GARGOYLES OF THE WORLD – MAGDALEN COLLEGE

Magdalen College – 1 AVDP Oz .999 Fine Copper Round | Gargoyles of the World Series

Description:

Explore the eccentric side of academia with the Magdalen College copper round, a unique addition to our Gargoyles of the World Series. Situated within the University of Oxford, Magdalen College is renowned not only for its academic prestige but also for its collection of whimsical and bizarre stone carvings.

Struck in .999 fine copper, this 1 oz AVDP round measures 39mm and features a vivid rendering of one of the college’s most famous grotesques — a surreal composition featuring a gaping mouth, exaggerated features, and two small beasts emerging from the figure’s head. The composition is as playful as it is peculiar, embodying the spirit of medieval stonework. The reverse features the series’ hallmark design — an ornate gothic window motif framing the Gargoyles of the World title beneath a winged guardian.

The Legend:
Founded in 1458, Magdalen College’s architecture is steeped in Gothic tradition, including an array of grotesques that blend humor and the grotesque. These carvings served as both decoration and moral commentary, often depicting fantastical creatures, caricatures, and satirical imagery. The featured grotesque is a beloved example of Oxford’s architectural quirkiness and the creative freedom afforded to medieval stonemasons.

An ideal collectible for those who appreciate the intersection of scholarship, history, and artistic whimsy.

Highlights:

• Contains 1 oz. AVDP of .999 Fine Copper
• Obverse: Magdalen College’s whimsical grotesque with exaggerated facial features and animal-headed adornments
• Reverse: Gargoyles of the World Series design featuring gothic window detailing and winged gargoyle
• Diameter: 39mm