The Silich Collection of Historical and Art Medals (Part I)

ALGERIA, Aggrandissement de la cathédrale Saint-Philippe à Alger [Expansion of Saint-Philippe Cathedral], 1853, a copper medal by E.-A. Oudiné, front elevation of the cathedral flanked by a palm-tree and a crucifix, rev. legend in 15 lines, further legend around, edge impressed cuivre and hand, 68mm, 159.18g (Ruedas 57; Page-Divo 161; Escande 211; CGMP p.198; cf. iNumis MBS 48, 1325; cf. DW 24, 20). Extremely fine £90-£120

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Silich Collection of Historical and Art Medals.

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The expansion of the cathedral followed the destruction of the Ketchaoua mosque. The foundation stone of the expansion was laid on 15 August 1853 by the politicians Hippolyte Fortoul (1811-56) and Armand-Jacques Leroy de St Arnaud (1798-1854), but work on it was not completed until 1860.