is that they are huge--both are 80mm in diameter.  They each weigh more than 300g (Unicorn 310g; Athena 309g).  They are easily the largest and heaviest medallions in my growing collection.

The reverse of each medallion has a statement in French that reads:
Cette oeuvre de salvador dali a ete frappee dans les ateliers de la monnaie de paris au mois de mars 1967 pour le compte du club francais de la medaille ce tirage etant limite a cent cinquante exemplaires d'argent au premier titre numerotes de 1 a 150
I don't speak French, so I used an online translator to assemble this translation:
This work of Salvador Dalí was struck in the workshops of the Paris Mint in March 1967 on behalf of the French medal club.  This run is limited to one hundred and fifty copies in silver as the first edition numbered 1 to 150.
It appears that these medallions are struck in silver.  Normally, a silver medallion is stamped with a silver hallmark (usually on the rim).  The rim of each medallion is stamped "1967" with a hallmark that looks like a mouse followed by a "1."

It turns out that the hallmark is a Paris Mint (Monnaie de Paris) standard hallmark used on objects of silver to indicate 95% silver content.  The hallmark is actually a "corne d'abondance" or a cornucopia symbol.  This web site proved helpful in the hallmark identification.

Both medallions are limited to 150 of each; the Dionysos is number 40 of 150, and the Unicorn is number 37 of 150.

I wish I knew more about these medallions, but I can find no information about them in cyberspace.  I have collected Dali for years and I have never seen these before.  I may be the very first person to provide this much information about them.

The value is difficult to assess.  It appears that these are extremely rare, and they are vintage, which is a good feature.  The silver content of each is worth about $350 at current market value (~$36/troy oz).  Any collector value will only add to that.

I estimate that each medallion is worth a minimum of $400.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Salvador Dali Institute Dedication Coin / Medal / Medallion.

Salvador Dali Institute
Dedication Coin / Medal / Medallion.


It is my understanding that this particular medal was distributed at a fundraising dinner for the opening of the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida back in 1982.

It is actually a coin within a bezel so that one can wear it with a ribbon.  I have yet to see one of these with the original ribbon.  The bezel can be removed by one small screw. 

The coin within the bezel is actually the same design and dimensions as its silver/rhodium counterpart.  It weighs about 23.7 g without the bezel and has a 37 mm diameter.

The only difference in the design is the presence of a small hallmark on the reverse side which reads "MET."

I am not sure what this medal/coin is made of.  It appears to be some kind of base metal plated in gold.

This medal is very rare, though a few have turned up at auction recently.  Realistically, this medal is worth about $40, but an actual sale price of more than $100 has been observed.

There does not appear to be a great demand for this medal, so if one does turn up at auction, there won't be much competition.

1971 El Salvador 1 Colon Coin Featuring "La Fecundidad" by Dali.

1971 El Salvador 1 Colon Coin
Featuring "La Fecundidad" by Dali.

This tiny little coin (about 1.5 cm) is about 2.3 grams of sterling silver and features Dali's "La Fecundidad" on one side.

Though the actual silver value is only about $2, it will cost you about $20 to pick up one of these for your Dali collection.

Available quite readily.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Salvador Dali Institute Dedication Coin / Medal / Medallion.

Salvador Dali Institute
Dedication Coin / Medal / Medallion.

Here is another of those totally cool and ultra rare items from my Salvador Dali Collection.

This coin was issued to commemorate the opening of the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida back in 1982.

It is #39 of a limited edition of 500.  It has the appearance of a silver proof coin, with a shiny surface.  It is solid sterling silver with a rhodium plating, was designed by Italcambio and minted by Monilart, both in Italy.  It weighs about 28.2 grams and has a 37 mm diameter.

Considering the rarity of this item, if could be worth from $50-$100.



Saturday, April 23, 2011

A Ten Commandments Medal / Medallion by Dali.

Ten Commandments Medal / Medallion

This particular Ten Commandments medal is an interesting enigma. 

It is the exact same size and design as its silver counterpart, but it appears to be struck in brass.  It even has the silver "9999" hallmark, indicating that it was struck from the same die as the official silver release.

I conjecture that this brass version is a proof of some kind.

Dimensions:
  • mass is 40.5g;
  • diameter is 50mm;
  • thickest at 3mm;
  • thinnest at 1.5mm.
Calculation of its density based on assumed values of its silver counterpart (mass: 50.5g; density of silver: 10.4 g/cc) yields a value of 8.34 g/cc.  This value is consistent with common brass alloys.

