Portugal: Voyage of Discovery Round the Cape of Good Hope
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Form:
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Circular
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By:
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F. Fonseca |
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Date:
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? |
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Ref:
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Laidlaw: 0942;
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Variations:
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| Size | Metal | Mass | Value |
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| 60.0 mm | White Metal (Dull) | 84.6 gm | $15 |
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Edge:
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Plain.
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Obverse:
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On the left, a giant sea monster with octopus arms. Stormy sea on the right with two small Portuguese caravels. Signed: "F.Fonseca" at the foot.
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Reverse:
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Chapterhouse window at the Convent of Christ in Tomar, Portugal. Above: "DOBRAGEM DO / CABO DA BOA ESPERANÇA/ 1487". Below on the left in small letters: "JANELA DO CAPITULO / CONVENTO DE CHRISTO / TOMAR". Signed: "F.Fonseca" at the foot.
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Notes:
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One of a series of medals by F. Fonseca on the Portuguese voyages of discovery. All have the same reverse. This medal commemorates the voyage of Bartolomeu Dias 1487-1488 round the Cape of Good Hope.
The monster depicted on the obverse is Adamastor, a Greek-type mythological character, symbolizing the forces of nature that Portuguese navigators had to overcome during their voyages.
The Convent of the Order of Christ is a Roman Catholic building in Tomar, Portugal. It was built in the 12th century as a Knights Templar stronghold and subsequently became the headquarters of the Knights of the Order of Christ. Prince Henry the Navigator ruled the Order from 1417 up to his death in 1460 and supported the pioneering sea voyages during the Age of Exploration.
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