Republic of Basel (Switzerland) Gold Medal 1795 - For Merit

Republic of Basel (Switzerland) Gold Medal 1795 - For Merit
16.46g. 31mm. AU/AU. Medalier: Unknown (local engraver of the Basel Mint). Winterstein (Basler Medaillen) 272a; Schweizer Medaillen 1083; Wunderly 2207. Very rare. Obv.: Oval city coat of arms of Basel featuring a bishop’s crozier (Baselstab) surmounted by a feathered hat, supported by two basilisks standing on a pedestal. Inscription around: RESPVBLICA BASILIENSIS. (Republic of Basel.) Rev.: Seated city goddess facing left, wearing a mural crown, holding a fasces in her left hand and extending a laurel wreath in her right. Inscription around: DISPENSAT PRAEMIA DIGNIS / MDCCXCV. (She bestows rewards upon the worthy / 1795.) This medal was issued by the Republic of Basel in 1795 as a civic Verdienstmedaille (Merit Medal), awarded for outstanding service to the city. The allegorical figure represents Justice and Virtue rewarding the worthy, while the twin basilisks - traditional heraldic supporters of Basel - symbolize vigilance and protection. A fine example of late 18th-century Swiss medallic art.