1762 Morro Castle medal. Betts-443. Bronze, 50 mm. Extremely Fine. Rich glossy chocolate brown with boldly realized designs on both sides. The rims have been roughly handled and show bruises around much of the circumference, and some light marks are present in the fields, including some fine old pinscratches in the left obverse field. A classic among Betts medals of the French and Indian War era. Americans tend not to think of the Caribbean as a front in this conflict. In fact, it became the focus of it after the fall of Canada, with the best military resources North America and England had to offer pouring into Havana after Spain entered the war on the side of France. This medal depicts the loss of the main Spanish fortress in Havana, the Morro Castle. In the scene depicted on the reverse, the powder magazine of the fort explodes, carrying Spanish soldiers high into its mushroom cloud. The nice AU in the Adams Collection brought $3450. This one is a fine value at...Hold

(1882) Lincoln & Garfield memorial medal. Silver, 25.5 mm. Julian PR-40. Choice Mint State. Both obverse and reverse of this anepigraphic medal are graced with delicate pale green, gold, and pastel blue tones on the nicely reflective surfaces. The photographs don't adequately showcase this fine medal's in-hand appeal. Some little hairlines are noted, dig off Lincoln's forehead, a few minor marks present on the truncation of Garfield's bust. This medal is relatively common, but it rarely appears this nice...$325

1907 Lowell, Massachusetts engraved prize medal. German silver (?), 52.5 mm. About Uncirculated. Fully hand engraved "A Sociedade Portugueza de Benefiecincia de Santo Antonio / Em nome da Congregacao / offerece / o PASTOR J.V. ROSA / Junho 1907 / Lowell, Mass." on the obverse, while the reverse shows a charming engraving of the church above "Premio do Trabalho," or Award for Work. The surfaces are lightly toned silver gray with some scattered lines, seemingly silver to the naked eye though the rich, long sonority is not high enough in key to make me believe this is struck in silver; perhaps it is. Father Joaquim V. Rosa was the pastor of St. Anthony's in Lowell until his return to his native Azores in 1911. His parish still survives, even today billed as a "Portuguese-American Roman Catholic Church." The church's website offers a fine history, which has served the Portuguese-speaking community of Lowell since the 1850s. Mass is still said in Portuguese to this day. This large medal is unusual, attractive, and speaks to the history of a little-known American immigrant community...$375

The Week Ulysses Grant and Mark Twain Became Friends, En Medaille

1879 Ulysses S. Grant Chicago Reception medal. White metal, 30 mm. Extremely Fine. Holed, as typical. A charming medal from one of the most memorable events of Ulysses S. Grant's lifetime, his triumphant reception in Chicago in November 1879. He was greeted by thousands of grateful Union veterans during a reunion of the Army of the Tennessee, and lauded at banquets and speeches for a solid week. The most notable of these was by Mark Twain, with whom the General made fast friends, despite the fact that Twain had run from Grant's armies as a Confederate deserter in Missouri. The event was covered by press nationwide and was one of the highlight events of Grant's post-White House years. This piece shows a crude, playful portrait of Grant on the obverse with a legend borrowed from a common toast of the day: "Washington, the Father, Lincoln, the Martyr, and Grant, the Preserver of Our Country." The surfaces are pleasing medium gray, a bit lighter around devices where lustre was last to fade. There are light scattered marks, including a nick at Grant's nose, but the eye appeal remains excellent. This is a rarity among Grant portrait medals...$325

A Revolutionary War Medal Betts Missed

(1781) Admiral George Rodney / Capture of Saint Eustatius medal. Pinchbeck, 33 mm. Milford Haven 386, BHM-233, Betts-unlisted. Extremely Fine. A very pleasant example of a medal that usually comes crummy, particularly because of the crude medal from which it was struck. Somewhat matte dark brown with some encrustation noted around peripheral legends. Two silvery specks on mysteriously present on the reverse. Handsome eye appeal, nicely preserved for the type. Though Betts included a few of the Rodney medals in his work (Betts-579 and Betts-580), he missed a few others. Both of those medals and this one share an obverse type and were struck to mark his taking of Saint Eustatius (often called Statia in contemporary documents) in February 1781. Saint Eustatius, a Dutch island in the West Indies, was the main smuggling transfer point for much of the war materiel bound for the American revolutionaries. Had the island been taken earlier in the war, the effect could have been devastating for the Americans. Rodney knew America well; he was based in New York during the French and Indian War, before taking off to the West Indies in 1759. After Yorktown, he defeated the Comte de Grasse at sea in 1782, before the official end of hostilities. Today, he's most remembered for his name becoming a name: if you know anybody named Rodney, they owe it to this guy: he was the inspiration for it entering the canon of boy's first names. If anyone ever redoes the Betts book, this is an obvious candidate for inclusion...Sold

1901 Boston Philatelic Society medal. Silver, 35 mm. Storer-202. Choice Mint State. Reverse engraved to E.S. Phelps for "U.S. Revenues" in June 1901. Mr. Phelps was member number 78 in the Boston Philatelic Society; number 77 was none other than Hiram Deats, a noted numismatist and perhaps the foremost philatelist of his generation. This piece is lustrous and finely toned in a variety of subtle shades: golds, blues, violets, and red-orange. Some light hairlines are seen, but they are inobtrusive. This piece shows evidence of double striking, which makes me wonder if this was struck on a screw press rather than a typical high-powered press of the era. The city view of Boston at central obverse is charmingly crude. Silver medals were apparently given out at every meeting of the Boston Philatelic Society for many years in this era. Few turn up on the numismatic market, unsurprising since the appearance of a stamp collector at a coin show is enough to incite a brawl á la West Side Story. (Admittedly, U.S. Revenue stamps are about as close as philately gets to numismatics, aside from encased postage, and plenty of coin folk collect revenue stamped paper.) This is a scarce crossover medal that should appeal to Boston specialists in particular...$295

Superb Mint State 1770 George Whitefield Medal Rarity

1770 George Whitefield memorial medal. Bronze, 40 mm. BHM-149var. Choice Mint State. While mentioned in a footnote in Laurence Brown's British Historical Medals, this type was not among the three Whitefield memorial medals listed by Betts (Betts-525 through 527) and this variety was entirely lacking from the thorough John J. Ford Jr. Collection of Betts medals, which included several types of Whitefield portrait pieces. This piece is struck from the same obverse as Ford XIV:496 (note the cud above second G of GEORGE and the signature IWF near 6:00) and the same reverse as Ford XIV:501. The surfaces are superbly lustrous light brown, barely faded from full mint color and still showing abundant mint red at obverse periphery and around most reverse legends. A few little old hairline scratches are seen here and there, single spot on Whitefield's cheek, minor rim bruise below 3:00 on reverse, a few natural pits at central reverse left over from the planchet's original casting. The cartwheel is unbroken on both sides, and the overall quality is better than any of Ford or LaRiviere's specimens of this general type. Brown called this medal RRRR in bronze, but surely this footnote-mentioned variety (with TRUE in the reverse legend instead of GOOD) is rarer still. Whitefield is best compared to Billy Grahm in the colonial era, the biggest celebrity among the preachers of the Great Awakening, a man who could fill stadiums if they existed in his day. He died in Newburyport, Massachusetts in 1770 after spending most of the last three decades in America. Ben Franklin famously deposited "a handful of copper Money, three or four silver Dollars, and five pistoles in Gold" in one of Whitefield's collection baskets. If Franklin collected Betts medals, he'd probably gladly pay just as much for such a choice example of a variety missing from every major Betts collection yet sold...Sold

A Horticultural Medal With a Magnificant Whaling Motif

1920 New Bedford (MA) Horticultural Society medal. Silver, 46 mm. Choice Mint State. With original purple velvet lined black leather box of issue from C.G. Braxmar Co. / Jewelers / 10 & 12 Maiden Lane / New York. An absolutely beautiful medal, and by far the most visually interesting horticultural medal I've ever encountered. The surfaces display a fine matte finish with beautiful original deep gray toning and highlights of rich gold, pale green, and orange-red around devices. The reverse is engraved to H.V. Sowle for a "collection of gladiolus" on Aug. 18 & 19, 1920. Hylon V. Sowle was a florist in New Bedford, a seaport best known as one of the major hubs of the Atlantic whaling trade, which explains the obverse design: put simply, this medal features the coolest whaling motif I've ever seen on any medal. A well-rendered sperm whale looks left with crossed harpoons behind it. This is clearly a rare medal -- a little research makes it look like this was only distributed for a dozen or so years. I've never encountered this medal before, in person or in print. I can't imagine a more visually appealing type in the whole world of horticultural medals...Sold

