INDIA. Louis XV Victories in India/Masulipatan Port Silver Medal, 1750. NGC AU-58.Unsigned. Diameter: 36mm. Obverse: On the seaside a shield with the arms of the French East India Company hung on a tree at left, bales of cargo in the foreground at right, and a naval vessel in the mid-ground, another in the far background; perimeter legend PROMOTUM ORIENTALE COMERCIUM above, REG . LUD . XV . / MDCCL . in exergue below; Reverse: View of Masulipatam on the shore at left, bales of cargo at right, three large fish in the background sea, hilltop in the distance at left; perimeter legend FRUCTUS BELLIC FORTITUDINIS ET CONSTANTIAE above, URBS MASULIPATAM / GALLICAE DITIONI / ADDITA MDCCL. The port at Masulipatan has existed since ancient times. The British East India Company established its first factory there in 1611, though by the end of the century the port began to decline. The French took possession in 1750 as part of their successful support of Muzaffa Jang, but this was to be short-lived as the British re-took control in 1759.<p>This medal exhibits pleasing cabinet toning with deep lustrous argent surfaces and gunmetal toning in the peripheries and protected areas, along with a generous interplay of gold, plum, and steely blue; the golden highlight on the sea of the reverse is particularly appealing. The design details are strong, with only the minutest cabinet friction for wear. Extremely rare and desirable.Margolis had a few rather overt interests in his collecting of medallic art. One such theme was that of medals pertaining to mans earliest pursuits to conquer the heavens in the form of ballooning. The European exploits of the late 18th century are contained here across many different country categories. Also quite noticeable was his interest in the medallic art of Jewish engravers, such as Jakob Abraham and his son, Abraham Abramson, among numerous others. Across this selection of medals, these themes and topics will become obvious, adding further dimensions to the already intense focus with which Margolis pursued his collecting.From the Richard Margolis Collection.
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