Ferdinand Ier (1887-1918). Médaille d’Or, construction du Chemin de fer entre Yambol et Bourgas, par J. Schwerdtner, d’aspect Flan bruni (PROOFLIKE) 1890, Vienne.

BULGARIA Ferdinand I (1887-1918). Gold medal, construction of the railway between Yambol and Bourgas, by J. Schwerdtner, PROOFLIKE 1890, Vienna. Obv. * ФЕРДИНАНДЪ IИЙ * / КНЯЗЬ HA БЪЛГАРИЯ. Bare head facing right; below, signature J. SCHWERDTNER. Rev. * ЯМБОЛЪ - БУРГАСЪ * / 14. MAЙ 1890. Steam locomotive on the left, crossing a bridge. Wurzbach 2069; Gold - 62.84 g - 50 mm - 12 h. NGC MS 62 PL. Two marks on the edge J.C (JS for Johann Schwerdtner) and pentagonal mark (3 and chamois head = 3rd title in Austria-Hungary). Proof-like appearance with mirror-like central areas and satin reliefs. Slight hairlines. Superb to Uncirculated.  The line connecting Yambol to the port city of Burgas on the Black Sea was built between 1889 and 1891. Ferdinand I was personally fond of railways and drove the locomotives himself. A medal was issued for this line, in accordance with Ukase 76 of 14 May 1890, based on a design by Joseph Christian Chistlbauer, to be engraved by Johann Schwerdtner in Vienna. Three sizes were produced: 90 millimetres in gold for Ferdinand I (Künker sale 395 no. 323; 382 g; sold for €170,000); 50 millimetres in bronze, gilded bronze and silver, but also in gold, as evidenced by our example; and finally 30 millimetres in bronze and silver.