Château de Blain Gargoyle Type VII – 1 Troy Ounce Silver Round
Explore the Gargoyles of the World collection
LOCATION: CHÂTEAU DE BLAIN, Loire-Atlantique, France
A castle’s character lives in its small details as well as its towers. This Type VII round brings a gargoyle from Château de Blain into focus, celebrating the imaginative stonework of a French fortress in one troy ounce of .999 fine silver.
A Castle Shaped by Centuries
Also known as Château de la Groulais, the castle at Blain stands in Loire-Atlantique, within the historical landscape of Brittany. Its long story includes medieval expansion, damage, rebuilding, and changes in use. Successive owners, including the Clisson and Rohan families, helped shape a site that served as both a stronghold and a residence.
That layered history is important when looking at an old building. A castle rarely represents a single moment preserved untouched: walls, living quarters, and decorative details may reflect different campaigns of construction and restoration. The gargoyle on this round is presented as a feature of the château, without assigning an unverified date or sculptor to the individual carving.
Architectural creatures also remind us that practical buildings could make room for invention. Traditional gargoyles direct rainwater away from masonry, while related decorative grotesques have no drainage role. Both give artists opportunities to turn an edge, corner, or roofline into something memorable.
Obverse Design
The obverse depicts a gargoyle at Château de Blain in France. Isolating the subject within a circular silver field draws attention to the carving itself, allowing a detail from a much larger building to become the centerpiece of the design.
Reverse Design
The common series reverse surrounds “GARGOYLES OF THE WORLD” with Gothic architectural window frames. A gargoyle rests on the “O” in “GARGOYLES,” and the hallmark appears at six o’clock along the outer circumference.
Specifications
- Weight: 1.00 troy ounce
- Thickness: 3.10 mm
- Purity: .999 fine silver
- Edge: Reeded
- Diameter: 39 mm
- Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated
