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1913. United States of America. Death of John Pierpont Morgan, a bronze plaque by E. Fuchs for Whitehead & Hoag, female figure standing in front of temple, reverse catafalque flanked by male and female figures clasping hands, edge stamped 149, 90 x 74mm (Baxter 292; BDM VII, 331; cf. Garrett Sale IV, 2057; cf. Brand US II, 1236). Very fine (£60-80)

John Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913), banker, financier and patron of the arts; one of America’s wealthiest citizens at the turn of the 20th century who, nevertheless, shunned personal publicity. He formed the United States Steel Corporation in 1901 and the present-day Morgan Guaranty Trust Co is but one descendant of Morgan’s financial empire. Morgan was an astute collector of coins (particularly classical), books and works of art; he purchased the vast collection of Greek and Roman coins formed by Sir John Evans after Evans’ death in 1908. Morgan’s coin collection was disposed of by his son, John Pierpont Morgan Jr (1867-1943) in 1915; the American Numismatic Society and the British Museum were given priority, after which the majority of the classical and British series were sold to R.C. Lockett.

Forrer’s statement (published in 1923) that the dies for this plaque were made in Europe perhaps infers that Whitehead & Hoag’s London branch office in Norfolk Street, Strand, had a hand in their making