Classic John Paul Jones Comitia Americana Medal by Dupre

(ca. 1845-1860) John Paul Jones medal. Bronze, 57 mm. Betts-568, Julian NA-1. Choice About Uncirculated. CUIVRE with pointing hand on edge. Paris Mint striking. Golden and pale rose highlights enliven lustrous, reflective fields, toned overall a choice medium chocolate brown. Only the most minor handling is noted, a few little specks including one between PR of PRAEFECTO, very nicely preserved overall. Struck from the original dies by Dupre, some light crumbling apparent on the reverse rim in the northwest quadrant, neatly filed by the artisans at the Paris Mint. These original dies retain their superb detail and crispness, creating a far finer presentation of the Houdon-inspired bust and reverse battle scene than those offered on the Philadelphia Mint strikes from gunmetal dies or the later copy dies made at Paris and Philadelphia. A classic medal, rich with history and visual appeal, and a fine addition to a Comitia Americana medal set. Listed in the 100 Greatest American Medals and Tokens at number 35...$1,850

Rare (1876) US Mint Diplomatic Medal by Charles Barber

1876 U.S. Mint Diplomatic medal. Bronze, 68 mm. Julian CM-15. Choice About Uncirculated. One of just 86 struck from dies prepared by Charles Barber, copying from cliches of the adopted obverse and unadopted reverse made available to him in 1875. Elizabeth Bryant Johnston, writing in A Visit to the Cabinet of the United States Mint at Philadelphia, 1876, noted, "the reproduction by C. Barber is finely executed, and the bronzing exceptionally beautiful." This one shows minimal evidence of handling, just a few widely scattered little marks, one on the obverse (the Great Seal side) rim near 2:00, another on the reverse near 1:30. The bronzing remains glossy and somewhat reflective, with an overall shade of pleasing medium brown. The history of the original 1790 Diplomatic medals would be better known if they were more common; just three in bronze are known, and none of the original gold strikes survive. The Diplomatic medal was famous enough by 1875 for collectors to clamor for an official US Mint striking of the medal that was Jefferson's brainchild and the first medallic representation of the Great Seal. The young Chapman Brothers, who owned an original, condemned these as "counterfeit," alas, they are official Mint products. Today they remain in high demand. The last piece to sell at public auction brought an alarming sum in August 2012. That piece was of superb quality, and it was remarkably well catalogued by a noted enthusiast of the series. It brought $4,312. This one will likely sell quickly. Listed in the 100 Greatest American Medals and Tokens at number 73...Sold

(ca. 1870) New Hampshire Agricultural Society medal. Bronze, 59 mm. Julian AM-56. About Uncirculated. Dies by William Barber. Exemplary rich mahogany bronzing is present on both sides, a bit reflective on the reverse. Some light friction, only minor scattered marks, intact rims. Carlson estimated 11 to 25 known in bronze as of 1985; they are rarely seen on the marketplace today. It looks like 171 of these were struck between 1870 and 1875, while those listed in Mint mintage figures after 1875 appear to have been the smaller size (Julian AM-57), though it is hard to be sure...$325

1801 (i.e. circa 1886) Thomas Jefferson Indian Peace medal. Bronze, 75 mm. Julian IP-3. Mint State. Boldly reflective mahogany bronzed surfaces are aglow with golden toning, turning to rich rose and blue inside the rims. An absolutely gorgeous medal, struck from copy dies by Charles Barber produced circa 1886. A few marks are present, including a little group in the upper left obverse field, a single spot off his shoulder in the lower right obverse field, perfect rims, outstanding eye appeal. Any Thomas Jefferson Peace medal is rare. Silver pieces, of course, are among the greatest rarities in the American medal series. Bronzes from before the mid-20th century introduction of peanut bronze are also very rare, with mintages proximate to other copper Peace medal types, but far less frequency of appearance in the marketplace. Survivorship is lower than other types, also, as fraudsters have been drilling holes into bronzes and tying feathers to them to pass them off as awarded medals for a century or more. Between 1886 and 1904, about 132 Jefferson Indian Peace medals were struck in bronze at the Philadelphia Mint. The total mintage from these dies is probably not much higher. The last bronze Jefferson Indian Peace medal I had was nowhere near this pretty. Listed in the 100 Greatest American Medals and Tokens at number 3...Sold

Rare 1907 Sir Francis Drake ANS Medal

1907 Sir Francis Drake plaquette. Silver, 56 x 65 mm. Choice About Uncirculated. Number 63 from a mintage of just 100 pieces in silver. Deep charcoal gray toning yields to lighter silver on the highest points of Drake's portrait, while the reverse is a rich medium silver gray and darker near the edges. Nicely preserved with no notable marks or flaws. An important medal, with a reverse map copied from the famed "Silver Map" medal. That medal is one of what I like to call the Unownable Seven -- the seven types among the 100 Greatest American Medals and Tokens that a collector will likely not be able to acquire given infinite longevity and infinite resources. (Email me for the complete list, or encourage me to blog about it.) The Silver Map is listed as Betts-9 and was likely created about 1586. The connection of this medal to that was made clear even at the time of its production by the American Numismatic Society. Though this medal is not as rare as the Drake Silver Map (the ANS lists four known, including their specimen, while the 100 Greatest book notes nine, apparently echoing Rulau), it is very elusive. The last silver example to sell publicly was in a 2008 Coin Galleries sale. This attractively toned piece traces its provenance to Charles McSorley and Ted Craige...Sold

1883 Maris Family reunion medal. Bronze, 38 mm. Julian CM-27, HK-unlisted. About Uncirculated. A very scarce US Mint medal that despite being the precise size of a silver dollar is unlisted in the standard text on So-Called Dollars. If there is one medal a collector of New Jersey coppers would want to own, this is is: the medal struck for Dr. Edward Maris' family reunion in 1883, two years after he published his still-standard A Historic Sketch of the Coins of New Jersey. The surfaces are reflective and pleasantly toned in blue and gold shades over the mahogany bronzing. Some light friction is noted, a couple old spots, a bit of handling, nicely preserved despite apparently being distributed to one of Cousin Edward's non-collecting relatives. The rims are perfect and the overall eye appeal is nice. Julian suggests that the bronze specimens of this medal (sold for 75 cents at the time) were struck outside the Mint. While they do not appear on Mint records of the era, the workmanship leads me to the conclusion that they were indeed struck at the Philadelphia Mint but kept off the books, a trick that wasn't possible with precious metal strikings. While a small group was released from family hands within the last few years (fewer than a half dozen pieces), these remain scarce but avidly sought after...$450

1880 Visit of Ulysses S. Grant to the Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes at Mexico City medal. Grove P-189a. Silver, 40 mm. Choice Mint State. A too-little known medal struck to mark former President Grant's visit to Mexico City's best known art academy, now known as the Academy of San Carlos. The obverse is brilliant silver white, with deep reflectivity in the circular field around the magnificently detailed image of the Aztec Calendar Stone. The reverse shows a kaleidoscopic blend of gold, blue, and violet, deepest at base but beautifully flecked over the entire side. Some hairlines are visible on the reverse, particularly in the southwest quadrant, but they are clearly old and under the lovely toning. Ulysses S. Grant spent most of 1880 traveling, though he was nominated as a Republican candidate for President, a nod that eventually went to James A. Garfield. Mexico was one of his primary haunts that year, mostly exploring opportunities in the railroad industry. In 1881, Grant became president of the Mexican Southern Railway, backed largely by William H. Vanderbilt. The railway failed, leaving Grant pretty much broke. This medal is one of the few numismatic mementos of Grant from this era, and it makes a nice souvenir of his Mexican sojourn...Sold

1741 Sir Robert Walpole medal. Bronze, 49.5 mm. Medallic Illustrations George II 193. Choice Mint State. A beautiful portrait medal of an ugly man, with deep reflectivity in the chocolate brown surfaces and hints of gold and navy blue around devices. Faded mint color persists in some protected areas, only minor hairlines noted, pits near rim reflect the cast nature of the specially made planchet. The portrait is in high relief and very lifelike. The reverse depicts a statue of Cicero, surrounded by a quote from the Aeneid translating to "He governs minds by eloquence." Sir Robert Walpole was the single most powerful political force in Great Britain for much of the early 18th century. He is best known to American collectors for his overseeing of the War of Jenkin's Ear, including the exploits of Admiral Vernon. He is playfully depicted on two medals avidly collected as part of the Admiral Vernon series. This medal is far rarer than those, not to mention more attractive, and would nicely illustrate Walpole's role in early American history. Medallic Illustrations dryly calls this medal "somewhat rare."...$475

