Rare Early Washington Portrait Snuffbox

(ca. 1806) George Washington medallic portrait snuff box. Fused plate, 54 mm. 25 mm thick. Fennimore (Metalwork in Early America by Donald J. Fennimore, 1996), figure 215a. Very Fine or better. A very early sort of snuff box, known in the Ford sale as only trimmed down lids identified as "interesting Washington Uniface Medals" and similar to the likewise fragmentary specimen in the 1914 Parsons sale. The Fennimore book, which describes metalwork made from copper and its alloys in the Winterthur Museum collection, gets to the bottom of this issue, including an image from an early 19th century trade publication advertising this very piece. Made at the same time as framed plaques from the same die, the intact snuff boxes seem to turn up less frequently in numismatic circles. "The Frames and Box may be had with the Head of Nelson, Pitt, Fox, Washington, Jefferson, or Bonaparte," says the ad, placing the likely date of these around 1806 or so. The silverplate on this piece is somewhat worn, showing some darker toning in the fields and the brassy layer beneath on the highpoints. Two scratches are present on the right side of the obverse. Long misunderstood by Washingtoniana collectors, this is what this particular medallic portrait of Washington looks like intact...$1450

Nice Original Copper 1797 Washington Sansom Medal

1797 (i.e. ca. 1807) Washington Sansom medal. Baker-71A, Julian PR-1. Copper, 41 mm. Mint State. An early example of this medal, struck on a thin planchet from the original dies. The surfaces are lovely medium brown, with the reflective fields yielding some deep blue and violet undertones. Some marks and handling are noted, typical of a medal produced before the late 1850s explosion of collectors and cabinets, but the eye appeal is superb. While the Rulau-Fuld estimate of 12-15 known specimens is wildly off-base, this medal is still multiply times rarer than a 1793 Chain cent, perhaps more on the order of a Starred Reverse. It is tough to find much nicer than this...$1150

Hermon MacNeil's Beautiful Pan-American Exposition Medal of 1901

1901 Pan-American Exposition award medal. Silver, 63 mm. Dies by Hermon A. MacNeil. Choice About Uncirculated. Edge marks for sterling and Gorham Co. Named to "Secreta. de Hacienda," Mexican Finance Secretary Leandro Fernandez. Light silver gray with glittering matte proof surfaces enlivened by golden toning on the obverse, a blend of slate blue and gold on the reverse. A particularly choice example of this large medal, a type typically distributed to non-numismatists and institutions. More often than not, these silver award medals are found roughly handled, making a nice one like this a real pleasure to handle. A slightly more worn example sold at Heritage in 2008 for $2,990. MacNeil's designs for the obverse and reverse of this medal represent a highpoint of American medallic art that has perhaps never been surpassed (though fans of his Standing Liberty quarter design may differ). The large format of this medal make is especially enjoyable to hold or display...$2950

Remarkable High Grade Victories of 1759 Medal, Betts-418

1759 Victories medal. Golden bronze, 43 mm. Betts-418. Choice Uncirculated. Misdescribed in Ford as "Victories of 1758," this type marks victories from the year 1759, including the triumphant taking of Quebec, Crown Point, and Fort Niagara. Though this is a fairly common Betts medal, this might be the nicest I've handled, finer and showing far more original color than the best of the Ford pieces. It is also finer than the Adams piece, which brought $1,150 in the very unusual single-winner Adams sale in January 2012. This golden bronze composition is more glossy than lustrous, but the obverse retains some brightness around the golden framed peripheries. The reverse is at least half bright gold, with just a little dark area above CRO of CROWN. Boldly detailed, free of spots or damage, this is as choice as this particular medal comes. A find for the connoisseur...$1150

(1930) Fidelity Medallion or Andre Capture medal. As Betts-576. Silvered brass, 63 x 43 mm. Essentially as made. Jump ring remains on integral hanger. Dusky antiqued silver gray patina is matte but for the smooth central obverse device. A copy, produced by Whitehead and Hoag around the 150th anniversary of Col. John Andre's 1780 capture. Just three original specimens of Betts-576 were produced, authorized by the Continental Congress to be presented to the three sentries, Privates Van Wert, Paulding, and Williams, who participated in Andre's discovery. Two of those medals survived, both of which were stolen from the New-York Historical Society in the 1970s. The ANS has a close copy of the John Paulding specimen. The Betts editors noted that at least a few unengraved specimens exist, including the Vattemare specimen, now impounded at the Bibliotheque Nationale (assuming it has survived). Since Betts-576 is essentially uncollectible, this is the only reasonably attractive way to represent this historic Congressionally authorized type. The event was important enough at the time that three counties in the northwest corner of Ohio were named for the privates who received this award. Even though this copy is relatively modern, it is fairly scarce and has never been offered with any of the well known (LaRiviere, Ford, etc.) Betts medal offerings...$275

(ca. 1815) Washington medal by Halliday. As Baker-70. White porcelain, 50 mm. 4.0 mm thick. About Uncirculated. An unusual format for a Washington medal, though copies of medals of this era are known in wax, porcelain, even glass. This one shows a few spots, but no chips or damage. The Rulau-Fuld Baker list this in gutta percha, but not porcelain. The struck form of the Halliday medal is 55 mm, somewhat larger than this reduced rendition. An odd, rare piece of early Washingtoniana...$425

1904 French St. Louis World's Fair medal, with original box. Bronze, 50 mm. As issued. Dies by Alexis Joseph DePaulis. Light even tan patina. The obverse depicts allegorical figures of Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America gathering around an altar, depositing gifts, with a wagon and sailing vessel in the background. The reverse bears a simple inscription. Produced by the Paris Mint for the St. Louis World's Fair, the box retains the sticker label of the Shakespeare Head Book-Shop at No. 12 S. Broadway, St. Louis. A nicely preserved artifact from this popular World's Fair, one of several events commemorated by both official US Mint commemorative coins as well as medals...$225

The Earliest Medallic Rendering of Dartmouth College

(1852) Daniel Webster memorial medal by C.C. Wright. Bronze, 76 mm. Julian PE-37. Gem Mint State. A nearly flawless piece, with a glowing fine mahogany patina, no spots, and no significant handling. The original box also survives, having taken some of the abuse over the years but preserving its medal brilliantly. The majestic portrait by Wright is the classic medallic rending of Webster, accomplished with fine detail and high relief. On the reverse, what appears to be pedestrian is fascinating under a glass, with the small cluster of buildings on the left of the obelisk depicting Dartmouth College, based on an apparently unknown image similar to the perspective used in the 1793 Josiah Dunham print. On the right, the buildings are said to be those found in Washington DC, apparently the US Capitol of 1850, before its dome was assembled. There is no early medallic depiction of Dartmouth, and only the 1848 Washington Monument medals depict Washington at an earlier time. The reverse may also be the first medallic illustration of the US Capitol. This underappreciated medal is tough to find in such marvelously preserved condition...Hold

(ca. 1830) World Map medal. As Rulau (Discovering America) E-9, Eimer 141/1139a. Tin, 51 mm. By J. Ottley, Birmingham. Choice Mint State. Brightly reflective and untoned surfaces show exceptional detail and only minor evidence of handling. The Western Hemisphere side of the medal identifies the United States, Washington (DC), Cape Mendocino, California, and the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii), including Owyhee. A very popular early map medal, highly attractive and as interesting to study as any ancient globe. I've owned only one other example of this smaller size map medal in such nice grade...$1250

1913 Thomas Alva Edison medalet. Bronze, 32 mm. Choice About Uncirculated. An interesting half-dollar sized medalet from the Electrical Exposition & Motorshow of 1913, held for one week in October of that year at the Grand Central Palace in New York City. Showcasing new electric cars and everything from "the ordinary toaster ... to a model United States mint," according to a New York Times article about the event. I would assume these tokens were produced and distributed to those who attended the show. Most of these that I've seen have been well handled, but this has nice medium brown color and some remaining lustre on the bronzed surfaces. While I'm more of a Tesla man myself (I have fancied myself the second most famous Croatian-American to live in Colorado Springs), Edison is a fascinating character with relatively few numismatic portraits...$125

1739 Admiral Vernon at Portobello medal. McCormick-Goodhart 61A, Adams-Chao PBv 34-GG. Pinchbeck, 37 mm. Choice Very Fine. Nice light brown and deep golden tones naturally blend on pleasing surfaces. A bit softly struck (and a little worn), but very attractive. Not very glossy, single spot in left obverse field. This reverse die is one of the most extensively married in the entire Vernon field; a die marriage chart, emission sequence, and die state study would hinge on the states of this reverse in at least one branch. This example was included in the "Norweb Collection" sale of 2006, part of a consignment from the noted gun and medal collector Glode Requa. Requa's Vernon medal collection was one of the largest ever sold publicly, more numerous that either LaRiviere's or the Boyd-Ford grouping. Called a Rarity-6 by Adams and Chao, this is a simple, classic Vernon medal variety that would serve as an excellent type piece...$525

1909 Cooper Union 50th anniversary medal. Yellow bronze, 68 mm. Mint State. A handsome large format medal, engraved by Louis Oscar Roty and struck by Tiffany. Marked TIFFANY & CO BRONZE and STANLEY MAYER on the edge. Only a few light marks and evidence of friction, even and choice with an intact patina. A beautifully composed Beaux Arts medal, accomplished by Victor David Brenner's mentor. Comes with one tattered side of the original red cardboard Tiffany box...$325

1776 calendar medal by Winckelman, Brussels. Pinchbeck metal, 40 mm. Choice Extremely Fine. Attractive glossy light brown on the obverse, a choice and unusual tone, more typical even dark olive on the reverse. Superb condition for a calendar medal of this era, which was typically struck cheaply (as here) and carried everywhere for a full year. I've handled one other specimen of this Belgian-struck calendar medal dated 1776, struck from the same dies and snapped up just about as soon as I put it on the site last year. I'm delighted to have another, particularly in such nice shape...$675

Elusive ca. 1890 Pender, Nebraska Washington Indian Peace Medal

"1789" (ca. 1890-1900) Washington Indian Peace medal. Tinned pewter, 63 mm. Baker-173N, Prucha-64. Choice Extremely Fine. Holed for suspension, as issued. A notably well-preserved example of this popular if unofficial Indian trade medal, retaining full lustrous, reflective tinning on the reverse and some lustrous hints in the toned down obverse fields. Some light wear is seen on the obverse's high points, a few rim nicks and a series of test cuts on the obverse rim at 8:00. Clearly worn, but nicely preserved. This medal was widely distributed among Native Americans in Nebraska and the Dakotas, apparently all stemming from a single salesman in Pender, Nebraska who was striking medals from these dies during the last decade of the 19th century. Just when these dies were made is a matter of some debate, but we know Indians showed up to the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Expo wearing them and the gentleman depicted in the best Indian photograph I ever sold was wearing one as well. A piece in the Norweb Collection brought $2,760 in similar condition, which must be a record. Ford's hammered at $950 each, far too cheap considering the Norweb realization just five months later. As an attractive medal that depicts George Washington and was actually worn by Native Americans around 1900, it seems like it's worth in between those numbers in this fine condition...Hold

1741 Admiral Vernon, Admiral Ogle, and General Wentworth at Cartagena medal. Betts-312, McCormick-Goodhart 235, Adams-Chao CAvow 2-B. Pinchbeck, 38 mm. Very Fine. Signed "T. Giles" at the base of the obverse, making this one of only a few signed pieces in the substantial Vernon medal series. Old encrustation around devices and legends adds contrast to a deep olive, near black, patina. Problem free, glossy even if not quite smooth. Some wear but all major details are bold. This crowded and fancy medal is called a Rarity-6 by Adams and Chao, though it seems rarer than some of the other Rarity-6s, perhaps just because of its distinctiveness. I've never seen a standard bronze striking of this in Mint State...$475

1800 Washington Hero of Freedom medal. Copper, 38 mm. Baker-79. Very Good. An unusual specimen of this popular Washington memorial medal from the year after his death, one that clearly spent a lot of time as a pocket piece -- or circulating as a penny. The surfaces are smooth and free of corrosion, toned a pleasing medium brown. Some little rim nicks are noted, and the nearly smooth central reverse shows some trivial surface marks, but the eye appeal is excellent for the grade. I've never seen another specimen as worn as this one, which adds considerably to its charm...$295

Among Finest Known Baker-617 by C. Wyllys Betts

1862 New Haven Numismatic Society medal. Tin, 44 mm. Baker-617. By C. Wyllys Betts. Choice About Uncirculated. A beautiful example of this typically ugly rarity, one whose reactive tin composition has plagued most known specimens with serious black spots or oxidation over the years. This one has remained lustrous and bright, with only minor toning in the fields and a few dark smudges. The only better piece I've ever seen illustrated is Betts' own example, held at Yale University, which looks positively gorgeous. Other standard sources do not return similar results: Garrett, Norweb, Boyd, Ford, Collins, and other major sales lacked this rare medal entirely. The 1914 Parsons specimen turned up in the 1992 Steinberg sale and again in 1993; it was described as showing an "even dusting of tin pest on both sides." The description noted that "only three recent auction appearances come to mind" dating back to the 1981 Kessler-Spangenberger sale. Fuld found just six specimens in his 40 years of research. I've seen three or four at most, and this is the finest by a country mile. Aside from being rare and beautiful, this medal was engraved by one of the most notable personalities of the late 19th century numismatic scene and features -- what could be better -- little cartoonish engravings of various colonial coins: a Higley copper, a Miller 1.A Connecticut copper of 1787, a Fugio copper, an Auctori Plebis token, and a Washington Large Eagle obverse. If this medal was common, every colonial coin collector would want one as a cute accessory to their collection of coppers. Unfortunately it's damn rare and usually not very attractive. Here's an exception for connoisseurs...$1250

Fascinating and Early Washington Figural Pipe Tamper

(ca. 2nd half of the 19th century) George Washington portrait pipe tamper. Brass, 65 mm tall. Very Fine. Pleasing dusky brassy patina on the "obverse," more polished and bright on the blank "reverse." This shows some handling, tiny marks left from coins or keys over years carried in a pocket. The eye appeal is excellent and no damage is seen. The portrait is clearly copied from the 1819 head by Vivier for use on the Series Numismatica -- or clearly copied from the 1832 bust by Wright and Bale, as used on Baker-74. For some reason, I've never read that these busts were related (though they clearly are). Rulau notes that Viviver's bust "is purely fictitious, bearing no resemblance to George Washington," while making no such slanders against the nearly identical 1832 Wright and Bale medal. In any case, this tamper is not listed in Rulau/Fuld/Baker nor have I seen it included with any collection of medallic Washingtoniana...$975

(ca. 1860) Washington's Tomb medal by Merriam. Silvered white metal, 31 mm. Baker-122. Choice Mint State. Delicate lustre on frosty deep blue-gray surfaces shows hints of gold and rose toning, with bright electric blue dominating the reverse. The reverse is more lustrous and reflective than the obverse. The "silvering" is probably actually "tinning," a thin layer of tin that tends to react adversely with the environment. This one is very nicely preserved and shows gorgeous color...Sold

1856 Washington Eight Presidents medal. Bronze, 47 mm. Baker-382. MS-64 (NGC). An extremely rare entry among mid-19th century Washintoniana, muling the 1856 obverse of Baker-380 with the ca. 1840 reverse from Baker-221. This muling was produced by W.H. Key for collectors in extremely small numbers, with this Baker number missing from Norweb, Steinberg, Boyd (both the Ford sale and the Collins FPL), Collins, and other major cabinets. Garrett had one that brought $200 in 1981, described as "Extremely rare." Rulau-Fuld calls this Rarity-8. This example boasts choice lustrous chocolate brown surfaces, nicely reflectively on both sides with a solid bronzed patina. A tiny spot above Martin Van Buren serves as an identifier. This example was offered during the low part of the market, in the January 2009 Stack's Americana sale, going unsold at a $2800 opening bid. Had Ford, Boyd, Collins, or Steinberg still been collecting, there might have been a floor fight...$1650

1762 Victories medal. Brass, 41 mm. Betts-441. Choice Extremely Fine. Dark chocolate brown with a mattelike finish and a hint of brassy color at the highpoint of the obverse. This patina is distinctive from copper examples seen, and this example appears to be struck on a brass planchet like Ford 14:109. The look is attractive, the surfaces choice, with just a little discoloration near 6:00 on the reverse. The raised reverse die flaw at SEP 18 is typical for the issue. The reverse, in an echo of issues from 1758 and 1759, celebrates the victories of the year, notably including the invasion and defeat of Havana, an effort including thousands of American colonial troops. A smaller action in Newfoundland is notable as the last battle of the Seven Years War in North America. Just as the victories of 1758 and 1759 are more famous, the medals struck to commemorate them apparently sold better than the 1762 version, when the war was all but over - PAX AUSPICATA means "Peace Foretold." The Ford example in this composition was a little finer, but in the same general grade range. Ford only ever located one copper and one brass specimen, yet he had two silver ones...Hold

Famously Intricate 1848 Winfield Scott Medal

1848 Winfield Scott Mexican War Battles medal. Bronze, 90 mm. Julian MI-26. Choice About Uncirculated. Deep mahogany bronzing, darker than often seen, shows excellent gloss and eye appeal. Boldly struck, free of any serious problems, just a couple very minor specks, a nearly invisible rim bruise at 9:00 on the reverse, and a few little ticks in the high wire rim. The reverse (click here for high-resolution version) is a showcase of the best work of Charles Cushing Wright's career, a masterpiece in the tradition of Dupre, Furst, and others. This large, heavy medal ranks with the Zachary Taylor medal for Buena Vista for execution and sheer mass. A classic US Mint military medal, marking the conflict that guaranteed the success of "Manifest Destiny" and opened the way to California...Hold

1852 Henry Clay memorial medal. Bronze, 76 mm. Julian PE-8. Choice Mint State. A superb example, with rich color and nearly flawless surfaces, showing just a hint of merest friction on the knuckles of the reverse and a minuscule nick near 5:00 on inside the reverse rim. This famous portrait medal was executed soon after Clay's death by Charles Cushing Wright, celebrating Clay as "the eloquent defender of national rights and national independence." An impressive, hefty example of the state of the art in mid-19th century American medal manufacture...$675

Extremely Rare 1839 Horticultural Society of Charleston, South Carolina Silver Medal

1830 (1839) Horticultural Society of Charleston (SC) award medal. Silver, 38 mm. By Wright and Bale. Choice Extremely Fine. Plain edge. Reverse engraved to F. Michell for "Early Peaches" in 1839. Choice eye appeal, with old toning of deep pewter gray and navy blue with hints of light silver and gold. Light wear, no abuse, slight handling but nothing serious, a bit of mint flash remains in the fields. The reverse die shows three rim breaks from 1:00 to 6:00. Interesting, the obverse shows no sign of the W&B, N.Y. signature under the tree seen on what appear to be the only other known awarded specimen, the Woodward 69th Sale-Garrett-Ford specimen. The Wright and Bale partnership appears to have severed in 1834, so whichever partner continued striking these medals for the Horticultural Society of Charleston apparently effaced the partnership's name from the obverse die. The Ford piece, which brought $920 in 2005 when described as "extremely rare, possibly unique," received plenty of attention when sold in W. Elliot Woodward's October 1884 sale also, bringing $5.50, the same price as a proof 1843 large cent. Other highlights in the sale included a Mint State 1795 cent ($8) and the only known Charleston "Free" Liberty Cap slave badge, which sold for $6.25. The same piece brought $650 in the 1981 Garrett sale, more than thirty years ago. I've heard of two unawarded pieces, one in the Bowers and Merena sale of October 1982 (New York Public Library) (brought $407) and another in Presidential Coin and Antiques July 2007 sale. With records showing that these were given out at least from 1832 to 1839 (including 19 in 1836), you would think more of these would be around. It seems, like most precious metal medals from the antebellum South, most disappeared over the years -- this weighs more than two silver dollars, making it a valuable piece of specie. This fascinating relic of 1830s Charleston would fit in any collection of rare American medals...$875

Washington's Letter to Hamilton Medal, 1864: Just 14 Struck

1864 Washington's Letter to Hamilton medal by John Adams Bolen. Musante JAB-11, Baker-257B. White metal, 59 mm. Choice About Uncirculated. A classic Washington portrait medal by one of the most avidly collected 19th century die sinkers. This distinctive medal is Bolen's largest effort, and its unique subject matter has made it a must-have for serious Washingtoniana collectors. This example is far better than average, with reflective and lustrous fields showing only light toning and some minor and inoffensive hairlines. The rims are perfect, there are no heavy nicks, and the few scattered specks are not significant. The reverse inscription comes from Washington's letter to Alexander Hamilton on August 26, 1792, describing his hope that political divisiveness would not tear the Union asunder. Of course, Bolen saw special meaning for his chosen quote during the nadir of the Civil War. He struck just 14 in white metal (one of which is impounded at New-York Historical Society and another of which resides at the ANS.) The last one that sold was from the Q. David Bowers collection; not as nice as this one, it brought $1,438 last June. With a total mintage of 40 or so (eight of which were silver, the remainder copper), there are not enough nice examples of this medal to go around...Sold

1890 Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association Seventeenth Exhibition medal. Silver, 51 mm. Julian AM-41. Choice Mint State. Put simply, the prettiest one of these I've ever handled According to Julian, 140 were struck in silver of this medal, the last of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association medals to be struck at the US Mint. This one shows beautiful surfaces toned an array from pale green and gold to rose and violet. The box is original, worn on the outside but quite nicely preserved on the inside. This specimen perfectly showcases the detailed obverse design, including a tiny but perfectly formed steam locomotive and train at the left obverse exergue. A real gem...$475

1894 Onondaga Historical Association medal. Bronze, 51 mm. Choice Mint State. Rich deep chocolate patina resembles the US Mint's finest efforts, with similar glossy lustre and good eye appeal. The unsigned dies show three Iroquois sitting around a campfire in front of a longhouse on the shore of Onondaga Lake, with another Indian paddling a canoe in the background. The reverse shows a map of the "Military Tract" with the inscription "The Bounty of the State of New York to Her Soldiers Of The American Revolution." This medal was struck in 1894 by the Onondaga Historical Association of Syracuse, New York, apparently only in bronze. The association sent specimens to plenty of other historical societies (including the New-York Historical Society) and museums including the British Museum. They don't seem to turn up often in the collector market -- in over a decade writing up medal consignments for major auction houses, I never saw a single one cross my desk. The popular subject matter and attractive surfaces would make this a fine addition to a collection of Indian Peace medals or medals referencing the American Revolution...Sold

(ca. 1859) Major John Andre / Old Dutch Church medal. Bronze, 34 mm. Choice Mint State. A charming little medalet marking the trial and execution of the much beloved Andre, a British officer in league with Benedict Arnold who counted many friends on both sides of the Revolutionary struggle. Very attractive bronzed surfaces show lustre and some reflectivity, well preserved but for a couple minor spots on the reverse. Though unsigned, this piece has been attributed to George H. Lovett by several authorities, including the excellent Lovett website. The Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia received their specimen directly from Isaac Wood, who used George H. Lovett to accomplish the medals in his historical series, thus making Lovett the most likely suspect. Andre is a fascinating character. His execution broke plenty of Patriot hearts, including that of Alexander Hamilton, who noted "Everything that is amiable in virtue, in fortitude, in delicate sentiment and accomplished manners, pleads for him, but hard-hearted policy calls for a sacrifice. He must die." He was still remembered fondly four score later when this medalet was struck and gingerly preserved...Sold

Historic Free Academy of New York Medal by CC Wright

1859 Free Academy of the City of New York Ward Medal. Bronze, 51 mm. Dies by C.C. Wright. About Uncirculated. Original mount and jump ring remain. Glossy mahogany and brown surfaces show attractive, if gently mottled color on both sides. Extremely sharp, with Charles Cushing Wright's magnificent rendition of the Neo-Gothic Free Academy at 23rd and Lexington Avenue dominating the obverse, as fine an architectural rending as appears on an American medal. The reverse includes the careful engraving awarding this to James Charles Fitzpatrick for Greek in 1859, just six years after the medal was first instituted. Shortly after graduating, Fitzpatrick became a celebrated Civil War correspondent for the New York Herald and aide-de-camp for Ambrose Burnside, filing reports and drawings from Vicksburg, Wilderness, and other battles. He was just 18 when awarded this medal.
Though given away for decades by the Free Academy, which evolved into the City College of New York, the Wright-engraved Ward medals do not turn up on the market with great frequency. The ANS holds just one specimen, awarded in 1880. There are a few at the New-York Historical Society, including an unawarded specimen with the same ring as present here, proving that this is the original mount. This medal could find a place in an architectural medal collection with ease -- the structure was demolished in 1928 and the design here depicts it better than most photographs. It would also be a natural for inclusion in a Civil War-themed collection, one focused on New York medals or the work of Charles Cushing Wright, or a cabinet of academic award medals...$425

(ca. 1860-1900?) Baseball Player die trial. Copper, 22 mm. Choice Mint State. Uniface. An unusual little piece, perhaps just a trial of a punch that someday made its way onto some token or medal, perhaps a trial strike from a button die. Full cartwheel lustre remains on frosty light brown surfaces, some traces of mint red around device. The reverse is blank, just a bit incuse opposite the die from the metal flow. The die is well-executed, showing a batsman ready for a pitch in a high-collared uniform with knee-length pants. It resembles Bolen's Pioneer Baseball Club piece a bit, but is obviously different. I wish I knew more about this charming little cent-sized piece...$175

1902 Wells-Fargo semicentennial so--called dollar. Silver, 40 mm. HK-296. Choice About Uncirculated. A choice and original example of this popular so-called dollar, struck to mark the 50th anniversary of Wells Fargo and given to employees who had been with the company for at least a year at the time. Rated as a Rarity-5, a survey at So-CalledDollar.com found 65 recorded specimens. Few are as unmolested as this one, with ideal dark toning in recesses and only the merest rub on high points. Technically choice AU, I could easily see this grading as some sort of low Mint State grade if slabbed just because it's so appealing. The busy design and Old West theme make this one of the most popular types in the Hibler-Kappen series...Sold

1865 (i.e. 1874) Cornelius Vanderbilt medal. Bronze, 76 mm. Julian PE-36. Choice About Uncirculated. Beautiful lustrous light mahogany bronzing, still reflective in the fields, graces both sides. A superb example from a mintage of just 85 examples, coined from dies engraved by Salathiel Ellis but designed by the famous Emmanuel Leutze, the artist who painted the enormous Washington Crossing the Delaware. The dies were accomplished in 1865 to strike one enormous gold medal, but were transferred to the US Mint in 1874, where the bronzes were produced for collectors. This one was nicely preserved, now showing just a few minor wispy hairlines and a tiny rim nick on the reverse near 7:00. For whatever reason, this medal tends not to survive in nice condition like this most of the time. While this is listed as a personal medal (PE) in Julian, since the original intent was to give a gold example to Cornelius Vanderbilt, the medal was struck to recognize the gift of the Steamer Vanderbilt to the US Navy, making this an easy piece to include in a naval medal (Julian NA) collection as well...$925

"Britain and America Joined:" A Rare William Pitt Medal, ex Norweb Collection

(1766) William Pitt Defender of Liberty Medal. Pinchbeck metal, 33 mm. Betts-521. Very Fine or better. The Norweb specimen of this fascinating medal, important for the historic moment which it represents and for its unusual, evocative iconography. The obverse features a three-quarters facing bust of William Pitt, as well defined here as on nearly any example of this usually softly struck medal. The reverse is crisp and little worn. The obverse patina shows some scaly black over the deep natural brassy tone, with hints of red in the most granular areas of the northwest obverse. The reverse is much more even in surface and color. While most medals of this era were struck for collectors and were deposited nearly immediately into a gentleman's cabinet, this type is clearly different: it was struck from crudely made dies (every one of the four Ns are backwards) in a cheap composition and most known specimens are either well worn or corroded. This was plainly a medal struck for common consumption, a workingman's souvenir of the much beloved Pitt. The obverse proclaims Pitt as LIBERTATIS VINDEX or "the Defender of Liberty," while the reverse shows a Liberty cap (15 years before the Libertas Americana) topping a sword and a peripheral legend of BRITANNIA ET AMERICA JUNCTAE or "Britain and America Joined." While no marketing materials survive for this medal -- or nearly any medal of the era, for that matter -- it seems more than possible that this medal was struck expressly for the American market in the days after Pitt's assistance killed the hated Stamp Act.
While neither Garrett nor Norweb focused on Betts medals, both cabinets contained a specimen of this medal. Most advanced colonial type collections already contain a Pitt medal, the so-called Pitt "halfpenny." As Garrett and Norweb recognized, this is a sensible piece to add alongside of that much more common type. This is probably Rarity-6 on the Sheldon scale (13-30 known), scarcer than the more expensive Redbook-listed Pitt halfpenny by at least an order of magnitude.
Despite the fact that Ford owned five specimens, those five represented the vast majority of the examples sold in the last 50 years. Despite owning four already, Ford thought enough of this type to purchase a low grade example in 1993 when his collection was essentially complete. This specimen is pedigreed to the October 1987 Norweb I sale, Lot 1245, previously acquired by Mrs. Norweb from Hollinbeck-Kagin in March 1955. It brought $330 in 1987. The original Norweb lot ticket is included...Sold

Choice 1782 French Widows and Orphans Jeton, Missed By Betts

France. 1782 jeton to mark the assistance of the French clergy towards widows and orphans of the American Revolution. Betts-unlisted. Silver, octagonal, 32 mm. About Uncirculated. A rare jeton, struck "on behalf of the navy and the widows and orphans of sailors" noting "the French clergy voluntarily offered gifts," or so reads the Latin reverse. Beautiful quality for this issue, with reflective fields, bold lustre, and ideal light toning. At least as nice as the two in Ford XIII that hammered at $1500 each. This is a natural addition to a Betts series, struck as it was to commemorate an aspect of the French involvement in the American effort. I don't think anyone's ever published the document authorizing this piece, but here it is, passed in November 1782, thirteen months after Yorktown. An official product of the French clergy as a gift to veterans and military families, this is infrequently offered today. If Betts had known about it, it would be a much more popular medal today...$975

Extremely Rare 1861 Washington "Decisive War" Medal

1861 THE FOUNDER OF OUR UNION / A DECISIVE WAR medal. Baker-282. White metal, 25 mm. MS-62 (NGC). A charmingly crude Civil War issue, depicting a full length figure of George Washington on the obverse with the legend "The Founder of Our Union, 1776." Washington wears non-military dress and holds a document in one hand and a sword in the other. The reverse inscription reads "A Decisive / War Only / Can Restore / Peace and / Prosperity / 1861." Rulau calls this medal Rarity-9, Joe Levine has catalogued this as "extremely rare, we know of only a few other examples," and Henry Chapman called this piece "rare" in his 1909 catalogue of the Andrew Zabriskie Collection. DeWitt did not know of it apparently. This variety is known struck on planchets with integral loops and without; this is the latter. The surfaces are lustrous, with some dusky toning in the fields and a bit of old spotty toning in protected areas. This is not only a rare piece of Washingtoniana, one that survives in tiny numbers despite the large collector market for Washington pieces in that era, but also a prime Civil War-related medalet with Unionist sentiments. Highly elusive and historic...Hold

Extremely Rare 1785 22nd Regiment Medal, Given to Revolutionary War Veterans

(1785) Medal of Merit for the 22nd Regiment of Foot. Copper, 38 mm. Tancred, p. 325; Eimer (The Pingo Family and Medal Making in 18th Century Britain) 65. Fine. By Lewis Pingo. A little known and underappreciated medal, awarded to British soldiers of the Revolutionary War by Lieutenant-Colonel William Crosbie of the unit. Copper strikings, like this one, were awarded for seven years good conduct beginning in 1785. The awards petered out by the end of century, and the lion's share of these were probably distributed in the late 1780s. The 22nd, or Cheshire, Regiment served from Bunker Hill to Yorktown, with a resume that reads like a hit-parade: Boston, Long Island and the occupation of New York, the Philadelphia Campaign, Monmouth, the Battle of Newport, Yorktown, and the evacuation of New York. Assuming perfect behavior (quite a stretch among 18th century infantrymen), those who received this medal at its introduction would have seen a minimum of six years service in the American theatre. This piece was obviously proudly displayed for years, becoming well worn in the process and developing a fine chocolate brown patina. The central reverse, against the wearer, is more worn that the obverse, which depicts Neptune crowning a warrior. The exergual legend reads ORDER OF MERIT ESTAB. MDCCLXXXV, while the reverse reads REWARD FOR MILITARY VIRTVE FROM LT COL CROSBIE / XXII OR CHESHIRE REGIMENT. This piece has been mounted with a Waterloo-era replacement hanger, suggesting that the piece had been worn for decades when its original mount finally gave way. Eimer calls copper strikings "very rare," the same level of rarity accorded to gold ("British Museum") and silver-gilt ("location unknown"). The history of this medal is special. The men of this regiment, including Lt. Col. Crosbie, left New York in November 1783. A year and a half later, Crosbie was pinning medals like this on the chest of his men, who had survived the entire duration of the American Revolution intact. Three decades later, this piece, worn to Fine, was still pinned to a soldier's chest and required a replacement mount.

Were this a decoration given to an American solider (a la Society of Cincinnati eagle), it would probably be a five-figure property. Were it listed in Betts, it would be a classic -- this medal is basically the 22nd Regiment's version of the Germantown Medal (Betts-556), a medal for the 40th Regiment that was instituted in 1786, the year after this piece. Alas, it is rarer than the Germantown Medal, and Betts missed it. The numismatic material of the British military during this era is understudied and undercollected. This medal is sufficiently rare that I may not have another one for a period of several years...Hold

(ca. 1860) Penn's Treaty medalet. Robert Lovett's Historical Series No. 1. Brass, 31 mm. Choice Mint State. Reeded edge. Highly detailed obverse is rich golden brass with a somewhat matte appearance, reverse is bright, reflective, and lustrous. Only minor handling and a couple tiny flyspecks, a choice example. A popular little medalet struck for collectors in the salad days of American coin collecting. This type was listed in Snowden's 1861 work on Washington medals (under a miscellaneous section), so one was in the Mint Cabinet by then. Nice ones are outnumbered by spotty or ugly ones today...$225

1853 Franklin Pierce Indian Peace medal. Julian IP-32. Bronze, 76 mm. Mint State. Rich deep mahogany patina, the classic shade most desired from this era, graces both sides. Some minor smudges and evidence of handling, only a couple small contact points, perfect rims and outstanding in-hand appeal. A handsome 19th century striking of this large and impressive medal...$950

1875 Central New York Poultry Association medal. Julian AM-60. Silver, 30 mm. Extremely Fine. Inscribed to C.H. Warren for Derby Game Fowls, 1875. Beautifully toned with light blue at the peripheries framing violet and golden gray shades, with bright lustre remaining despite some friction at the central reverse. Scattered nicks and lines present, the handling is light overall and commensurate with the few other specimens known. The 1986 Hartzog US Mint medal price guide, with rarity information from Carl Carlson and some other pretty smart people, lists this as Rarity-9 with a value of $150 (in 1986), illustrating another 1875 piece in similar grade. There are a couple others known, but not many; one of them is an 1875 issue in the ANS. The Central New York Poultry Association medal is attributed to George H. Lovett on the US Mint website, citing Francis Pessolano-Filos as a reference. The Utica-based organization appears short-lived, which is a shame because the medal is a treat, with various types of fowl milling around with a fisherman on a bucolic lake behind them -- how many renditions of fishermen are there on US Mint medals?...Hold

High Grade Baker-339, Julian AM-27

1858 Lancaster County Agricultural Society medal. Baker-339, Julian AM-27. Bronze, 45 mm. Mint State. A superb example of this nice Washington portrait medal, with bits of mint red blended with pale blue, violet, and pastel green over lustrous, reflective chocolate brown surfaces. This piece shows very fine guide lines and script engraving on the reverse, as if this was partially engraved and then set aside because of a misspelling. I can make out "Dr." at the beginning of the name (which appears long and easy to misspell), but can't quite render the rest of it -- I bet someone with patience and a good light (or camera) could figure it out readily. There are some hairlines in the area, probably dating to the time the engraving was accomplished. This medal is pretty scarce, and most survivors are well handled. The handsome portrait of Washington by William H. Key makes this a standout among the US Mint Agricultural medals...$675

An Unlisted Washington Mule by G.H. Lovett

(ca. 1860) Washington's Headquarters at Valley Forge / Washington's Headquarters at Tappan medal. Baker 175/178. Copper, 32 mm. Choice Mint State. Reeded edge. While both of these dies are listed in Baker, this muling is not. Choice lustrous light brown surfaces with some hints of mint red around peripheral legends. A scarce G.H Lovett striking in lovely condition, showcasing where Washington spent the winter of 1777-78 (Valley Forge) and a few weeks in 1780 and 1783 (Tappan). Even the normal strikings of Baker-175 and Baker-178 are significantly scarcer than the pieces in "Lovett's Series," Baker-184 to 194, and this muling is rarer still...Hold

(ca. 1861-5) Washington Oath of Allegiance / Wreath Reverse medal. Baker-279A, Julian CM-3. Silvered bronze, 31 mm. About Uncirculated. A rare US Mint Washington medal, called Rarity-8 by Rulau in silver and bronze but not even listed in silvered bronze. Julian notes that this medal, apparently produced as a semi-generic award medal by the Mint, is hard to track in Mint records, but suggests it was not struck after 1865; the Mint's main customer appears to have been the Philadelphia Rifle Club. This one shows light silver toning on the left side of the reverse, dark blue and gray on the right side, with good lustre throughout. The reverse is a more melodious lightly toned silver gray that deepens at the peripheries. Some minor marks are present, batch of hairlines in the left obverse field, some microscopic mint-made pitting that is the best clue that this piece is silvered bronze, not just silver. Very elusive, rarer than the typical Oath of Allegiance piece and perhaps unlisted in this format. A find for Washingtoniana specialists...$575

(ca. 1862) Washington Birth/Death medalet. Baker-155, Julian PR-26. Silver, 19 mm. Choice About Uncirculated. A lovely little medalet, with an obverse die by Anthony C. Paquet, struck at the height of the Washingtoniana craze. Highly reflective fields show navy blue toning and golden highlights, lighter in tone and more lustrous on reverse than obverse. A hint of friction is noted on the highpoint of Washington's hair. The wreath on the reverse was put to use again in 1942 on pattern cents, Judd-2051 to 2069. Very attractive, a classic and diminutive US Mint issued medal...Hold

1856 American Juvenile Temperance Society medal. Bronze, 32 mm. Mint State. A scarce and attractive mid-19th century Temperance medal, with attractive and wholesome toning on reflective chocolate brown surfaces,. Struck on a thick planchet from well executed dies. Except for a very minor little abrasion on the F of FOR and P of PURPOSES on the obverse, this piece is positively choice. The AJTS was founded by Theodore Cuyler, a Presbyterian minister who was also known for virulently opposing women's suffrage. The declaration on the reverse noted that members "agree to abstain from all intoxicating liquors except for medicinal purposes and religious ordinances," which (in the era of patent medicines that were basically just flavored rum) meant there wasn't much abstaining involved at all. This medal comes in bronze, as here, and white metal, which appears to be the more common composition. A handsome addition to a Temperance collection...$375

1864 Soldier's Fair medalet by J.A. Bolen. Baker-365, Musante JAB-16. Tin, 28 mm. About Uncirculated. From the Dave Bowers collection, earlier from the collections of Charles Litman and Donald Miller, whose collection included the early 1960s addition of the George Hetrich collection, formed in the teens and 20s. The fields are fully lustrous and highly reflective, as struck, though the highest points of relief are a bit softly struck. The reverse shows some fairly unobtrusive vertical striations in the metal of the planchet. Some minor handling is seen in the fields, but the overall preservation is very nice, especially considering the softness and instability of tin. Bolen struck 350 of these during the 1864 Soldier's Fair in Springfield, Massachusetts, held that December to raise money for soldiers and veterans. Popular among Bolen collectors, Washingtoniana enthusiasts, and specialists in Civil War issues, few examples of this production boast as fine a provenance as this one...Sold

1893 Springfield (MA) Masonic Building medal by J.A. Bolen. Aluminum, 29 mm. Musante JAB-41. MS-62 PL (NGC). Brilliant lustrous surfaces of untoned aluminum show bright reflectivity and abundant cartwheel. Some light hairlines and some minor clouding at central reverse, but nicer than an MS-62 grade might suggest. The last of Bolen's regular works, struck to mark the cornerstone laying of Springfield's still-standing Masonic temple. 465 were struck in aluminum, perhaps the largest mintage of any Bolen work. It's an attractive offering from one of America's most famous non-Mint engravers...$295

