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Posted (edited)

Having a look at the non coinage works of Benedetto Pistrucci. I thought it might be interesting to see how his training as a cameo engraver might influence his work on coin dies. 

1988387279_Benedetto_pistrucci_menade_sardonice_1810_ca.thumb.jpg.b5d814b1393cb025a5b9012f54ea3e46.jpg

 

315480144_Europaeiltoro1784-1855.thumb.jpg.f5a4cd43bbf4e897a77f0eb75a177eae.jpg

Edited by Sword
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Posted

I have always thought that Pistrucci's refusal to copy Chantrey's bust of George IV got him sacked as Chief Engraver. But apparently, he was never officially appointed to the post as he was a foreigner (and was forbidden to hold the office by a law of William III). When William Wyon was appointed to the technically "vacant" post of Chief Engraver, Wyon and Pistrucci got the same salary of £350 which was the average of the top two engraving posts at the mint. 

It was alleged that to avoid being sack as the Chief Medallist, Pistrucci deliberately took 30 years to complete his great work, the Waterloo Medal. Sacking him would mean that the immense down payment would be wasted. When the dies were finished, the medal was never struck partly because all the intended recipients have already died with the exception of the Iron Duke.

800px-The_Waterloo_Medal_MET_DP118486.thumb.jpg.b89a10cab7e90a9f5bdb87fd78a74a59.jpg

 

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