1911 First Church of Quincy relic medal. Bronze, 100 mm. Storer-1854. Mint State. Edge marked GORHAM CO. Beautiful applied apple green patina is distinctive and choice, as issued and well preserved. Very pleasing in appearance with only a few little specks here and there. This large medal by Theo A.R. Kitson is highly collectible as a relic medal, "struck from the old copper of the belfry" as indicated by the obverse legend, but also as one of the few medallic portraits of John Adams and his son, John Quincy Adams, both Quincy natives and members of this church's congregation. Both Adamses, along with their famous wives, are also buried in a vault in the church's basement. Dr. Malcom Storer displayed a specimen of this medal at the March 1920 meeting of the Boston Numismatic Society and he also listed it in his 1923 Numismatics of Massachusetts. An example of this medal without this fine green patina brought $541 in a December 2007 Coin Galleries auction. Theo Kitson's other artworks are mostly non-collectible, though they can be viewed in public parks and battlefields all over the country. Like the Adams family, Mrs. Kitson was a Quincy native...$575

1804 Joseph Priestley memorial medal. White metal, 54 mm. BHM-565. Choice About Uncirculated. Very flashy, with reflective surfaces showing just the most minimal mellowing in the fields. Scattered light marks and lines are seen, typical of medals in this composition, though we only note a horizontal scratch below E of JOSEPHUS as one that catches the naked eye. Die cracked at base of reverse, an injury that perhaps occurred when this die (originally used in 1794 on BHM-381) had Priestley's birth and death dates added in fine print. This is the sort of medal that would have been included in Betts if it was dated 20 years earlier. Its Latin legend at central reverse translates to "Leaving the shores of Britain on April 8, he reached America (COLUMBIAM) on June 4, 1794." Priestley was seen as a heretic for his freethinking views; his friend Ben Franklin famously called him "the honest heretic." He was friends with Franklin, Matthew Boulton, Thomas Jefferson, and others of his era who would be familiar to numismatists. After his house in Birmingham was raided and put to fire by rioters, he relocated to central Pennsylvania, where there was plenty of his most famous discovery: oxygen. After a decade in the Susquehanna Valley, Priestley passed in 1804; memorial medals were prepared by Phipson (this one) and Thomas Halliday. I first encountered a Priestley memorial medal in the collection of Lucian LaRiviere, who included one in his Betts medal cabinet. Lucien's example is one worth following...Sold

1760 Lima, Peru Carlos III proclamation medal or four reales. Silver, 37 mm. Betts-469. Choice Very Fine. Decorated edge. Holed, as typical. Pleasant and even dusky silver gray with scattered minor marks consistent with the grade. Some light encrustation noted around a few letters of the peripheral legends, no major problems, a lovely example for the grade. This popular proclamation four reales is listed by Betts (like most proclamation medals of Carlos III) and often collected by followers of the Betts series...$395

1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition award medal. Silver, 54 mm. By Stief, Nashville. Gem Mint State. Edge marked STERLING with rampant lion, anchor, and Gothic G. With original silk-lined leather box, stamped inside lid in gilt B.H. STIEF / Jewelry Co. / Nashville, Tenn. Beautiful pastel blue swirls over medium silver-gray surfaces, highly lustrous and with a distinctive surface finish. The central reverse shows blushes of gold and violet. The box is somewhat split and damaged on the lid, otherwise intact. Though unengraved, it is likely this piece was awarded, but engraving was left to the recipient to handle themselves; such was de rigeur for many prize medals of this era. Clearly a rare medal, the ANS holdings include only a bronze specimen, despite the fact that they actively sought out medals like this when new. The obverse depicts the Parthenon, which was rebuilt in Nashville (aka "The Athens of the South") for the exposition. The US Mint had a booth set up and produced a popularly collected so-called dollar at the event. This is far rarer, though admittedly less well known...$475

Rare American Society of Mechanical Engineers Medal
Awarded to Aeronautical Pioneer George W. Lewis

1929 (awarded 1944) Spirit of Saint Louis / American Society of Mechanical Engineers medal. Vermeil (14K gold-plated silver), 70 mm. By Victor S. Holm. Choice About Uncirculated. Edge marked MEDALLIC ART CO and 1/10 14K G.F. One of the highest awards in the aeronautics field, awarded to aeronautical pioneer George William Lewis (1882-1948), for whom Lewis Field at NASA's John H. Glenn Research Center is named. A glorious achievement among Beaux Arts medals, depicting Icarus in moving fashion on Victor Holm's obverse. Both sides are rich yellow gold, with silver gray visible only on the edge. The Spirit of Saint Louis Medal, given out biennially from 1929 to 1961 and annually thereafter, is one of the highest prizes an aeronautical engineer can hope for. Past recipients include Jimmy Doolittle, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and other red-letter names. Just 54 medals have been awarded. Lewis was the 6th recipient. Every online biography of Mr. Lewis includes this medal among his highest honors (including Wikipedia, his NASA biography, and his National Academy of Sciences memoir by William F. Durand). When Lewis arrived at Langley Field, it really was just a field. This beautiful rarity among modern medals would be a significant addition to any collection of aeronautical medals...Hold

1909 U.S.S. Nashville / Chicago Numismatic Society plaquette. Bronze, 76 x 38 mm. By J. Henri Ripstra. Mint State. Glossy medium brown with gold and rose highlights. A handsome medallic relic of the appearance of the gunboat U.S.S. Nashville. This one has been carefully engraved on the bottom edge "A.W. 11-28-1974." A nice piece of Chicago numismatic or U.S. naval history...Hold

Superb 1777 Franklin Terracotta Portrait by Nini

1777 B. Franklin Americain medallion by Jean-Baptiste Nini. Terracotta, 113 mm. As Betts-548. Choice Mint State. Original top and back suspension hole intact. A marvelously preserved example of this medallic relic of the American Revolution, one of the most famous of all portraits of Benjamin Franklin. The surfaces are even earthen brown with no cracks, chips, repairs, or flaws. This is about as fine a survivor as a modern collector is apt to encounter in the marketplace. Franklin famously wrote home to his daughter that "Your father's face is now as well known as the man in the moon," and this was one of the most popular images of Dr. Franklin in France in the era. Franklin first references "medallions in terre-cuit" in a letter dated December 11, 1777. Franklin sent the first he acquired home to his daughter, who gave it to his friend Francis Hopkinson. Undoubtedly it was not the only one to make it to American shores. This one is ready to be hung lovingly on a wall and enjoyed. Ranked 29th in the 100 Greatest American Tokens and Medals...$2,750

Choice 1799 Westwood Medal With Box

1799 (i.e. 1800) Westwood Washington Memorial medal. Bronze, 40.6 mm. Baker-81. Second Reverse. Choice About Uncirculated. With velvet lined dark wood box, clearly of similar age to the medal and created to fit a medal its size; found together in a non-numismatic setting with no other medals, we presume this box is indeed original to the medal. Rich glossy chocolate brown with good lustre in the fields. Some hints of old encrustation is present in peripheries, evidence of this medal's long-term benign neglect. Thin horizontal scratch in left obverse field, a few trivial marks, little group of nicks under HE at left central reverse. A beautiful example, finer than any example that has been offered since Ford II (2004), where the rarity of this medal in high grade was little appreciated. This medal must have seen largely non-numismatic distribution, as most are in poor condition today: wear and rim knocks are the rule rather than the exception. An example this nice is a treat to behold. We have never encountered another with the box...Sold

Magnificent 1824 Washington / Lafayette Medalet
Easily The Finest Seen

1824 Washington / Lafayette silver medalet. Silver, 14.5 mm. Baker-198A. AU-50 (NGC). Is it possible that this medal can be very rare, with a total known population that might not surpass 10, yet there are two currently for sale here? It is, and sometimes numismatic rarities cluster in such multiples that may make them appear common though the opposite is the case. Though there is another currently in stock (graded Choice Very Fine, though lacking its loop, and priced at $1,450), this medalet is a stand-out rarity among early Washingtoniana: the superb Boyd-Ford Collection sold in the Ford II sale did not include one. Beyond its outright rarity, this example may indeed be the finest known; it is certainly the finest I've ever seen by a country mile. The surfaces show magnificent blue, gold, and amber toning with abundant peripheral lustre, though the surface quality is difficult to photograph in the NGC encapsulation. The hanger remains (a trait not typically seen on silver specimens) and both Washington's and Lafayette's portrait are supremely sharp. The Lafayette side shows some pre-striking adjustment marks, much like US Mint coins of the era. Aside from trivial hairlines and microscopic evidence of handling, both sides remain technically superb. For an advanced Washingtoniana collector, it is hard to imagine ever having the opportunity to upgrade this piece, judged by either condition or eye appeal. This is a relic of the 1824 visit of Lafayette that should be seen to be appreciated...Sold

