Coins & Banknotes Public Auction 361

1819 Bellingshausen Antarctic Exploration Medal in silver, 42mm by Sculptor L. Shilov. Struck by the St. Petersburg Mint, Russia in commemoration of the departure of the Bellinghausen Expedition to Antarctica in 1819. Obv: Portrait of Czar Alexander I. Rev: Ships names ('Vostok'/'Mirnyi'). A number of these medals appear to have been carried aboard ship as presentation/trade/propaganda pieces. Thaddeus ---Von Bellingshausen, 1778-1852. A Russian Naval Officer who contributed greatly to the exploration of the Antarctic. His expedition was probably the first to sight the actual Continent of Antarctica. In March 1819, Czar Alexander I of Russia announced 2 expeditions of Exploration, to the Arctic & Antarctic Oceans. Bellingshausen was appointed to lead the Antarctic Expedition with the ships 'Vostok' & 'Mirnyi' - Belinghausen commanding the first vessel. They reached the Antarctic in January 1820. After exploring areas within the Antarctic Circle, they headed North, arriving in Sydney in April 1820. Bellingshausen stayed in Sydney, entertained & re-victualled by the NSW Governor Lachlan Macquarie (under instructions from the Colonial Office) and was permitted to establish his Observatory on North Head. Entertainments included a trip to the Blue Mountains to see the 'Three Sisters' where the Russians also conducted scientific and geological studies including measuring the height of the Blue Mountains. He used Sydney as a base for several forays into the Pacific, finally sailing again for the Antarctic in November 1820. Upon departure, Bellingshausen was presented with the ultimate in souvenirs: a number of Holey Dollars! Bellingshausen's diary mentions his gift of one of these iconic Australian coins to the Viceroy of Peru. Bellingshausen left detailed & meticulous narratives of his stay in the early Colony of NSW & his official artist & officers have left valuable pictorial records of Sydney & its surrounds. Belingshausen eventually rose to the rank of Admiral. The 'Bellingshausen Antarctic Medal' is known in bronze, but is so rare in silver that it makes the Cook 'Resolution & Adventure' Medals appear common! Probably the rarest of the Antarctic Medal series & with good Australasian provenance. Holed for suspension at 12 o'clock. gF. Provenance: Nick Kamper of Bundena (N.S.W.), ex boy Cossack acquired the item in the mid 20th Century from a Persian seaman dying in a Sydney Hospital who stated that he picked it up 'in the South Sea Islands'. Probably a token of esteem given to a Native Chief by Bellingshausen judging by the look of the crude suspension piercing. Previous offered Status International Auction where it sold for $15,000. Extremely Rare. Lot number out of order) (P)