1156. Lima, Peru, silver medal piedfort, 1863, forty-third anniversary of
Peruvian Declaration of Independence. Fonrobert-9135. 25.23 grams. Obverse with sunface over rays inside legend LIMA LIBRE JURO SU INDEPENDENCIA EN 28 DE JULIO DE 1821; reverse with BAJO LA / PROTECCION / DEL EJERCITO / LIBERTADOR / DEL PERU / MANDADO POR / SAN MARTIN. / 1863 inside wreath above engraver’s name BRITTEN. High-relief AU with minor dings in prominent rims, lustrous and starting to tone. Estimate: $150-$225.
Venezuela
1157. Venezuela, large silver medal, deliverance of Simón Bolívar from assassination in 1828 (struck 1829), very rare and important. Urdaneta Braschi-I.A.12. 43.15 grams, the box 2-1/2”. This famous medal was struck to honor Bolívar’s aide, L.D. Palacios, for his hero-
ism in delaying a would-be assassin long enough for Bolívar to escape on September 25, 1828, although the act is more properly attributed to Bolívar’s mistress, Manuela Sáenz, whom he later called “Libertadora del Libertador.” The design consists of Bolívar’s bust on a pedestal on the obverse and the all-seeing eye in a radiant pyramid on the reverse above the words L. D. P. / SALVO LA VIDA / DEL LIBERTADOR / SIMON BOLÍVAR / LA NOCHE DEL 25. DE SEP. / DE 1825. While it is generally accepted that L. D. P. stands for the initials of Bolívar’s aide, this medal is sometimes referred to as “La Divina Providencia,” and only a small amount were struck (about 12-20 known). Rainbowtoned XF with minor rim-bumps and nicks, old dig to right of NOCHE, characteristic flan-bulge in obverse fields, coin alignment. Housed in an antique red velvet-lined box. Estimate: $3,500-$5,000.
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