Historic 1687 Silver Shoals / Sir William Phips Medal

1687 Silver Shoals / Recovery of Treasure medal. Betts-67. Silver, 55 mm. Choice 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. Highly reflective surfaces are graced with bright blue toning and golden highlights, while the reverse shows some traces of violet. Scattered light marks are seen in the fields, little batch of hairlines in front of Queen Mary's chin, little rim nick above HA of HAMUS on the reverse and a few smaller rim ticks scattered here and there, natural planchet flaws at rim at 6:00 and 1:00 on obverse. A beautiful example, far more original and more attractive than the vast majority of specimens that survive. 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. While specimens had often crossed the $4000 and $5000 marks in auctions before this year, the recent offering of the John W. Adams Collection showed new records being broken for this Betts number, with the nicest of his three bringing $8,225 and two others bringing $4,400 each. This seems like a prudent purchase at the (now outdated?) price of...Sold

Very Rare 1859 Elisha Kent Kane Polar/Masonic Medal

1859 Elisha Kent Kane Masonic medal. Bronze, 51 mm. By George H. Lovett. Choice Mint State. An important rarity among Lovett medals and Polar numismatica. Rich glossy chocolate brown with fine, deep bronzing and exquisite detail on both sides. The bronzed patina is a bit uneven on the neck of Kane and in a small area left of the star at left central reverse, otherwise this piece is essentially flawless. The obverse depicts Kane, "the Great Arctic Navigator" as noted in the obverse legend, above a panel showing his ship Advance trapped in Arctic ice. The reverse is the same as Baker-290, the Non Nobis Solum Washington Masonic medal. While that Washington Masonic medal is quite rare, this seems even rarer. Dave Bowers wrote extensively about this medal in his American Numismatics Before the Civil War, pp. 158-163, saying "the sales of the medal must have been small, for today such pieces are rarities, as they have been for several generations. Such pieces are conspicuously lacking from catalogues of nearly all great cabinets of American medals formed since 1858, among with can be counted the 1882 presentation of the Bushnell Collection, an offering which contained many other Sage-related pieces." Kane was a rock-star type celebrity after his Arctic explorations, dying at just 36 years old...Hold

Superlative Quality 1790 Manly Medal

(1790) Manly medal. Bronze, 49 mm. Baker-61B. Choice Mint State. A stellar example of a classic American medal, the first medal struck in America depicting Washington and one of just a handful struck during his Presidency. Both sides are smooth and glossy golden brown, with some traces of mint color around devices and within the multi-step rims. The strike is superb, with full detail at the usually-soft central reverse opposite the high profile portrait. The inscription J. MANLY & C 1790 at the base of the reverse is not only present (it was scraped off on many examples, probably those that were retailed by merchants other than Manly) but extremely bold. The high rims are perfect, and only pre-striking planchet marks are present; this piece has been marvelously preserved since its production. Manly medals were distributed from Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Savannah, Georgia, with ads appearing in newspapers up and down the Eastern Seaboard, many of which quoted local political and military celebrities waxing eloquent on what a great likeness of Washington this medal was. Hundreds, maybe thousands, were sold mostly to non-numismatists who did not handle their medals carefully. Typical specimens will show rim abuse, damage, wear, even holes. Even high grade examples are rarely close to this nice. In fact, the only one close to this nice I recall seeing since the fine selection in the 2004 Ford II sale was the one in the ANR Old Colony sale in December 2005, which brought $4370 back then. A handful of other nice ones have sold since, but none remotely as nice as this one. If you just want a typical Manly medal, email me; I see them relatively often. If you want a superb Manly medal, one that would be essentially impossible to improve upon, buy this one. Ranked 17th in the 100 Greatest American Tokens and Medals...Sold

Famous 1756 Kittanning Destroyed Medal, Betts-400

1756 Kittanning Destroyed medal. Bronze, 46 mm. Betts-400, Julian MI-33. Choice About Uncirculated. 2.9 mm thick at rims. Struck from the original dies of 1756, the first medal dies ever executed on American soil. The dies were irreparably damaged by 1874, and plenty of strikes from these dies are known from a far later die state than that displayed here, which likely places the date of this particular striking sometime in the early 1860s when interest in early American medals reached a fevered pitch. The surfaces are pleasing and even mahogany with good gloss and no significant flaws. Some wedge-shaped marks on the edge have been noted on other specimens; they were likely left when coiners attempted to get the medal unstuck from the somewhat concave dies. It's been awhile since I've had a specimen of this classic medal, a true relic of the French and Indian War, and every specimen I've had has found a new home rather swiftly. Ranked 9th in the 100 Greatest American Tokens and Medals...Sold

(ca. 1862) Washington Birth/Death medalet. Baker-155, Julian PR-26. Silver, 19 mm. Choice Mint State. Deeply reflective surfaces show a wealth of beautiful toning, chiefly bright blue but enlivened with rose, gold, violet, and sea green. A gorgeous little medalet with nice technical quality too. It would be tough to imagine a prettier example...Sold

1776 Lord Bathurst medal. Bronze, 37 mm. BHM-203. Choice About Uncirculated. An absolutely beautiful medal, with just the faintest cabinet friction present on the high relief portrait of Henry Bathurst by John Kirk. The highly reflective fields are golden-toned light brown, while green and blue toning frames the devices on both sides. The portrait of Bathurst was originally modeled by Isaac Gosset (likely in wax); Gosset also did the 1775 Lord North medal (Betts-551), the 1762 Benjamin Franklin medal (Betts-545), and the important 1759 General Wolfe medal (Betts-422, which was likewise engraved by Kirk). This piece was accomplished in 1776 when Bathurst was serving as Lord Chancellor in the ministry of Lord North; Lord Chancellor was the highest official in the British judiciary and the speaker of the House of Lords. Bathurst later served as Lord President of Council (1779-82). While this medal bears no direct relationship to America, it does depict a member of the Lord North's ministry (i.e. his cabinet) during the American Revolution. While Americans learn a lot about the movers and shakers in the Continental Congress during the Revolution, rarely do we learn about (or see) their political equals in London...Sold

1844 Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association medal. Silver, 38 mm. Julian LM-33. Dies by Christian Gobrecht. About Uncirculated. Awarded to Mrs. Coindreau "for a specimen of Embroidery" at the Exhibition of 1844. While I had a gold specimen of this medal in stock a year or two ago, it's been awhile since a silver one has come across my desk. Nicely reflective fields remain, lightly polished to brilliant silver, while the rims have gathered deep and attractive toning over the years. A few marks are seen atop the seated figure's head on the reverse, the usual hairlines are present (as essentially always seen on this non-numismatically distributed prize medals), a few shallow reverse scrapes, good sound rims. Unfortunately, the official tally of awards distributed at this Fourth Exhibition doesn't give us much more information about Mrs. Coindreau and her embroidery than the medal does, though a bit more poking around reveals that Mrs. Coindreau also won a medal in 1839 for her embroidery work. A bit more research revealed that Mrs. Coindreau was actually Ann Elizabeth (Brown) Coindreau, wife of Alphonse Coindreau, a merchant with a store on India Wharf in Boston. He may be the same Alphonse Coindreau who turns up in Stockton, CA in 1850; one wonders if his talented wife went to the gold fields with him. An Alfonso Coindreau ended up in Tucson, AZ in 1871 as a stagecoach operator, quite possibly the same guy. Surely this family has a story. Who said prize medals for embroidery were boring? Ranked 171st in the 100 Greatest American Tokens and Medals...Sold

Very Rare 1826 Semi-Centennial Medal

1826 National Jubilee / Declaration of Independence Semi-Centennial medal. Tin, 39 mm. HK-4. Very Good. Holed for suspension. One of the first entries in the popularly collected So-Called Dollar series, an important historical issue from the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Deep glossy pewter gray with some light surface granularity but no raised corrosion or tinpest. Nice old patina is intact but for a small scrape near 3:00 on the reverse rim that exposes some bright metal. Well worn at central obverse, undoubtedly worn during the Semi-centennial celebration and perhaps long-after, like most of this issue, which almost almost always comes holed. The obverse design is well-defined, the peripheral reverse legend is intact, and pieces of the quote from the Declaration of Independence at central reverse remain. A rim bruise is present right of 6:00 on the obverse, some smaller ones, very few injuries for a soft-metal medal in this state of preservation. The day marked by this medal, the 50th anniversary of American Independence, is best known in the modern American consciousness as the last day on earth of two of the titans of the Revolutionary generation. Thomas Jefferson was in and out of consciousness the first days of July 1826, repeatedly asking "Is it the Fourth yet?," before succumbing that day. John Adams died just hours after Jefferson, breathing his last that afternoon and uttering his last words that day: "Thomas Jefferson survives." This is not the first medal to mark an anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence -- that laurel goes to Jefferson's inaugural medal, which also marked the 25th anniversary of the document that came to define Jefferson's life. This rare piece may not be the finest of the known population of perhaps 10-15 (or fewer?) surviving examples, but holding it summons all the history of that important day...$595

