Serbia, Kingdom. A Gold Medal Of Anointment Of King Alexander I, 1889

(Medalja u spomen miropomazanja Kralja Alexandra Obrenovica), struck in solid GOLD (22Kt, tested), and weighs 22 grams, 36.8mm x 55.6mm, minor rim nicks and gold test mark, unmarked, in nearly extremely fine condition - and the ONLY known example in solid Gold.

Footnote: Anointment of King Alexander I took place in monastery Žiče, Serbia, a traditional place of crowning of Serbian kings. Anointment was a "miraculous feast", the religious creed that marked the rise of the throne of young King Aleksandar Obrenovic. The official medal struck for this special occasion was officially struck in gilded bronze, had no grades, and was without crown. This Gold medal is die struck in the same mold as the officially awarded (bronze) medal, all the details match, only the crown has been added to the top. The crown on the Gold medal corresponds to the crowns that were on the medals of Queen Natalie from 1885; hence, one can conclude that the crown was struck in solid Gold and soldered to the Gold medal; there is no doubt that medal and crown were manufactured in Vienna. Whether this medal was made for someone from the Serbian Royal family (most logical theory), or was subsequently assigned to some of the foreign rulers (none were present at the ceremony) it is very difficult today to confirm because a lot of objects and documents have been stolen/destroyed in Serbia, mostly during WW2. The monastery in Žiče was severally damaged during WW2. Serbian medals struck in solid GOLD are extremely rare or unique. The only other known GOLD medals in existence are: Commemorative medal of the 50 years of the 2nd Serbian uprising; and commemorative medal of the War of 1876-78.