1916 Westminster Kennel Club medal. Sterling silver, 50 mm. Mint State. Marked D+C (Dieges and Clust?) and STERLING. Engraved on reverse to Sir Roger, 1916. A beautiful Beaux Arts medal, struck for the most famous dog show in the world. As it turns out, this was awarded to a pretty famous dog named Sir Roger de Coverly, a picture-perfect English Setter whose elegant visage even made it to the New York Times after his 1916 show win. This piece looks just as nice today as when he won it, with light gray surfaces showing just a faint golden tone. A single little rim scratch is noted above 9:00 on the reverse. A fine art medal with great subject matter...$325

1877 San Francisco Mechanics Industrial Exhibition award medal. Bronze, 76 mm. Signed Demarest, New York, design and dies by Mayers and Stott of San Francisco. Choice About Uncirculated. Impressive detail covers the broad canvas of the obverse, featuring a fruit-and-vine decorated Liberty crowning a skilled workingman (a mechanic, in the 19th century sense of the word). He clutches a hammer while mining tools and a nugget-filled pan lay dismissed in the foreground, symbolizing the growth and expansion of California's economy 25 years after the height of the Gold Rush. Factories. a locomotive, ships, and a globe are present behind him, while Liberty is surrounded by the seal of the city of San Francisco, fruits and grains, an anvil, and a cog wheel. The reverse is simple, with a standard award inscription and 1877 engraved below. The patina is a beautiful milk chocolate brown, naturally mottled in the obverse field. A nick is noted at central reverse, minor spot along the inside of the two-step rim below C of CALIFORNIA. The obverse relief looks rounded, from strike instead of wear. This is a hefty, substantial medal, and it is a miracle it survives without damage. A silver example was recently offered at $4500, and another bronze example sold for $690 in a Smythe sale in 2007. Just 300 were struck, and the official guide for the Exhibition notes "the medal itself is a most creditable work, both artistic and mechanical, and reflects great credit on its maker, who has met with many difficulties in bringing his work to its final perfection, owing to the lack of proper appliances for tempering and a press for striking the same." The same work identified the Montgomery Street jewelers firm of Mayers and Stott as the winners of the contract to design and engrave the medal, making this a homegrown production. Its design will attract anyone who loves good medallic art, but this piece's California context makes it even more interesting...$675

Unique and Documented 1895 Gold Lifesaving Medal Awarded to an Officer of the White Star Liner Teutonic

1895 Life Saving Benevolent Association of New York medal. Gold, 51 mm. 798.8 grains, 51.76 grams. Choice Mint State. A magnificent and singularly historic medal, struck in fine gold (probably coin gold, though unmarked) by Tiffany and Company from dies by George H. Lovett. This example was awarded to Lieutenant J.H. Orton of the Royal Naval Reserve for actions performed while serving as an officer aboard the White Star Liner Teutonic, one of the sister ships of the famed Titanic.

The S.S. Teutonic encountered the schooner Josie Reeves off Fire Island, on the south shore of Long Island, New York in a driving blizzard in February 1895. The Josie Reeves, with 10 men aboard, got caught in icy waters, 50 mile per hour winds, and subzero temperatures while fishing cod, fearful that the ice would crush their ship "like an eggshell," according to one of the survivors. The mighty S.S. Teutonic came to the rescue, finding the men clutching the wreckage of their vessel after a ten hour ordeal. The Teutonic dropped a lifeboat in the water, and those aboard the lifeboat became frostbitten almost instantly. The recipient of this medal commanded that lifeboat; the men under his command received similar silver medals.

The story was recounted in the New York Times and the New York Herald, for whom Lt. Orton (sometimes spelled Ortin or Arten) worked as a meteorologist. Even the story of Orton receiving this medal made the papers, saying "To him [the captain of the Teutonic presented a gold medal, suitably inscribed, and in a few words explained that the Royal Naval Reserve, of which he was a member, was justly proud of the noble showing. ... Their medals were the gift of the Life-saving Benevolent Association, of this city." Lt. Orton clearly cherished this medal, as aside from faint hairlines, this medal is beautiful and mark-free. These large, soft gold medals typically appear well handled, even polished, but this piece has survived with rich color, strong reflectivity, and near-cameo contrast intact. Any of these medals are interesting and desirable; gold examples are particularly rare. Ones this well documented are especially sought after, and the fact that its recipient was an officer aboard a White Star Liner adds another layer of desirability...$5450

Very Rare Original Washington Before Boston Medal

1776 (i.e. 1789) Washington Before Boston medal. Bronze, 68 mm. Betts-543, Julian MI-1, Baker-47B. About Uncirculated, fire damaged. An underrated early American rarity, a classic type from the famed Comitia Americana series. The Washington Before Boston medal was the very first medal ever awarded by Congress, and strikings from the original dies are prized. The reverse broke early, forcing an early use of copy dies and making originals such as this one very rare. This example was once choice, as vestiges of glossy smooth chocolate brown surfaces peek forth here and there, and sharp detail persists on both sides. This medal was in a fire at some point, probably with the rest of a cabinet of medals, as pits surrounded by molten brass (gold?) and silver are seen here and there. There is some roughness in areas, but no serious scale, and despite the pitting and discoloration this piece exhibits an unusual eye appeal. The nearly horizontal wave in the reverse die that designates it as an original is easily seen. A single little rim nick is visible over G of FUGATIS. While I have no pedigree information on this piece, it struck me that it could be from the Garrett Collection. While the coins were being displayed at Princeton, the Garrett Collection of medals were caught in the Baltimore Fire of 1904. A few of the burned pieces made it to ANS, but their damage and scale really don't resemble this in the least. This medal does not appear to be curated in anyway, so I think it looks now about how it did after whatever fire it were in. I wish I knew more. The Washington Before Boston is probably ten times rarer than a Libertas Americana medal, but despite that rarity (maybe 40 known in bronze?) it has not caught on as widely. It is a key inclusion in a set of Comitia Americana medals. Pretty ones have gotten expensive (and should probably be more so). A nice EF is probably worth $8000-10000 at this point, and a real Unc would be solidly five figures. This piece is admittedly not for everyone, but it offers a chance to own a genuine rarity with great detail and a good story...Sold

The Only French Victory Medal of the French and Indian War

1758 Oswego Captured medal. Betts-415. Silver, 31 mm. Choice Extremely Fine. Reeded edge. One of the most famous Betts medals of its era, the only French medal struck to mark action of the French and Indian War. Struck in silver and reeded like a coin, top grade examples of this medal are rare and most show handling. This example has light wear on the high points, but the color is a charming antique blend of deep olive gray, darker at obverse periphery, with rich golden highlights around reverse legends. Choice for the grade with ideal old color. The recently sold Adams specimen, once in the LaRiviere Collection, was a bit sharper but had a substantial scrape in the left obverse field. It brought $4,025. Ford gathered three of them, two amidst the pile acquired from the Wayte Raymond Estate, another purchased in 1962 that had earlier been in the George Bauer Collection. The dramatic appearance of this three-piece hoard -- something like the total number sold at public auction in the previous two decades -- made this type seem more common than it is. Ford's third, a beautiful piece, brought $3,162. This is a classic rarity in the series, a souvenir that marked the Marquis de Montcalm's successful campaign in upstate New York...Sold

Rare 1863 Stonewall Jackson Medal, Authorized by the Confederacy

1863 Lt. Gen T.J. "Stonewall" Jackson medal. Bronzed white metal, 50 mm. Mint State. Lightly lacquered, perhaps at or near the time of issue to preserve the fragile bronzing. Lustrous ruddy surfaces retain the sheen of the natural white metal beneath. Though I've seen a fair handful of these Jackson medals, this is the only bronzed one I've ever seen or heard of. That it was included by F.C.C. Boyd in his cabinet suggests its level of interest. This medal was engraved by Armand Caque at the Paris Mint on the official authorization of the Confederate government. Most of the survivors come from a hoard discovered in Savannah in 1894, sold thereafter for $1 to benefit the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Confederate Veterans of America. This piece, with its unusual finish, may well come from a different source. It comes with the original Ford Collection tag from 2005...Hold

1932 Benjamin Franklin Memorial medal / Architectural School Prize medal. Bronze, 75 mm. By John R. Sinnock, US Mint. Choice About Uncirculated. Engraved on the reverse "ALUMNI MEDAL FOR EFFICIENCY IN D SKETCH PROBLEMS / JOHN WALTER GROSS." Matte golden modern US Mint patina, used with varying delicacy throughout the 20th century. John Walter Gross took his architecture degrees from the University of Pennsylvania in 1947 and 1948, allowing us to date this medal, struck about a mile off campus at the Philadelphia Mint. I have asked architect friends what a "D sketch problem" is, but no one seems able to give me a straight answer: feel free to email me if you know. Aside from the interest in this being a school prize medal, this Sinnock medal was the direct inspiration for his Franklin half of 1948. One wonders if Gross noticed the similarity when he got his first new half dollar of the year?...$325

1857 New York Horticultural Society medal. Silver, 41 mm. Dies by Charles Cushing Wright. Choice Extremely Fine. Awarded to J.M. Rose for "the second best collection of vegetables" on September 29, 1857, three weeks after the sinking of the S.S. Central America. Glossy dark gray fields contrast with lighter devices, slightly lighter at central reverse around engraving. Beautifully engraved, nicely preserved and hiding hints of reflectivity despite the dark patina. Struck by Wright and Bale in New York with a simple but elegant design by the great C.C. Wright. A scarce horticultural medal from a popularly collected location...Sold

1865 Abraham Lincoln Assassinated medal. Julian PR-36. Silver, 19 mm. Choice Mint State. Apparently the scarcest of the three dime-sized medalets struck by the US Mint in the late 1860s to mark Lincoln's assassination. This variety is dated by Julian to April 25, 1865, just 11 days after he fell, when 100 pieces were struck. The next entry in the Mint records, of 300 pieces struck in September and November, "were either all or in part the broken column pieces," Julian PR-37. The second Broken Column medalet, with a slightly different obverse by William Barber, was released beginning in 1869. This specimen has been ideally preserved since its production in the weeks -- at most months -- after Lincoln's death. Light blue-green toning is present on both sides, with abundant reflectivity shining forth from original, dusky surfaces. Some very minor evidence of handling is present, some light occasional hairlines, no nicks in the high wire rim (though there is a cud near 3:00 on the obverse). This is the sort of quality the services would probably call MS-63: very original and pleasing, not quite a gem, but certainly very nice. The obverse is signed by the famous Anthony Paquet, and it is only known muled to this reverse and one with a bust of Washington on it. A scarce and historical medalet...Hold