1925 American Jersey Cattle Club medal. 14K gold, 34.6 mm. By Karl Gruppe. Choice About Uncirculated. 420.1 grains (27.23 grams). Edge marked 14 K Medallic Art Co, N.Y. Reverse engraved "VOLUNTEER'S VIDA / R OF M 1925." A handsome and elusive gold medal by noted sculptor and medalist Karl Gruppe. Gruppe's KG monogram is seen under the obverse portrait. Rich yellow gold with only a whisper of rub and no marks or serious evidence of handling on attractive matte-finish surfaces. This medal was awarded by the American Jersey Cattle Club to cows who passed certain production marks, thus placing them on the "Register of Merit," thus the "R of M" on the reverse inscription. Another version of this medal was produced, with an integral loop, featuring the same obverse portrait but lacking the charming reverse scene, with was replaced with a text-only reverse die. Undoubtedly very rare; the first I've encountered in-hand or in the marketplace. A nice addition to any American gold medal collection...Sold

1892 Buffalo Bill's Wild West Co. "Merit" medal. Bronze, 38 mm. Choice About Uncirculated. Nice glossy mahogany brown with lacquered surfaces, likely lacquered at the time of issue. Sharp and attractive with no notable surface issues. A handsome portrait medal of Buffalo Bill Cody, struck for distribution as prizes during the six-month 1892 London showing of "Buffalo Bill's Wild West," the most famous of the late 19th century traveling Western shows. Annie Oakley was a cast member at this time, along with dozens of Native Americans, cowboys, sharpshooters, and others. While Buffalo Bill remains one of the most famous characters from the Old West, numismatic mementoes of him (and this era in general) are few and far between. This little-known medal is quite scarce; if it was more common, it would likely be in higher demand...$650

Choice 1758/1759 Betts-419 Medal

1759 Victories medal, Victories of 1758 and 1759. Bronze, 43 mm. Betts-419. Choice About Uncirculated. A superb example of this important French and Indian War-era Betts medal, muling the reverse of the 1758 Victories medal and the reverse of the 1759 Victories medal into a single production that showcases the most important British victories of the Seven Years War. Among those mentioned that took place in the American theatre are: Louisbourg, Fort Frontenac, Fort Duqesne (Pittsburgh), Quebec, Niagara, Crown Point, and Guadeloupe. The surfaces show an appealing mingling of original golden brassy color at the peripheries with mellowed medium brown, highly lustrous and free of issues. This is perhaps the finest example of this medal I've owned, with better surfaces than the Adams example at $805; this sort of quality would be called Choice Mint State by the vast majority of those who examined it. This muling is scarcer than either of the issues that precede it (Betts-416 and Betts-418). A stellar example for a connoisseur quality Betts medal cabinet...$875

1758 Victories medal. Bronze, 43 mm. Betts-416. About Uncirculated. A handsome example of this popular Betts medal, one that recalls the red-letter victories at Louisbourg, Fort Frontenac on Lake Ontario, Fort Duquesne (also known as Pittsburgh), and others during the campaign of 1758. Rich original golden color frames both sides, toned down to pleasing brown in the fields. Very little wear is seen, some light hairlines in the fields, some trivial pinscratches noted under magnified scrutiny in the left obverse and left reverse fields. A very pleasing medal, not far removed from the look of the Adams specimen that realized $1150...$675

(ca. 1850s-60s) Sacramento Agricultural & Horticultural Exhibition award medal. Silver, 39 mm. Extremely Fine. Light golden toning hugs the peripheries, where bright lustrous flash remains strong. The fields show evidence of handling, with light marks and hairlines suggesting pocket piece use, maybe even currency wear. The central reverse is engraved "Messrs. S. Horney & Co," an Indiana agricultural firm that made plows, among other things. The S&H F. signature under SACRAMENTO CITY is that of Smith and Hartmann. Noted collector Alan Weinberg owns the uninscribed gem specimen from the Ford collection and notes "I've never seen nor heard of another in silver," quite a testament from such a collector of long-standing. Ford also owned bronze and white metal medals from this fair from completely different dies; they too are quite rare. Early California exhibition medals are avidly sought among the agricultural medal genre, and this one is rarer than most...Sold

The Beautiful Norweb 1796 Repub Ameri Token

1796 Repub. Ameri token or "penny." Bronzed copper, 33 mm. Baker-68, Breen-1275. Choice Mint State. Beautiful deep chocolate brown with fully reflective bronzed surfaces. Essentially gem, with just a few spare hairlines visible under a glass. Included in the Breen Encyclopedia and the Dalton and Hamer conder token reference, this piece has long been collected as a coin or token. This 1796-dated piece was struck to mark the retirement of Washington from the Presidency, a revolutionary development for the new nation; a similar piece (Baker-69) was struck in 1800 to memorialize Washington's passing. This variety seems a bit scarcer than Baker-69 today; both are rare, even rarer in this illustrious grade. I first saw this piece in the summer of 2006 when it emerged from the trunk that contained the Norweb collection of Washingtoniana; it was still in its original pink (for copper) Norweb envelope at the time. This piece brought $4,600 in the November 2006 Norweb sale, catalogued by American Numismatic Rarities and sold after the merger with Stack's. It reappeared in the September 2009 Stack's Americana sale; it again brought $4,600. It is now on the market again after having most recently resided in the famed Cardinal Collection. The original Norweb envelope and two lot tickets are still with it...$4,600

(ca. second quarter 19th century?) Ceramic portrait of George Washington after the 1805 Daniel Eccleston medal. Pottery in black lacquer frame, 99 mm. Essentially as issued. Though I've seen and handled a lot of Washington portraits based on famous medallic images, made in everything from glass to red wax to porcelain, I've never seen or handled anything like this. The medium is some sort of unglazed earthenware with a surface almost like fine stucco. It has been painted, perhaps a bit amateurishly, in white (for the hair), blue (for the uniform coat) and red and gold at the epaulet, along with some black highlighting. The portrait is obviously that of the Eccleston medal, which I've had in other non-medallic forms, but not this one. Two small edge chips are mostly hidden by the black lacquer frame at 10:00 and 11:00. It's a little crude but very attractive; it is definitely distinctive. I'm sure it's quite old, though dating this sort of thing is difficult with precision. It has not been examined out of the frame. Cheaper than an Eccleston medal, but probably a hundred times rarer...$595

Very Rare 1824 Washington/Lafayette Silver Medalet

1824 Washington / Lafayette silver medalet. Silver, 14.5 mm. Baker-198A. Choice Very Fine. A rare, if tiny, entry into the early Washingtoniana series, struck from dies by Joseph Lewis in 1824 to celebrate the triumphant return of Lafayette to America. The dies are best known as counterstamps, found mostly on large cents and, more rarely, half dollars. Occasionally, these tiny stand-alone medals turn up. One is known struck in gold, just a handful are known struck in silver, as here. This one, like others I've seen, was once mounted at 12:00; it is possible that all were. This example shows pleasing and smooth surfaces toned deep gray with golden highlights. The portraits are clear and the legends are intact, as is the 1824 date. A short old scratch over LA of LAFAYETTE is noted, only trivial handling marks otherwise present. This piece comes with a Steve Tanenbaum 2X2 revealing an august provenance: ex. F.C.C. Boyd-John J. Ford, Jr.-Irvin Schuster, the latter personage a well-known name among Washingtoniana fans for the large collection he formed (perhaps the largest ever), though it was sold privately through Dave Bowers and Tanenbaum. This piece was not present in the Ford II Washingtoniana sale; that offering included just the rare uniface Washington impression from these dies. This example is the Rulau-Fuld plate coin on page 95. Steve got $1300 (he asked $1600) for this several years ago, and it is priced at $1000 in VF in Rulau, a reference where many prices can safely have a zero added on the end today. Rarely encountered in any grade, this one is a prize...Sold

