Medal for the Discovery of Telescopic Comets, in Gold

SKU: 02.DKN.0181.101.01

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Attributes

  • country
    Denmark
  • date of institution
    September 27, 1831
  • makers
    the Royal Mint, Copenhagen
  • remarks
    Gold Medal King Frederik VI stamped "C.CHR"

History


Astronomer Prof. Schumacher of Altona founded this Medal to encourage astronomers, and foster the study comets and astronomy.

This Medal was conferred upon individuals for spotting a comet that was not visible by the naked eye. Only a single recipient was recognized at a time. If two individuals identified a comet on the same night, Prof. Schumacher would judge who saw it first, or if they were different comets.

The Medal was awarded six months after seeing the comet, and the comet's trajectory was also calculated.

In order to continuously encourage scientists to study astronomy, individuals were eligible to receive this Medal multiple times.

Women were also eligible recipients of this award.

It was awarded throughout the reign of King Frederik VI, and King Christian VIII. Thus two obverse designs are known, both with the reigning monarchs truncated bust facing the right.

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Versions

  • Price

    N/A

  • Composition

    Gold

  • Inscription

    Obv: FREDERICVS VI REX DANIAE Rev: NON FRVSTRA SIGNORVM OBITVS SPECVLAMVR ET ORTVS COMETA VISVS

  • Size

    45mm

  • Maker

    the Royal Mint, Copenhagen

  • Version Remarks

    Gold Medal King Frederik VI stamped "C.CHR"

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  • Price

    N/A

  • Composition

    Gold

  • Inscription

    Obv: CHRISTIANVS VIII REX DANIAE Rev: NON FRVSTRA SIGNORVM OBITVS SPECVLAMVR ET ORTVS COMETA VISVS

  • Size

    45mm

  • Maker

    the Royal Mint, Copenhagen

  • Version Remarks

    This version weighs approximately 54.5-64 grams.

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