Maria Theresia, 1740-1780, 1741 Queen of Hungary, 1741 Queen of Bohemia, 1745 Empress. Medal undated (1754/1756), AV 41 mm, 43.10 g. Prize medallion of the 'Bergschule für Probier-, Schmelz- und Scheidekunst' (Mining School for Assaying, Smelting and Refining) in Banská Štiavnica (Selmecbánya/Schemnitz). Dies by Matthäus Donner, struck in Wien. MAR THERESIA AUG FEL REI ET METALLURG RESTAURARIX Draped, diademed bust right, engraver's signature M DONNER F below. Rev. Worker at a smelting furnace in a chemistry laboratory, in exergue PROBATORIÆ ET SEPAR / ARTIS STUDIUM / PRÆMIAT. Schaumünzen XCIV (dies by Toda); Montenuovo coll. 1810 (AR, dies by Toda); Müseler 15.1/10 (Sn, dies by Toda); Serfas 302 (AV only by Toda). The second known specimen in gold, alongside the piece in the Vienna Coin Cabinet. Removed from a mount, very fine The Mining School in Schemnitz, which was elevated to the status of a Mining Academy in 1762/1770, trained mining officials for the entire Habsburg Empire. On 4 July 1754, an order was issued to “have gold and silver medals struck for trainees who had passed their examinations with the highest marks”. Bronze and pewter versions are also known to exist, though these are likely from a later period. The present specimen was struck before 1756, when the Viennese chief engraver Donner died. Most of the Schemnitz award medals were struck using dies designed by Josef Anton Toda, Donner’s successor. Apart from the present specimen, the only other known example in gold is the one held in the Vienna Coin Cabinet. Please find here the video of the coin