1863 Lt. Gen T.J. "Stonewall" Jackson medal. Tin, 50 mm. About Uncirculated. Ranked number 74 among the 100 Greatest American Medals and Tokens, the Stonewall Jackson medal has an historic distinction: the only one of the bunch authorized from the Confederate States of America. While in France on the official business of the state of Georgia in 1863, Savannah merchant and Confederate officer Charles Augustus Lafayette Lamar hired Paris Mint engraver Auguste Caque to create a memorial medal for General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. The medals arrived in Wilmington, NC in 1864 (Savannah was blockaded), and most of the mintage remained hidden away until two barrels full (!) were found in 1894 and marketed by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Confederate Veterans Association. Having been stored in muggy Savannah, most were heavily tinpested, but somehow this one survived with a good deal of prooflike brilliance remaining. Some light hairlines are seen, but the surfaces are nicer (and flashier) than any specimen of this medal I've owned. A few little rim nicks are present atop the obverse and at the bottom of that side; the 19th century owner of this medal displayed it (and the rest of his substantial collection of ca. 1860-80 tokens and medals) on a wooden board, held in place with nails. I've never seen a perfect specimen of this medal, and I'd rather own this one than most...$525

1903 State Department Lifesaving medal. Julian LS-3. Gold, 35 mm. Choice About Uncirculated. Original rim mount, hanger bar, and pin present. A gorgeous example, with more reflective character left in the fields than any example of this type I've previously offered. Deeply prooflike on both sides, with rich yellow gold surfaces showing light marks and hairlines, but none of the polishing that plagues this issue. The reverse is finely engraved "To J SHADWICK, Seamen of the British Steamship Westhall, in recognition of his heroic services in effecting the rescue of the Captain and crew of the American schooner Anna L. Mulford, Jan. 25, 1903." The captain of the Mulford, named Hentge, endured a mutiny and attack by his crew; despite a chance to leave the vessel, he stayed until the steamer Westhall took him and his crew to London. This medal was given to a member of the Westhall's crew. A small, removable inventory number is seen on the back of the bar. While the LS-3 is more common than some other US Mint gold lifesaving medals, they are rarely found this nice...$3,750

1860 First Japanese Embassy medal. Bronze, 76 mm. Julian CM-23. Choice Mint State. By Anthony C. Paquet. Attractive gold and mahogany patina with deep blue toning around devices. Smooth and lustrous, impeccably struck and preserved, just a single old nick under PR of PRESIDENT. This medal was struck to mark the first visit of Japanese ambassadors to Washington, following up on Commodore Matthew Perry's 1854 visit and treaty signing. The original obverse die by Salathiel Ellis broke in early 1860, and this replacement die was created in mid-year. Just 156 were struck from these dies, all in bronze...$1,875

1808 Washington Benevolent Society medal. Silver, 42 mm. Julian RF-23, Baker-327. Very Fine. Holed as issued. A pleasantly worn example of this classic early Washington medal, engraved by John Reich and struck at the US Mint. A smattering of tiny marks are seen over both sides, indicative of a medal that was worn and displayed for years. The Washington Benevolent Society of Philadelphia was still actively meeting in 1824 when President John Quincy Adams accompanied Lafayette to a meeting, against his better judgement, so it's quite possible this medal (struck for the New York society) was still being worn two decades after its production. Despite the various old marks, the surfaces boast strong originality and a great look, making this an attractive and collectible piece...$750

1875 Lingg and Brother Jewelers storecard / 99th Anniversary of Independence medalet. White metal, 23 mm. Miller-317, Slabaugh-1 Choice Mint State. Plain edge. Holed as issued, original bright blue ribbon still present. One of seemingly hundreds of Centennial-era muling by the Lingg firm in Philadelphia, this one pairs the most popular obverse -- that of the Libertas Americana medal -- with a reverse that actually marks the 1875 celebration of the 99th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This medalet was actually given away to the schoolchildren present who sang the Star-Spangled Banner, tied to a flower bouquet. Whichever kid received this one was clearly a burgeoning young numismatist, as it has been nicely preserved with full lustre, prooflike surfaces, no tinpest, and just one little cut on the obverse rim near 8:00. A beautiful example from this practice run for the Centennial...Hold

1849 Salem (MA) Charitable Mechanic Association medal. Bronze, 44 mm. Julian AM-77. Mint State. Rich mahogany surfaces are a bit lustrous on the obverse, more mattelike on the reverse. A few old spots are seen in the left obverse field, otherwise problem free. An interesting rarity, rated Rarity-8 by Carl Carlson. Two have appeared at auction in recent years, both uninscribed bronze strikes like this one. A number of silver medals were apparently struck for the first exhibition of the Salem Charitable Mechanic Association in 1849, but neither Carlson or Julian had ever seen one, nor have I. Julian notes that in 1875 the SCMA wrote the Mint about the dies but were told they didn't have them, engraver Francis Mitchell did. Julian also mentions "it is presumed that all medals were struck prior to 1854." The design is a distinctive one, showing a Hercules-like figure atop a conquered dragon while boys carry apples in the background. One boy, climbing a tree, tosses a piece of fruit down to another -- this is surely the only Mint medal depicting tree-climbing. A rare entry among US Mint agricultural medals...$475

1851 Robert M. Patterson Mint Director medal. Julian MT-2. Bronze, 65 mm. About Uncirculated. Dies by C.C. Wright. Just the lightest whisper of cabinet friction on the highest point of Patterson's portrait away from Mint State. A rare and important Mint medal, depicting Robert Maskell Patterson on the occasion of his retirement from his 16 year term as Director of the Mint. According to Carl Carlson's figures, just 28 pieces were struck in bronze, including the bronze that ended up in Patterson's personal collection (which I was recently able to place privately, in its entirety). Patterson's piece showed evidence of handling -- one can imagine his grandkids fiddling with it -- and this one does too, with a thin old horizontal scratch in the right obverse field, a dull mark left of R of REGARD on the reverse, and a longer dull mark below 1851 to the right of MINT on the reverse. The surfaces are highly lustrous, light brown with hints of gold and blue, rich with visual appeal.This medal is the only one in the whole Mint medal catalogue that actually depicts a Mint Act, in this case the Act of 1837, which utterly overhauled American coinage. For anyone who collects Seated Liberty coinage, that fact alone makes this a highly desirable medal. The only truly choice example of this medal I've ever seen was in the Harry Bass Collection. This one is the pretties one I've owned, Patterson's own included...$625

1847 Zachary Taylor / Battle of Monterrey medal. Bronze, 65 mm. Julian MI-23. About Uncirculated. Attractive even mahogany brown. A good looking piece, despite a few marks in the fields and some rim scuffs on the obverse near 4:00 and 10:00. Though misspelled "Monterey" on the medal, this piece marks the September 1846 battle just 100 miles beyond the Rio Grande, the first major battle of the war. Zachary Taylor was voted a gold medal from Congress for the victory, and his medal from these precise dies was present in the Ford Collection, bringing $37,375, arguably a bargain for a Congressional Gold medal awarded to a future president. Just 138 were struck in bronze...$725

1739 Admiral Vernon at Portobello medal. Pinchbeck, 38 mm. Betts-180, Adams-Chao PBv 17-N, McCormick-Goodhart 26. Rarity-6. Extremely Fine or nearly so. One of the most distinctive pieces in the wide-ranging Vernon series, showing a left-facing profile of Vernon and the simple legend ADMIRAL VERNON TOOK PORTO BELLO. Smooth chocolate brown with golden highlights in protected areas, good gloss, little chip from left obverse field and reverse rim near 11:00, a bit of darker toning at Vernon's elbow. Struck in coin turn. A good-looking major type that is tough to find in better grade...$575

(ca. 1880s) Eastern Maine State Fair award medal. Gilt silver, 51 mm. Mint State. Bright reflective gilding in rich yellow gold covers both sides. Some light hairlines, no significant marks or damage, just a lovely medal. The distant background of the obverse shows the Maine state capitol building at Bangor, along with the fairgrounds and a steam locomotive, while the foreground shows a panoply of chubby farm animals, even a turkey and a couple chickens, along with some implements of the trade. Uninscribed, perhaps as awarded. PCAC's Auction 77 included a silver piece, with mention of just one other silver specimen seen (in the 1999 Auction 65); no one seems to have seen a gilt one before. A rare and attractive late 19th century agricultural medal in eye-catching gilding...$375

