Paul Vincze

Hungarian-born Paul Vincze first studied at the Budapest State School of Arts and Crafts and then in Roma from 1935-37. The ethnic Jew immigrated to Britain in 1937, just before the Nazis began persecuting Jews in Italy, becoming a British citizen in 1948. After marrying a French woman, Emillenne “Betty” Chauzeix, in 1958, he lived mostly in southern France.

Vincze, a sculptor and medalist, reached a high degree of popularity, particularly based on his medals of famous personalities like Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth, Pope Paul VI. and others. His reputation was greatly enhanced by the two medals struck to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. He also designed many British official coins. The submitted sports medal was one of his earlier designs in plaster after moving to London. It is unknown whether it was ever carried out.