1729, France. ELIZABETH, DUCHESS OF ORLEANS. By Ferdinand de Saint-Urbain. Bronze 59mm. $125.

Ferdinand de Saint-Urbain was born at Nancy on June 30, 1658 (or possibly 1654, according to one source), the son of Claude Augustin de Saint-Urbain, a goldsmith and engraver. In 1673 he was appointed Mint-engraver at Bologna. In 1683 he moved to Rome, where he was appointed Chief engraver by Innocent XI. He returned to Nancy in 1704 and was appointed as Engraver at the mint there in 1797. He created over 120 medals, most of which have a distinctive border, such as that on this medal. Saint-Urbain died in Nancy on January 10, 1738.