1908 Chicago Numismatic Society medal. Copper, 35 mm. Red Uncirculated. Dies by J. Henri Ripstra. Full blazing red, just ever so lightly mellowed, over lustrous and reflective surfaces. Some handling and minor hairlines, some "carbon" behind Indian's head, similar black spot at base of reverse in denticles. Struck during the presidency of Virgil Brand, this medal was struck as a souvenir for members of the short-lived club. Just 18 attended the meeting, but the medal was "presented to those members who were not present, and further issues [in copper] are to be discontinued." Quite rare today, flashy and impressive, a fascinating piece with connections to Virgil Brand from the golden age of American numismatics...Hold

High Grade 1858 Brother Jonathan / Boy and Dog Medalet

1858 Brother Jonathan / Boy and Dog medalet. Miller NY495G. Tin, 32 mm. Choice Mint State. A beautiful, flashy, lustrous example of this very rare muling of dies by George H. Lovett. According to Rulau, this "rare muling [was] unpublished before the Lindesmith sale" of 2000. A tiny bit of pesting is visible inside 9:00 on the Boy and Dog reverse, obverse nearly flawless. This example is far nicer than the discovery specimen, plated in Rulau, which brought $488 in 2008. This John Bull - Brother Jonathan type celebrates the Atlantic Cable in visual, evocative fashion, and the playful Boy and Dog reverse is both scarce and popular. This example is an unusual prize...$795

Rare 1881 US Mint Dies John Eager Howard Medal

1781 John Eager Howard at Cowpens medal. Julian MI-9, Betts-595. Bronze, 45 mm. 1881 US Mint Reproduction dies. Choice Mint State. Rich even mahogany patina from the golden age of US Mint medalmaking. Well presented and atractive with just a few tiny nicks, including one under the field under E of PEDITUM and smaller ones near the rim. Carlson reports a total mintage from these dies of just 56 pieces, making this one of the rarest entries in the MI series. Indeed, despite its late date, this variety is rarer than either originals or Paris Mint restrikes from the original dies. Though unsigned, it is presumed that these dies would have been produced by Charles Barber, then chief engraver. Clearly there were enough Paris Mint restrikes floating around in the 1880s and 1890s to keep collectors sated, as the mintage of this US Mint striking was one of the smallest in the series. Missing from most collections of Comitia Americana medals, including the Boyd-Ford Collection...Hold

Unusual Benjamin Franklin Medal Bowl

(ca. 1870-90) Benjamin Franklin medal by Caque in electroplate bowl. Silver electroplate, 4" in diameter. Very Fine. Brilliant silver with hints of pinkish copper on the highpoints of the medal design. Silver electroplating was popular at the end of the 19th century, a cheap way to plate copper with silver but make it look like sterling. This piece has a few spots and minor discolorations, but a proper polishing (which is ok on a piece like this which was intended to be polished) would fix that. The 1818 medal incorporated is part of Durand's Series Numismatica, sporting the scarcer obverse by Caque rather than the slightly more common obverse by Rogat. While I've seen other electroplate hollowware that incorporated coins before, this is the first I've seen to include a medal or anything of exclusively American interest. This is probably of English manufacture; perhaps it was made around the swell of historical interest at the Centennial. It's pretty unusual and clearly scarce, and you can always actually keep candy in it. A neat item for Franklin fans...$325

1898 Philadelphia Schützenverein 50th Anniversary medal. Gilt silver, 29 mm. MS-64 (NGC). A gleaming, reflective medal that is gold to every appearance (though we trust NGC on the attribution, since a gold medal would have a much more significant heft to it). The devices stand out in bold detail, with an interesting obverse tableau of crossed rifles, an American and German flag, a target, a powder horn, the dates 1846-96, and a jaunty German hat. The scene is signed "F.X.Z.," who I have to assume is a Francis Xavier but I can't further identify him -- someone will. The reverse inscription celebrates 50 years since the forming of this Philadelphia shooting club, populated largely by German immigrants and their descendants. The fine prooflike gilt silver format is unusual. Scarce and interesting, a nice addition to a collection of schutzenthalers...$325

1859 Washington Masonic Non Nobis Solum medal. Bronze, 50 mm. Baker-289. Mint State. A rare and attractive entry among the mid-19th century Washington medals, listed as Rarity-7 in Rulau. One of the most desirable medals of its era, with dies by George H. Lovett and high production values that give this piece a strong strike and perfect bronzing. A minor spot is present at Washington's chin and the hair shows the most minor cabinet friction, otherwise this piece is pretty much flawless. This particular variety was struck with "serrate rims," Rulau's Baker-289A. This variety has records up to $1265 (January 2009 Stack's Americana sale). This one is...$875

Baker-Unlisted "Silvered" 1800 Hero of Freedom Medal

1800 Washington Hero of Freedom medal. Tinned ("silvered") bronze, 39 mm. Baker 79X, unlisted. Very Fine. While the Rulau-Fuld update of Baker listed silver, white metal (which I've never seen or heard of; I doubt it exists), fire-gilt bronze, and (from the Department of Redundancy Deparment) copper, bronze, and bronzed copper, it does not list silvered copper or bronze. This one was clearly "silvered" (really a tin wash) in the era. It has thinned from friction on the obverse highpoints and corroded (as tin usually does) here and there, particularly around the peripheries. This piece has clearly seen its share of handling, but its eye appeal is still decent and its rarity is just about as tough as it gets, as this has flown under the radar of some of the last century and a half's most savvy researchers. Ford had silver ( x 2), bronze, fire-gilt bronze, and copper, overstruck on a 1797 Cartwheel twopence. He did not have one of these...$795

Popular 1687 Silver Shoals / Recovery of Treasure Medal

1687 Silver Shoals / Recovery of Treasure medal. Betts-67. Silver, 55 mm. About Uncirculated. One of the most popular entries in the 17th century Betts series, a medal that ties a story of treasure lost and found on the high seas into the political fabric of witch-hunt era Massachusetts. This specimen shows light silver gray surfaces, still reflective and attractive, that have taken on light golden toning on the fields and denser multicolored toning gathered at the rims. Scattered hairlines are present, as usually seen, and the reverse rim shows some marks, including a bruise near 11:00 and a little nick just right of it. The detail and visual appeal are excellent on both sides. This medal was produced from silver recovered in 1687 from the site of the 1641 wreck of the Nuestra Señora de la Concepción. The recovery team was led by William Phips, a native of the modern state of Maine. Phips' venture paid off handsomely for he and his backers, as they found literally tons of silver. Phipps was knighted, and he was quickly placed into the political leadership of the Massachusetts Bay colony. He was named governor in 1692 during the notorious witch trials and led the province for a year until his death at the age of 42. This medal is avidly sought by collectors of treasure coins as perhaps the earliest relic medal from a known wreck (not to mention a famous one, after the Concepción was rediscovered and marketed beginning in 1978), and collectors of early Americana recognize the important place this episode holds in the history of New England. The last three specimens sold at Stack's, from September 2009 to January 2011, sold for $5.175, $4,025, and $5,750. This one will sell for...Hold

1904 Holland Society of New York medal, after Betts-603. Bronze, 45 mm. Choice Mint State. One of the prettiest examples of this popular medal that I've seen, with rose, gold, pastel green and orange highlights over reflective light brown surfaces. Produced by Bailey, Banks, and Biddle as the annual souvenir for the membership of the Holland Society of New York, this was the first in the three-piece series. The three medals all imitated 1782-dated medals commemorative of the Dutch-American relationship, patterned from a set of the original medals given to the Society in 1891. With beautiful execution and a design faithful to the originals, the Holland Society set is a fun one to reassamble. Find two more as pretty as this one and it would make a stellar exhibit...Sold

Beautiful Prooflike 1813 Lt. William Burrows Medal

1813 Lt. William Burrows / Enterprise vs Boxer medal. Julian NA-7. Bronze, 65mm. Choice Mint State. A really beautiful example of this distinctive War of 1812 medal, the only one in the series that does not depict the original recipient. The fields show a delicate range of gold, violet, and blue tones, especially vibrant on the reverse, over an overall light brown surface. Burrows comes one of two ways: prooflike like this, or heavily bronzed. Some of those bronzed pieces have a heavily buckled obverse die, while the prooflike ones like this generally show only light buckling on the left side of the obverse. There is some light "die rust," actually spalling that is known on most (all?) known examples. A few little flyspeck spots are present, but the color and surfaces are otherwise ideal. Burrows was just a lieutenant, and no portrait of him had been taken before his death in battle at 28, which explains why a funeral urn and trophies is displayed on the obverse where a portrait would have gone. Finding high grade examples of this memorable inclusion in the Julian Naval series is challenging, and this is the nicest one I've handled in a few years...$1275

Rare Bronze Striking of the Medium Sized Thomas Jefferson Indian Peace Medal

1801 Thomas Jefferson Indian Peace medal. Julian IP-3. Bronze, 76 mm. 1886 US Mint copy dies. Choice Extremely Fine. A rare late 19th century striking of the most famous of all American Indian Peace medals. Glossy and even dark chocolate brown on the obverse, lighter brown on the reverse. A small area of lighter color is present at SON of JEFFERSON, light rim bruise at 1:00 on reverse, well preserved aside from light cabinet friction. The original reverse die for the middle size Jefferson medal was put into heavy restriking use in 1861 and developed a crack in its northeast quadrant sometime later. That die showed pointed tops to the As, while this die has more flat topped As. The obverse was also apparently replaced about the same time. Any bronze Jefferson medal is scarce and in demand -- particularly considering the heights that silver examples have reached. The last time an example from these dies was offered at public auction was 2008 and Ford owned just one. I have lots of people ask me about Jefferson Indian Peace medals: here's your chance...Sold

