Rare Austria 1873 Franz Joseph I Vienna World Expo Die Trial Strike Uniface Tin Cliche Medal 70mm 220g

Numismatic, Die Trial, Cliche, Abschlag, Austro-Hungarian, Franz Joseph, Mint Error, Weltausstellung 1873, Exonumia.
For sale is an exceptionally rare numismatic production artifact: an early uniface trial strike (cliché / Abschlag) for the 1873 Vienna World Exposition (Weltausstellung 1873 Wien) prize medal.The obverse features the highly detailed laureate portrait of Emperor Franz Joseph I, masterfully engraved by the renowned Austrian mint master Josef Tautenhayn (signed J. TAUTENHAYN under the neck truncation).Unlike the standard issued bronze prize medals that cap out at roughly 150 grams, this piece is struck or cast in solid tin, featuring a totally blank, rugged reverse side with visible workflow tool marks and concentric turning patterns. It sits at a massive weight of 220 grams and measures a standard 70mm (7cm) in diameter. These soft metal trial strikes were uniquely produced in the engraver’s workshop to test the integrity of the die before final mass production. A superb, scarce centerpiece for collectors of Austrian Empire memorabilia or numismatic mint errors.