MORE THAN 35 YEARS AT THE SERVICE OF THE EXQUISITE COLLECTOR, FOR WHOM I THANK.

MEDAL COMMEMORATING PEACE TO THE ORIENTAL PRESIDENT TOMAS VILLALBA IN 1865.

Tomás Villalba (1805-1886) was a Uruguayan politician and administrator. He served as the provisional president of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay from February 15 to 20, 1865, during a period of extreme civil unrest (Venancio Flores's Liberation Crusade and the imminent War of the Triple Alliance).

Pablo Cataldi, a renowned goldsmith and engraver active in the Río de la Plata region, was commissioned to create official and Masonic pieces. Among them, "The Tomás Villalba Album" stands out—a rare commemorative medal originally minted in tin or pewter and dedicated to the president by Uruguayans abroad in commemoration of the pursuit of peace in 1865. Today, the pieces engraved by Cataldi for Villalba are highly valued historical collector's items at Argentine and Uruguayan numismatic auctions.

The medal is the work of the artist Pablo Cataldi.

Goldsmith, engraver, silversmith, medalist, and painter, he was born in Palermo, Sicily, Italy in 1820 and died in Buenos Aires in 1882. In Palermo, he had a silversmithing and jewelry workshop, specializing in intaglio and relief work. He arrived in Buenos Aires in 1856, and in this city he befriended Rosario Grande, who later became his partner, with both being the official engravers of the time. He found official support, especially in Entre Ríos, where he was a protégé of General Urquiza, and in Uruguay, to develop his work as a tireless craftsman, creating dies for stamping medals and minting coins. He also chased jewelry in gold and silver. He did not use casting. Associated with Pedro de Angelis, he was recommended in 1857 to Bartolomé Mitre, who commissioned him to do some work in his specialty. Among other achievements in his work as a goldsmith, it is worth noting that in 1857, when Rivadavia's remains were repatriated, he minted the commemorative medal, as he also did when Lavalle's remains were brought to Buenos Aires. Mitre, paying homage to Urquiza's service, presented him with a tortoiseshell cane crafted by Cataldi, with a topaz handle, set with a large gold plate. Around 1867, he settled in Entre Ríos, where he worked with Urquiza until 1870. Urquiza conceived the idea of ​​minting silver coins worth half a real to address the shortage of circulating currency. For this purpose, he enlisted Cataldi's help, who minted small coins bearing the coat of arms of Entre Ríos.

PEWTER - DIAM: 55.9. - Weight:  92.51grams.

EXCELLENT VISIBLE CONDITION.

THE BEST PRESERVED COSMETICALLY I HAVE EVER SEEN.

SINCE CONSERVATION IS SUBJECTIVE, PLEASE SEE PHOTOS AND ACT ACCORDING TO YOUR APPRECIATION.

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All Items are unconditionally guaranteed to be genuine, authentic and as described.

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