While the silver version of this medal is common, I have never seen one of these struck in brass.  This is a rare piece.

There is clearly no reference point for an item like this, but I place its value at around $125.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Espace Montmartre Paris Dali Coin (2009).

Espace Montmartre Paris Dali Coin (2009)
by Monnaie de Paris.

This coin is a fantastic Dali collectible; it has the feel and appearance of a real coin.  It even has a reeded edge.

It has some weight to it, so it doesn't feel like a chintzy token made of cheap metal.  It is about 34mm in diameter.

The obverse features a melting clock and Dali's signature with the crown logo above it.  The reverse has the Monnaie de Paris logo, dated 2009, and the word "France" written in eight different languages around the edge.


This coin appears to have been "minted" over a number of years.

Here is a picture of the reverse of a different version of this coin that is undated:


Here is another one dated 2001 and marked as a limited edition:


So, it seems that there are at least several versions of this coin for the avid Dali collector to hunt for.

One does't find many of these for sale, but prices seem to range from about $10 - $24.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Dali "Peace" Medal / Medallion (.999 silver, 1978)

Dali "Peace" Medal / Medallion
(.999 silver, 1978)

There is no shortage of Dali medals, medallions, and coins out there.  This medal is devoted to the topic of peace.

It is dated 1978, measures about 59mm in diameter, and weighs about 100g.  On the edge, it is stamped "silver 999," "E," and "164/350."  Please note that the particular medal pictured here is no longer in my posession; it has been passed on to a proud new owner.

Anyhoo, the medal is shown here with its original satin-lined, flocked presentation case.

Internet information on this medal is lacking.  It is highly unlikely that only 350 of these were produced.  I suspect that the "E" refers to a set, as in the fifth set of 350, for instance.  I can't confirm this because I have not heard of another person with a different letter stamped on the edge.

What I have heard from other owners of this medal, or observed at auction:
  • one person has reported this medal without any serial number on it;
  • one person has reported owning two medals, both stamped "## / 150" with no letter;
  • I observed an online auction of this medal reported to be stamped "EA 61 / 75";
  • I observed an online auction of this medal reported to be stamped "E 100 / 350;"
  • Update 4/25/11: I observed an online auction of this medal reported to be stamped "Israel 0827;"
  • Update 5/21/11: I observed an online auction of this medal stamped "E 78 / 350;"
  • Update: 6/25/11: I observed an online auction of this medal stamped "37 / 150;"
  • Update 7/1/11: I recently observed an auction of two medals represented by the seller as #956 and #1061 of 3,500 originating from an Israel edition;
  • Update 8/6/11: I observed an online auction of this medal reported to be stamped "E 203 / 350;"
  • Update 10/5/11: I recently obtained this medal in a flocked presentation case stamped "AP 68 / 75;"
  • Update 11/5/11: I recently obtained this medal in a flocked presentation case stamped "E 10 / 350;"
  • Update 11/5/11: I recently obtained this medal stamped "Israel 964," with a card indicating a total edition of 3500;
  • Update 8/12/13: I recently obtained this medal in a flocked presentation case stamped "E 285 / 350."
So, regarding the serial numbers, there is no clear consensus as of yet.  If you have one of these medals, please report in with details.

It's a pretty cool medal.  Not too common, but it does turn up on auction from time to time.  Prices have ranged from about $225 to $350.  That's a huge range, but the market speaks for itself.  Happy hunting.
(8/12/13 update: prices average around $200)

Friday, November 5, 2010

Medal: Antonio Pitxot Exposition, Teatro Museo Dali, Figueras 1974.

Always on the hunt for unique and affordable Dali collectibles, I have recently obtained this medal in an online auction. 

WOW!  I never saw anything like it.

On one side is a Antonio Pitxot nude woman sculpture in relief.  On the other side is a relief image of the Teatro Museo Dali in Figueras, Spain.

The medal is dated 1974 and is in excellent condition.  It's about 1.5" in diameter and quite hefty in weight.

So, where can you find one for your collection?  No clue!  I can't find any information about this medal on the internet or in any books in my collection. 

If the medal dates to 1974, then any information may be hard to find.  If you have any information to add, leave a comment to this post below.

(8/12/13 update: two recent sales suggest a value of about $40)