(ca. 1815) Double Hemisphere Map medal. Tin, 74 mm. Rulau ( Discovering America) E-9, Eimer 141/1139a. Dies by Thomas Halliday. Extremely Fine. Even dark gray, completely patinated and oxidized, toned down from original brightness. Some very minor crumbling at edges, no raised corrosion presence. The dies accurately depict both the Eastern and Western hemispheres. American places named include the United States, Washington, New Mexico, California, Cape Mendocino, the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii), and Cook's River (Prince William Sound, Alaska). This medal exists in two sizes (this is the larger one) and at least two sets of dies. While authorship by Halliday, then working in Edward Thomason's shop, is conjectural, this certainly fits within his oeuvre. Nice Mint State examples of this medal tend to bring well over a grand and are snapped up upon offering. This medallic map is a nice association piece to go with any collection of early 19th century numismatic items...$875

1890 Pittsburgh German Catholic Day medal. Bronze, 40 mm. Mint State. Nice chocolate brown with reflective bronzed surfaces. Some minor marks, good overall eye appeal. The obverse depicts St. Boniface, the Apostle of the Germans, while the reverse shows an inscription within a wreath. A fascinating relic from the heyday of Pittsburgh, when its ethnic stew contributed to the city's Gilded Age success. If this was listed in the So-Called dollar book, it would be worth a small fortune...$185

1783 Treaty of Paris medal. Betts-610. Tin with copper scavenger, 42 mm. About Uncirculated. Lively flash remains on silvery gray surfaces, more like the photograph of the obverse than the too-gold picture of the reverse. The color of the fields has deepened and mellowed a bit, but no tin pest or discoloration is present, mostly thanks to the copper plug which served to attract oxidation so the reactive tin wouldn't. On this piece, the scavenger is in the upper field; usually it is near the exergual line. The rim is a bit crude at 1:00, as made, but the piece is fairly problem free. A few old marks are noted beneath HOSTES on the obverse. This piece shows the standing goddess of Liberty, holding her Liberty cap and pole with an American shield of 13 bars at the base, greeting the goddess of Peace, who has the seals of the European combatants at her feet. The reverse shows an evocative allegory of peace conquering war. This is an historic medal, issued at the time the United States made peace with Britain, displaying devices that depict that agreement in classic fashion...$925

Exceptional James Buchanan Indian Peace Medal in Bronze
Rare Muling with Fillmore/Pierce Reverse

1857 James Buchanan Indian Peace medal. Bronze, 76 mm. Julian IP-36. Choice Mint State. Lightly bronzed with good reflectivity on golden bronze surfaces. Free of spots, only a few minor marks. Struck from an advanced state of the obverse die, with a short crack and bulge at E of STATES and patches of die rust below B of BUCHANAN and TA of STATES. While so-called "die rust" is usually spalling, a chipping process instead of an oxidation process, this really is rust. Julian points out that the first bronze Buchanans were struck from this reverse, as the baseball-themed reverse of the silver medals did not arrive at the Mint until 1862. This piece, it appears, represents a remarriage of the dies after the obverse rusted and broke. Mike Hodder pointed out the rarity of this die combination in the Ford sale and mentioned that Carl Carlson had seen only nine appearanced. This example sold for $1725 in the January 2011 Stack's Americana sale, and others have also traditionally brought strong prices since the Ford example brought $1610 in 2005. The Indian Peace medal series remains one of the most avidly collected, and bronze sets make for a fascinating varieties of Presidential portraits. Scarce mules like this enliven the series and typically grace the finest collections...$1295

1878 Valley Forge Centennial medal. Baker-449A, Julian CM-48, HK-137. Bronze, 41 mm. Choice Mint State. Choice medium brown with lively colorful highlights on the reflective inner fields. A beautifully preserved example of this popular US Mint medal and so-called dollar. A tiny spot is present under N of WASHINGTON, another on the first 8 of 1878. Just 427 specimens were struck, many apparently handled, as gems are rare today. William Barber became the latest Mint engraver to have a try at the Houdon bust of Washington, after earlier efforts by Longacre and Paquet. The Valley Forge Centennial Association successfully purchased Washington's Headquarters at Valley Forge for preservation; today it is the most notable original structure overseen by the National Park Service at the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment. This pet project of Henry Linderman is the only US Mint medal struck to mark this most famous of Washington's camps...$575

A Superb Bronze Striking of the Congressional Gold Medal Given Dr. Frederick Rose
Just 100 Struck

1858 Dr. Frederick Rose / USS Susquehanna Yellow Fever medal. Bronze, 76 mm. Julian PE-29. Choice Mint State. A beautifully bronzed specimen, with rich color and deep reflectivity. The surfaces show lively hints of pale olive-blue and gold toning, and a single minor spot is noted behind Buchanan's head. A small nick atop the reverse is the only contact point. The obverse was earlier used on the Japanese Embassy medal; the reverse features Aesculapius with an inscription thanking Dr. Frederick Rose for his "kindness and humanity." Both sides were accomplished by Anthony C. Paquet and represent two of the highlights of his US Mint career. This was the first Congressional Gold Medal ever given to a recipient outside the US military, in this case awarded to a Royal Navy surgeon who boarded the fever-racked USS Susquehanna at Port Royal, Jamaica and cared for its crew until the ship's arrival in New York. The ship USS Susquehanna, a sidewheel steamer much like the SS Central America was one of two steamers that accompanied Commodore Matthew C. Perry to Kurihama during his first visit to Japan. It later served in the Civil War. This medal is offered far less frequently than most of the large format bronze US Mint medals of the era, with just a couple appearing in the last five years...Hold

1885 Boston Music Hall award medal to Professor John A. Preston. Silver, 30 mm plus small loop. Extremely Fine. Apparently on a silver blank, nicely engraved "Boston Music Hall / Presented to / Prof. J. A. Preston / Harmonica Soloist / Feb. 7th 1885." Mottled dark gray toning, darkest at lower obverse. A little worn, but not badly mishandled, just left alone to tarnish a bit. John A. Preston was a well-respected organist and "teacher of the piano-forte" who gave lessons at 149 Tremont Street, across the street from Boston Common. He was a frequent performer at the Boston Music Hall, which first hosted a new orchestra called the Boston Pops, an offshoot of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, just four months later. A better music historian than me can tell me if his harmonica performance was what we call a harmonica, then making significant inroads into American popular music, or a kind of pipe organ called a harmonica, since keyed instruments were his apparent forte. This is a cool relic of the early history of the Boston Pops and its mother orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra...$275

1799 (i.e. 1800) Washington memorial medal by Westwood. Baker-80s. Bronze, 41 mm. Very Fine. Rich glossy chocolate brown with some rim bruises and assorted light marks. Good looking despite being knocked around a bit, probably carried by a devotee of Washington in the years after his death. A little area of dark inactive verdigris is present behind Washington's head. While these do exist in Mint State, this offers a lot of history for...$450

1781 William Washington at Cowpens Comitia Americana medal. Betts-594, Julian MI-8. Bronze, 46 mm.Choice Mint State. Pointing Hand and CUIVRE on edge, struck at the Paris Mint between 1845 and 1860. Lustrous, reflective chocolate brown with beautiful visual appeal. Some minor marks, reverse die broken at rim at 11:00. Easier to find than the originals, but struck from the same dies and looking pretty much identical but for the edge and subtly more advanced die state...$950

Historic John Eager Howard Comitia Americana Original

1781 John Eager Howard at Cowpens Comitia Americana medal. Betts-595, Julian MI-5. Bronze, 46 mm. Choice About Uncirculated. Plain edge, original dies. An early strike, with glossy lustrous chocolate brown surfaces and just a hint of friction. A few minor marks are present, subtle vestiges of a very early (perhaps 18th century) ink numeral once left in the left obverse field (it looks like 1969 in an 18th century European script). Comitia Americana medals have become enormously popular, and originals like this one lead the demand. Howard served heroically in several battles of the American Revolution and later served as a senator from Maryland. Cowpens, in the wilderness of upcountry South Carolina, spawned three medals: this one, a similar issue for Lt. William Washington, and a rare Dupre-designed medal for General Daniel Morgan. While no original Comitia Americana medal can be considered common, the Howard and Washington pieces represent the easiest ones to acquire as Paris Mint originals. This example, once sold in the Stack's Minot Collection sale of 2008, is better preserved than average pieces...Hold

Popular 1786 Ben Franklin Birthday Medal by Dupre, Betts-620

1786 Benjamin Franklin Born Boston medal. Betts-620. Bronze, 46 mm. Mint State. Plain edge, original pre-1842 striking. I described this piece recently for the Stack's ANA sale as "Chocolate brown with attractive glossy surfaces. Very nicely preserved, minor rim bruise near 1:00 on the obverse, edge scratched, invisible from obverse or reverse. Minor spot above VI of the date MDCCVI. This medal was produced by Augustin Dupre in Paris to mark Franklin's 80th birthday. It was apparently quite popular, and production numbers must have been fairly robust, as it is seen with some frequency today. The bust, taken from Houdon, is perhaps the best visage of Franklin on a coin or medal, with apologies to John Sinnock. This early striking would be a fine punctuation at the end of a Betts medal collection." This medal is often seen as restrike, particularly from the 1845-60 era. Originals are pretty scarce, and I thought this one sold pretty cheap in the sale. A less appealing example brought $1725 in 2009 at Stack's and I tend to get about that price for nice originals. This one seems like a very fair deal at...$1550

1904 Newark (NJ) Camera Club medal. Bronze, 44 mm. Mint State. Awarded to H.J. Young for Lantern Slides. Lightly patinated at the time of production, with a ruddy-rose copper complexion. Some minor flecks on the reverse, but visually pleasing. Early photography is avidly collected, and this unusual piece actually depicts a camera on the obverse. Apparently, the Newark club awarded gold for first place and silver for second, in addition to bronzes for third. I've never heard of a gold or silver one, and at the rate of just one prize per year, these bronzes don't grow on trees either...$225

1887 Centennial of the Constitution medal. Bronze, 51 mm. Choice Mint State. Dies signed by P.L. Krider of Philadelphia, though the style and bronzing is suggestive of the Philadelphia Mint. Choice mahogany copper with faint gold and slate blue highlights. Beautifully toned and carefully handled, a very high quality specimen. Two numismatically significant characters are name-checked on the reverse: Congressman John Kasson, as President, the primary father of the $4 Stella, and A. Loudon Snowden, as Marshall of the Civic and Industrial Department, the former Superintendent of the Mint. A scarce and appealing piece, one whose quality will satisfy the picky...$495

