Series Numismatica Universalis Virorum Illustrium: Medal Collector's Guide Hardcover – February 20, 2025

The Series Numismatica Universalis Virorum Illustrium is a nineteenth century French medal series celebrating notable people throughout Western history. It was an ambitious project led by Pierre-Amédée Durand who procured the talents of prominent European engravers to create medallic portraits of key figures in the arts, philosophy, science, engineering, religion and governance.Now, for the first time, this vast series is detailed for collectors. 160 individuals are identified along with short biographies for each. Alexander the Great, Michelangelo, Benjamin Franklin, Henry VIII, Martin Luther, Hippocrates, Charlemagne, Galileo, Shakespeare, and Christopher Columbus are some of the recognizable names. Joseph Priestley, Eugene de Beauharnais, Joseph I, Philipp Melanchthon, Pietro Aretino and Cesare Beccaria are unknown to many; scarce issues that are absent from museum collections.Over 500 varieties are cataloged (including exceedingly rare ones), covering major die variations, edge markings and specimens in various metals. 362 major die varieties were found, and each is described with photos. Read more