1884 World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition medal. Bronze, 73 mm. Mint State. An impressive large medal from this post-Reconstruction Southern exposition, sponsored by the National Cotton Planters Association, whose motto "Cotton and Grain, Allies Not Enemies" appears at the base of the reverse. The backstory of the World's Cotton Centennial is a dramatic one, including a leading role by Edward Burke, the man behind the Louisiana Baby Bonds who would be exiled to Honduras within a few years. Despite Congressional backing, the exposition was something of a flop. The medals, struck by Krider of Philadelphia, are impressive though, with hidden railroads and a liberty cap among other symbols in the obverse device. The surfaces are somewhat lustrous medium brown with hints of faded mint color. A little minor spotting is present at left obverse, reverse planchet uneven as struck, causing a rippled look. An interesting exposition medal...Hold

Scarce and Historic 1854 Commodore Matthew C. Perry Medal

1854 Commodore Matthew C. Perry medal. Bronze, 63 mm. Julian PE-26. Mint State. One of the classic American naval medals, though classed under Personal Medals by Julian. Beautiful glossy chocolate brown with a superb high relief portrait of Perry. The surfaces are even and attractive, with just a couple little spots, including one at his chin and one between RE of COMMODORE. No rim damage or notable marks, just a few minute nicks on the interior raised rim near 9:00 on the obverse. Just 104 pieces were struck in bronze, along with about 20 in silver and one in gold. Silver pieces have brought in the upper $20,000s recently in separate sales at Heritage and Sotheby's, and copper pieces continue to be popular in the marketplace. This medal was struck in 1856, commissioned by merchants in Boston who were appreciative of Perry's efforts to open Japan to Western trade and diplomacy. His historic journeys have been well documented, and he remains a legendary figure in Japan today. This handsome medal would be a fine addition to any collection focused on naval history...$1625

1871 New York Sangerfest / Seated Liberty medalet. Brass, 26 mm. Extremely Fine. Integral loop at 12:00. Even glossy golden olive brown with smooth surfaces and excellent eye appeal. Only minor marks, one little rim nick above 9:00 on the reverse. A nifty little medalet, one of dozens struck to mark sangerfests (German singing festivals) in the late 19th century. The series is undercollected, but the German language inscriptions and sometimes uninteresting designs don't help them much. This one is an exception, with the obverse displaying a somewhat crude (but totally charming) depiction of Gobrecht's Seated Liberty. One wonders if the German-Americans who made this medal consciously chose a form of Liberty accomplished by another German-American. Another German-American named Augsburger gave this type some notoriety when he acquired a specimen from me and proceeded to brag about what a great deal he got. Thanks to Len, I have raised the price. Thanks Len!...$225

(ca. 1880) San Francisco Mechanic's' Institute medal. Bronze, 46 mm. Choice About Uncirculated. Uninscribed. Rich lustrous chocolate brown with excellent eye appeal. Some light scattered marks, more on reverse than obverse, a few little rim ticks, very nice overall. The engraver of this medal covered all the bases in the design, including a railroad locomotive, painter's palette, a ship, an anvil, grain, even Alcatraz Island way off in the distance on the right obverse horizon. The same engraver also hedged his bets in terms of punctuation, including an apostrophe before the S in MECHANICS and one after it too, reminiscent of Bojangles grammatical confusion. Bronze specimens of this medal are typically encountered unengraved, probably as awarded; this medal also exists in silver and gold...$350

1853 Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations medal. Bronze, 57 mm. Julian AM-16. By C.C. Wright. About Uncirculated. Glossy chocolate brown with smooth, ideal surfaces. A few little marks, scrape in left obverse field, single tiny rim tick at 9:00 on raised reverse rim. The initial order for medals for this New York exhibition requested 125 silver and 1150 bronze, which Julian note were struck "after working hours." Given the scarcity of the bronze ones today, it does not seem likely to me that all 1150 were issued -- if so, they'd be everywhere, and they're actually relatively scarce. This fair featured the New York Crystal Palace and is best remembered for the debut of the modern elevator...$525

(ca. 1889) Georgetown University General Chemistry prize medal. Silver, 41 mm. Original grip ring mount remains. About Uncirculated. Brilliant silver, lightly polished and showing hairlines but still very attractive, bits of blue and violet toning gathers at peripheries and around devices. A charming and well executed academic medal, using the obverse designed for Georgetown's 1889 centennial medal. Interestingly (and little pointed out in numismatic circles), the motto of Georgetown University is UTRAQUE UNUM or "both one." If that looks familiar, it's because it appears on the Pillar dollar. While the Georgetown centennial medal does turn up from time to time (it is not common, but neither is it a great rarity), the academic awards using this obverse are fairly scarce and turn up in the numismatic marketplace infrequently...$295

1847 Franklin Institute Second Premium medal by Christian Gobrecht. Bronze, 51 mm. Julian AM-18. Choice About Uncirculated. Rich chocolate brown bronzing is even and beautiful, free of significant marks and showing just a little surface cloudiness. Glossy and boldly detailed, ideal eye appeal. This is the second place medal given by the Franklin Institute annually, struck by the US Mint and sharing a Franklin-portrait obverse with the silver first place medals. This reverse was used only for copper medals, which are actually a bit scarcer than the silver ones. This particularly example was awarded to "Wetherill & Brothers / Philada Pa / for / Chemicals." The Wetherill family is most remembered for their work in zinc mining, but numismatists may also recall one of their employees, Joseph Wharton, who left the company to invest in nickel, which he helped make one of the few metals used for United States coinage. A fine looking Franklin portrait medal with an interesting backstory...$525

An Early 19th Century US Mint Agricultural Medal Rarity

(ca. 1822?) Agricultural Society of Philadelphia Second Premium medal. Bronze, 51 mm. Julian AM-71. About Uncirculated or better. Called Rarity-8 in Joe Levine's sale 77, which included the best cataloguing effort this very rare medal has ever seen. Joe noted that in his extensive database, which goes back to the day after Moses descended from Sinai, he located just two previous auction appearances of this medal: a spotted AU (almost certainly this piece) in his 1983 Auction 34 and a corroded EF/AU in his 2005 Auction 74. So we can list three confirmed bronze sightings from these dies. The related Julian AM-73 is first known dated 1823; the society first held fairs in 1822, so these dies probably date from about this era, making them one of the earliest entries in the US Agricultural medal series. In 1860, James Ross Snowden noted that the first prize (with a different reverse die, Julian AM-73) had been engraved by "Schormann," seemingly a reference to Ernest Chormann, who flourished decades after the 1820s and seems an unlikely choice to have engraved these dies. In 1862, Alfred Satterlee catalogued a specimen from these dies in one of his collection sales. The Agricultural Society of Philadelphia, also known as the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture, issued gold medals as early as 1785. Those earliest medals, engraved rather than die struck, are not known to have survived. I know of just one awarded silver medal, struck from the first prize reverse die and dated 1855, in the collection of Alan V. Weinberg. As a very early US Mint medal, this rarity is sorely underappreciated -- it is one of those things that would be better known and more desirable if the population increased tenfold. The surfaces are highly reflective, pleasantly toned medium brown, clearly coined before the late 1830s and Franklin Peale's experiments with bronzing. The large upper obverse field shows a significant scattering of light marks, and a spot is noted at PH(IA) of PHILADELPHIA. The reverse also shows scattered marks, minor hairlines, and a line of spotting across the center of the unengraved field. The eye appeal remains nice, and its tough to be too picky about condition with a medal this rare. The sharpness is excellent, nicely showcasing the charming design. A prize for early American agricultural medal enthusiasts...Hold

(ca. 1890) Champion Afro-American Orator, State of Iowa medal. Gilt brass, 38 x 25 mm. About Uncirculated or better. With original suspension loop. A very unusual little prize medal, awarded to "JLT," whose initials are neatly if shallowly engraved atop the obverse. The whole medal is engraved, unsigned and unmarked. The only historical reference I could locate to this competition comes from The White Negro by M.W. Thornton, written when the author was 18, about the same time he won this prize "contesting with opponents from five to seven years older in age and experience." Thornton won his medal in December 1892, and presumably this is from about the same era. Rev. Thorton's book on America's race problem was published in 1894. Though his biography refers to the Champion Afro-American Orator prize as "a gold medal," this piece appears to have no precious metal content. As interesting as it is obscure...$185