1741 Admiral Vernon at Cartagena medal. Pinchbeck, 37 mm. Betts-334, McCormick Goodhart-214, Adams-Chao CAv 6-G. Choice Extremely Fine. An especially nice example of this Vernon medal, one of the more commonly encountered among the Cartagena varieties. Pleasing deep olive brown with golden color still surrounding devices and legends. The Cartagena expedition is especially important to American history, as this action represented the first time American troops went overseas into battle. It was at Cartagena that a young Virginian named Lawrence Washington first encountered the man for whom he would name his home on the Potomac. Lovely color, positively problem free, an ideal type piece from this expedition which altered the course of American history...$975

(ca. 1880) Burlington County (NJ) Agricultural Society medal. Bronze, 45 mm. Choice About Uncirculated. Handsome bronzed medium brown surfaces are highly glossy on both sides and show just the barest evidence of handling. A couple very tiny rim pushes are present here or there, none serious. Awarded to Hannah Cutler for "Hair Brush Drawing," which I'm imagining is an art form and not an odd quickdraw competition for grooming items. A scarce medal from south Jersey, depicting the state seal on the obverse, the icon from which the design for New Jersey coppers was drawn. Attractive and appealing...$225

1892 Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics Association medal. Bronze, 51 mm. Julian AM-41. Choice Mint State. Rich glossy bronzed patina is nicely preserved and unspotted, with just some light handling marks in the reverse fields. The attractive obverse by F.N. Mitchell shows an interesting assortment of industrial iconography, including a railroad in the background. A handsome specimen of this classic American industrial medal...Hold

Rare 1861 Jefferson Davis "Death to Traitors" Medalet

1861 Jefferson Davis / Death To Traitors medal. Dewitt-C-1861-13. Brass, 24 mm. Very Fine, holed. Pale golden bronze with some deeper toning and spotting. Crudely holed at 12:00 on the obverse to be worn and displayed in the era, as testified by the level of wear. A scarce and popular medalet from the dawn of the Civil War, showing President Jefferson Davis hanging on the obverse, a scene that wins some sort of numismatic prize for lack of subtlety. In Mint State, this medalet has auction records close to $3000. While those examples are attractive, placed in a cabinet and saved by a savvy contemporary collector, a specimen like this must hide an interesting story of a vociferous Unionist, perhaps a soldier, who was so moved by this medalet that he wore it for what must have been most of the conflict...Sold

Fine Late 19th Century Electrotype Gates at Saratoga Comitia Americana Medal

(ca. 1860-1890) Electrotype copy of the 1777 Horatio Gates at Saratoga Comitia Americana medal. As Betts-557. Copper shells over lead, joined at rim, 55 mm. Mint State, essentially as issued. Nice rich chocolate brown with some dusky lustrous highlights in the fields. No lead shows, and no marks expose the inherent softness of the fields. The seam is obvious on the rim, but the medal's sharpness reveals that it was made by a master: the fields do not show the waviness of a poorly made electrotype, and the details are as sharp as on an original. The US Mint made electrotypes in this era, and it is possible a piece like this could have been manufactured at Philadelphia when die struck specimens were not available; of course, this could have been made by a superb private manufacturer as well. Original Comitia Americana medals are highly sought after, and despite the fact that Gates is one of the more "common" issues, it is rarely met with in the marketplace. The gold one is permanently off the market, but viewable at the New-York Historical Society. This fine copy was made when the earliest Gates strikings were perhaps a century old; most were just a few dozen. It would make as fine a display item in a cabinet today as it did when made...$675

1631 Battle at the Bay of All Saints medal/jeton. Betts-32. Copper, 30 mm. Choice Very Fine. Superb, smooth, glossy light brown surfaces boast magnificent eye appeal. An unusual but natural splash of darker color near Phillip IV's lips is toning, nothing more. The detail is excellent and no marks are seen. Slightly less sharp than the Ford piece, which most recently brought $736 in a 2008 Coin Galleries sale, but smoother and boasting nicer surfaces. This piece commemorates the joint Spanish/Portuguese defeat of Dutch naval forces off Bahia, Brazil, known to historians as the Battle of Albrolhos. This battle was part of the larger American conflict between the Dutch and Spanish, commemorated by Betts 19 through 33, including the popular (and very expensive) Piet Heyn series. This little jeton is known only in copper and is rarely offered...$525

Choice Grade 1739 Admiral Vernon Medal, ex. Requa

1739 Admiral Vernon medal. Betts-198, Adams PBv 42-RR, McCormick-Goodhart 72. Pinchbeck, 37 mm. Choice Extremely Fine or better. A beautiful example of this well-designed Vernon at Portobello medal, from the Glode Requa collection, sold in Stack's Norweb Collection sale of November 2006. Some of the golden original color of the brassy pinchbeck remains around devices, otherwise glossy and smooth dark brown. Some minor marks or dirt, little patch under GLORY, face softly struck. Technically, this is probably AU, and this kind of nice color and surface quality is unusual on a Vernon medal. Vernon's expeditions were the first foreign adventures to ever use American troops, notably including Lawrence Washington, who named the home typically associated with his little brother George for his commanding officer, Admiral Edward Vernon. Adams calls this variety Rarity-5...$800

Original 1832 Washington Centennial Medal

1832 Washington Birth Centennial medal. Baker-160A. Tin, 32 mm. Fine, holed for suspension. Dark gray with finely pitted surfaces. Not beautiful, but very historic: struck on a float during the Philadelphia parade to mark Washington's 100th Birthday on February 22, 1832. The city's goldsmiths and silversmiths produced this medal to mark the event. Tin specimens like this were tossed like Mardi Gras doubloons from the parade float. A small number of silver specimens were also struck (one was put in the cornerstone of the Washington Monument) and one was produced in gold for the Marquis de Lafayette. A contemporary lithograph illustrates the gold and silver artificer's float in the parade, and a small screw press is prominently featured aboard the wagon. In 1858, the dies (now cracked on most examples) were polished and used to produce white metal and bronze restrikes for collectors. The common nature of these restrikes has made the originals seem common too; they're not. Rulau says "less than 100 specimens known," which is a bit like indicating that fewer than 100 1804 dollars are known. I'd be surprised if half that many still existed in all grades. Usually they are found a bit corroded, like this one; such is the nature of tin. This is one of the few medals produced in America in this era that is actually collectible, as most are extremely rare...$325

Very Rare Original Andrew Jackson Indian Peace Medal in Silver
Presented to a Native American between 1832 and 1836

1829 Andrew Jackson Indian Peace medal. Silver, 51 mm. Julian IP-16. Holed as issued. Choice Fine. 789.5 grains. Cracked out of an NGC Fine-15 holder. A perfectly worn, undamaged, beautifully toned medal, one whose look suggests at least one generation of perpetual display. Only the most minor marks pepper the obverse, a light proportion considering the travails this medal must have endured on its exposed side. The reverse is smooth and worn, and only a few of the most minor rim bruises are visible from that side. Fewer than 80 examples were likely struck in this size: 71 known to have been struck, and an unknown proportion of the 26 medals of all three sizes in one delivery. The worn surfaces, gently toned over the dark gray surfaces, still betray a hint of the reflective surfaces this issue had when struck. Today, perhaps a dozen survive in this size, fewer than the number of large examples known.
Jackson makes for an especially ironic visage on an Indian Peace medal. He is best known as the overseer of Indian removal, also known as the Trail of Tears, after ignoring the opposition of many in Congress and the Supreme Court. He fought Indians himself, from territorial skirmishes to the Seminole Wars. On the other hand, he adopted an Indian boy, Lyncoca, who lived with Jackson's family until his adolescent death from tuberculosis.
Jackson's medals were primarily distributed via the St. Louis office of William Clark (yes, that William Clark), then acting as Superintendant of Indian Affairs. They saw distribution in the upper Midwest and Plains, and perhaps among the removed tribes of the American South. A few were saved for collectors, including Andrew Jackson, who purchased three of these smallest size medals for $3 each.
This example was purchased by John Ford at the 1965 CNA convention in Montreal. It was sold in Ford Part 18 as Lot 96. Ford's particular interest in Jackson meant he assembled a significant little hoard of his Indian Peace medals. Now, just four years later, they have been well dispersed...$11,750

1852 Chicago Mechanics Institute award medal. Silver, 41.5 mm. Dies by George H. Lovett, New York. Fine or so. Nice glossy dark gray fields contrast with lighter silver devices. Awarded to S. Longcor for "Best Stirring Plow, 5th Annual Fair, 1852" in a somewhat amateurish and folksy script. Well worn, clearly Mr. Longcor carried this as a pocket piece for years. At 401 grains, its weight is nearly that of a silver dollar. Samuel Longcor was born in 1813 in Dundee, New York and died in Belvidere, Illinois in 1893. He went west in 1839, taking a trade as a blacksmith and becoming known for his iron plows, pioneering their production in the Illinois frontier. Longcor has been credited with inventing the "Diamond" plow, a product that another company in Canton, Illinois built a product line around. That Canton company evolved into International Harvester Company. In what appears to have been a fairly accomplished career in the field, it seems especially personal that this medal was Longcor's pocket piece. In 1877, a book entitled The Past and Present of Boone County included brief biographies of some notable citizens. Samuel Longcor's paragraph long life-story included a full sentence about taking "first premium at the Mechanic's Institute, Chicago, in 1852, for the superiority of his plows over all others, and was awarded a silver medal." Well, here it is. Kinda cool, huh?...Sold

High Grade 1807 Washington Sansom medal, Struck in Tin

1815 (1807) Washington Presidency Resigned Sansom medal. Baker-71B. White metal, 41 mm. In an NGC holder described as "Unc Details, Environmental Damage," which is fair enough. Bright and lustrous light silver gray, with nearly full reflective flash remaining on the obverse and most of it still there on the somewhat faded obverse. The "environmental damage" is some raised specks of tin pest here and there, including one on Washington's cheek, a black spot under ES of RESIGNED, and smaller ones elsewhere. I've never had one of these analyzed, but I would guess they're nearly pure tin - they tend to react and corrode far more quickly than other "white metal" medals of the period. A few years earlier (1801), when the Philadelphia Mint coined some restrikes of the Gates at Saratoga medal, the composition was described as "tin" - and the Sansom's seem to be struck from the same or a very similar alloy (or lack thereof). A lot of these get fully pested and end up a granular nickel-gray. This is far closer to the original appearance of the medal, despite the environmental reaction...$650

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