Rare and Impressive A. Loudon Snowden Medal

1880 A. Loudon Snowden Superintendant medal. Bronze, 80 mm. Julian MT-14. Choice Mint State. A massive and impressive portrait medal from the not-so-modest Superintendent of the Philadelphia Mint. The surfaces show light mahogany bronzing typical of the era, still reflective and enriched with rose and blue highlights. The portrait and edges are both in remarkable relief, making it somewhat surprising that neither has picked up contact marks. A minor line of contact points is noted off Snowden's forehead, otherwise this piece is as choice as could be hoped for. A single tiny spot is present off his chin. Julian lists six different medals for A. Loudon Snowden, including three (!) different obverse portraits. This one, by Charles Barber and signed by him under the bust, is a nude bust, while the others show Snowden in a business suit. All nicely capture his capacious mustache. The reverse lists something approaching a resume with peripheral inscription "Presented by the Officers of the US Mint, Phila. May 7 1880." The mintage reports are not clear as to which variety of Snowden medal was struck in what batch -- 12 were coined in 1880/81, 10 more in 1882/83, with a total of 53 through 1904. Those 53 medals were divided among six varieties, clearly making each a rarity. Snowden was clearly a real piece of work, engaging in assault by umbrella and causing pieces de caprices like the 1884 and 1885 Trade dollars to be struck. I haven't seen another example of this rare medal in the last decade. It would make an outstanding association piece for any pattern or contrived rarity struck under Snowden's dictatorial reign over the Philadelphia Mint...$1150

1763 Treaty of Paris medal. Betts-unlisted, Van Loon Supplement 367, Pax in Nummis 594. Silver, 44 mm. About Uncirculated. Chiefly brilliant silver with hints of faint golden toning, richest at rims. Lightly cleaned eons ago, with some brightness and subtle hairlines noted under scrutiny. A very attractive medal by the most gifted Dutch medalists of the era, Johann Georg Holzhey. The obverse shows Mars sheathing his sword, surrounded by trophies of war, while the reverse shows Holland gesturing to Dutch ships. This medal specifically refers to an action at the end of the Seven Years War, when a group of Dutch ships in the English channel, led by Dankbaarheid, the ship of Capt. Solomon Dedels, opened fire on a group of English ships which had stopped to search them. One of the ships is labeled DANKS, an abbreviation for Dankbaarheid. This medal's allegorical reference to the end of the war should place it among the other Treaty of Paris medals of 1763. A specimen of this type was included in the Ford sale, where a polished piece brought $920...$1250

1796 (i.e. 1845-60) Castorland medal. Breen-1066. Original obverse, copy reverse. Choice Mint State. ARGENT with pointing hand on edge. A beautiful example, struck from the original 1796 obverse die by DuVivier and a copy reverse that was first placed in use upon the collapse of the original reverse ca. 1845 or so. Superlative cartwheel lustre on brilliant silver surfaces, nice bronze-colored toning at top of obverse and right periphery of reverse. Mark free, some subtle hairlines, nicely preserved. Long ignored, these restrikes are products of an original 18th century die and are just as collectible as the Comitia Americana restrikes of the same generation. Those medals, produced at the Paris Mint alongside of the Castorland pieces, now command four-figure sums for the pointing hand restrikes (ca. 1845-60). The Castorland pieces of the same era seem like bargains by comparison...$395

(ca. 1855) Sacramento City Agricultural and Horticultural Fair medal. White metal, 51 mm. By Smith and Hartmann (obverse) and Ball, Black, & Co. (reverse). Choice About Uncirculated. A similar silver medal, identical but for the absence of Sacramento City on both sides, was presented and engraved in 1853, and the 1862 Satterlee Catalogue offered one of these in both bronze and white metal, so a dating sometime in the mid-1850s makes more sense than the ca. 1870 date sometimes offered. A rare medal from early California. Ford owned two of these in white metal (one ex Brand) and two in copper; none were awarded. nor have I seen an awarded one elsewhere. James Warren, called "the Father of California Agriculture," sponsored the fair and its prize medals. He emigrated from Boston in 1849 and became the main mover and shaker in the founding of the California State Fair and the California State Agricultural Society. As one of the very earliest California medals, this type deserves a place in any collection with a Gold Rush-era focus...Sold

1873 Biennial Anniversary of the Chicago Fire / Inter-State Industrial Exposition medal. White metal, 51 mm. Obverse of Julian CM-13. Crude About Uncirculated. In 1873, the rebuilding of Chicago was complete, and the Inter-State Industrial Exposition was conceived to show it off. In 1872, the US Mint had struck a relic medal from dies by William Barber, produced from the melted down courthouse bell. The obverse, depicting a winged Victory above the ruins of the courthouse, somehow made its way outside of the Philadelphia Mint to the Inter-State Exposition, where this medal was produced from a different non Mint reverse die: MADE AT THE INTER-STATE INDUSTRIAL EXPOSITION OF CHICAGO, OCT 1873 / CHICAGO REBUILT, POP. 400,000 / IN 1823 POP. 50 / DEDICATED IN GRATITUDE TO THE WORLD. I've seen a couple of these, and they're always crudely struck, usually a bit doubled, and all have shown significant handling. The ANS has one struck in bronze, but I think most were struck on a drop-hammer or something similar in this white metal composition. The toning is dark gray with bright gold and pastel blue, high grade if bluntly struck, with a few minor marks on the raised rims. There were 500 examples of the 1872 relic medal struck, and this seems far rarer. This should probably be listed in Julian -- if Comitia Americana medals struck in Paris can be listed in there, so should medals struck in Chicago from a US Mint made and listed die. So it goes...$475

Very Rare Silver US Mint Lifesaving Medal

1929 Treasury Department Second Class Life Saving medal. Silver, 45 mm. By Anthony C. Paquet. Julian LS-10. Extremely Fine. Plain edge, pinch claw mount remains at 12:00, though hanger and jump ring are now lacking, as typically seen. Engraved on the reverse: "Marvin A. McMichen for bravely rescuing a boy from drowning, May 6, 1929." Deep natural silver gray, clearly not polished like so many but instead just left alone. Some evidence of handling, a little dirt in the intricacies, a little lighter on highpoints than elsewhere. A very elusive lifesaving medal in the marketplace. The last example to sell, a 1927-dated piece in similar grade, brought $1,425 in 2010. This example was awarded for saving six-year-old John Kowsky from the water of the Hudson River at the 79th Street boat basin on the west side of Manhattan. Still awarded by the US Coast Guard in smaller, modified form, very small numbers of this 45 mm size were distributed year to year. In the 1986 Hartzog US Mint Price Guide, Carl Carlson noted "314 and 61 struck," which I presume means 377 total. He noted just one sales record, for a 1935-dated piece, and in 1986 valued this medal at $1,750...Sold

Rare and Unusual Franklin Portrait After Nini

(ca. second quarter of the 19th century) Benjamin Franklin medallic portrait, after the 1778 Bald bust by Nini. Pressed paper in a gilt wood frame, 11.5 x 11.5" framed. Extremely Fine. A very rare and very attractive portrait of Franklin, perhaps ca. 1820-40, taken from the very rare terracotta medallion by Jean-Baptiste Nini that depicts Franklin bald-pated with long, flowing curls. Unlike the commonly encountered Nini portrait medallion that depicts Franklin with a beaver skin hat, the original form of this Nini bust is a great rarity. In spite of this, it spawned a great aftermarket of similar items, from porcelain plaques to crude metal casts to this delicate and interesting work of art. This piece was essentially struck, coin style, in a paper-like composition. This odd format was not meant to survive the centuries, and few examples of this seem to have survived. Neither Sellers (Benjamin Franklin in Portraiture) nor Greenslet (The Medals of Franklin) make mention of it, though the Nini plaques and their derivatives are covered in some detail. The only fault with this piece is a short split over Franklin's brow, almost certainly fixable in the hands of a good restorer, though I have not endeavored to examine this out of the frame. Franklin's name appears in embossing at the base of the olive-colored area, which is part of the struck Franklin portrait, not an added mat. This piece displays beautifully, and unlike so many numismatic collectibles, it would be easy to showcase in a home or office. Once sold, this is not a piece I anticipate having a chance to offer again...$1375

A Hard Times Dime?

1833 Andrew Jackson Inaugural medal. Silver, 18 mm. Julian PR-33. Very Fine. Perhaps Extremely Fine were this graded like a coin, with some vestiges of prooflike surfaces remaining in the obverse fields. Darkly toned with lighter silver high points on the high relief obverse, some hints of deep blue are present at central reverse. No bad marks, just nice normal circulation wear -- which is exactly what makes this piece interesting. While common in high grades, this medalet occasionally turns up in condition like this. The known weights for this variety are in the 38 to 43 grains range; the weight of a dime at standard was 41.6, with some variance, suggesting that these medalets were actually struck on dime planchets. Considering the Hard Times that followed, is it any surprise that some of these may have gotten spent? This coin would make as nice a complement to a collection of early dimes as it would to a collection of US Mint or Presidential medals...$175

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...Sold

(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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(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

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

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...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

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...$275

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

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

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

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

(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

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

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...Sold

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...Sold

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

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