1808 Benjamin Rush Sydenham medal. Bronze, 42 mm. Julian PE-30, Neuzil 47. Extremely Fine or nearly so. A great rarity among US Mint medals, struck shortly after Moritz Furst's arrival in the US in 1807 and apparently never restruck. In 1889, Horatio Storer, the great documenter of all medals related to medicine, noted "I have this medal of Dr. Rush both in bronze and lead. It is also at the Surgeon- General's Office at Washington, from the Lee Collection, in the former of these metals. It is very rare, and seems unknown to all numismatic writers." The reason why this medal was never restruck after its initial 1808 production run is obvious: the dies were given to the family, where they remained until 1869, when descendants donated them to the Library Company of Philadelphia. In bronze, it appears just a handful exist, almost certainly fewer than 10. Carlson found just 14 records between 1855 and 1986 in both auction and private transactions. While the Ford Collection included two in silver, that appears to be 66% of the entire known mintage! Notably, he did not own a specimen in bronze; surely had Ford had the chance to acquire one, he would have. This specimen is pleasing glossy chocolate brown with excellent definition on both sides. As perhaps expected of a medal that was issued into non-numismatic hands, there are several rim nicks, the most severe of which is near 4:00 on the obverse. On the reverse, some areas of darker toning are present, but they do not significantly distract. The legend "Read, Think, Observe," a quote from one of Rush's lectures, is still legible. Sydenham is as well, referring to Rush's home outside of Philadelphia, now in the middle of North Philly. Rush was one of the best connected of the Founding Fathers, a renowned physician, a signer of the Declaration of Independence who continued to be an important national force for decades afterwards. This medal was likely the property of one of his contemporary admirers, and its rarity even then undoubtedly made this medal an object of admiration as well...Sold

The First Washington Portrait Medal, the 1778 Voltaire Medal (Betts-544)

1778 Washington Voltaire medal. Copper, 40 mm. Betts-544, Baker-78B. Choice Mint State. Perhaps the nicest example of this medal I've handled, both in terms of technical quality and strike. The surfaces are frosty light brown with far more lustre than normally encountered, even on high grade specimens. The surfaces are free of defects or marks, just a single tiny little speck on U of GUERRIER on the reverse. The strike is precise and sharp, and the planchet shows none of the voids at central reverse that are so commonly encountered on this issue, relics of the process of casting the planchets. The rims are likewise perfect. This is the sort of quality that picky medal collectors wait for. Historically, this is one of the most important medals in the Washingtoniana canon, the very first struck to honor Washington and the only one produced during the American Revolution. Whether your speciality is Washingtoniana, Betts medals, or Americana in general, a piece of this quality and historical stature could be a centerpiece in your collection. Ranked 59th in the 100 Greatest American Tokens and Medals...Sold

(1882) U.S. Mint Lincoln and Garfield Memorial medalet. Silver, 19 mm. Julian PR-41. Proof-66 CAMEO (NGC). While my photography skills do not stand up to the test of capturing this little medal's beauty, suffice it to say this is the nicest and prettiest example I have ever handled, and it's tough to imagine a more attractively toned one extant. The Lincoln side shows impressive and rich periwinkle and royal blue toning with some paler violet in the fields, while the Garfield side is more lightly toned with peach, violet, and flecks of blue. Both sides are deeply reflective and radiantly lustrous. According to Julian, 2200 of these were struck and sold for a quarter each, a handy profit if indeed the entire mintage was sold. While many survive today, very few boast eye appeal like this one...Sold

1781 (i.e. third quarter of the 19th century) Nathanael Greene at Eutaw Springs Comitia Americana medal ELECTROTYPE. Hollow copper shells, 56.7 mm. As Betts-597. About Uncirculated. 526.7 grains. A distinctive 19th century electrotype copy of one of the classic rarities in the Comitia Americana series, formed from joined copper shells of the obverse and reverse without the typical lead center, thus creating a piece that is very sharp but also hollow and very light. The surfaces are even milk chocolate brown, smooth and glossy with unusually good eye appeal for an electrotype. A sharp dent is present in the left obverse field, and the reverse fields show some waviness. The edge seam is easily seen with the naked eye. Only 25 pieces were struck in 1787, and the original dies were never used for restrikes, thus leaving the Nathanael Greene as one of the uncollectible Comitia Americana medals (though original specimens do occasionally turn up at auction). Most collectors pursuing the Comitia Americana set settle for either one of the pieces produced at the US Mint from copy dies ca. 1890 or an electrotype such as this. Few electrotypes are this sharp or attractive...Sold

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

1882 West Virginia State Fair and Exposition Association, Wheeling prize medal. Engraved on planed down U.S. Trade dollar. Named to A[lonzo].R. Gayhart for Fruit Evaporators. Choice About Uncirculated. A beautifully accomplished piece, with just the ghostly relief of the seated Liberty of the obverse of the Trade dollar still visible (her head is at ar of "awarded"). The rims and edge have been left alone, with the centers lathed down to create a reflective, smooth place to engrave: "WEST VA. STATE FAIR and Exposition Association / Wheeling" on one side and "Awarded to A.R. GAYHART 1882 FRUIT EVAPORATORS" on the other. The work is nicely done, the surfaces are lustrous and show an abundance of attractive gold and pastel toning. This shows no signs of damage or polishing, just benign neglect. Alonzo Gayhart was from Chicago and trotted his fruit drying machine all over the place, winning a prize at a fair in Ontario the same year. While fruit evaporating machines may not be terribly sexy, a wholly engraved agricultural medal on a Trade dollar is a pretty distinctive item -- the Trade dollar was worth about 80 cents in commerce at this point. This is the first such item I've encountered...Sold

The Greatest Bathroom-Related Medal Ever Struck

1933 Huey Long Toliet Seat medal. Golden bronze, 38 x 33 mm. Choice Mint State. With loop, as issued. One of the most famous medals of the 20th century, depicting a bathroom brawl in high Art Deco style. Senator Huey Long, Louisiana's famous "Kingfish," attended a party at the tony Sands Point Country Club on Long Island on August 26, 1933. He was, at the time, one of the nation's most famous men: brash, flashy, loud, corrupt as all hell. While "paying his water bill" in the men's room, the inebriated Long is thought to have accidentally baptized a pantleg that was not his own. He left the WC with an empty bladder and a black eye. This medal has been written about more than any other medal of its era, from Coin World columns by Dave Bowers to modern popular biographies of Long to contemporary news reports. It would be a conversation starter in any cabinet...Sold

Rare 1760 Canada Subdued Medal With Engraved Edge

1760 Canada Subdued medal. Copper, 39 mm. Betts-430. About Uncirculated. WILLIAM PITT ADMINISTRING edge. Rich chocolate brown with darker toning at peripheries and abundant reflectivity remaining in the fields. Somewhat woodgrained on the obverse, some nice hints of pale blue and gold in the fields, harmless old buildup around peripheral beading and legends. Some evidence of handling is seen, a single thin horizontal hairline in central left obverse field, nothing else of much consequence. The Canada Subdued, as a type, is one of the scarcer entries in the SPAC (Society for Promoting Arts and Commerce, also known as the Royal Society for Arts) series of the Seven Years War. It is the latest dated of the short and attractive set, which began with the 1758 Louisbourg Taken medal and followed the war to Quebec, Montreal, and non-American locales such as Goree, Guadeloupe, Belle Isle, and Pondicherry. Beyond the attractive eye appeal and popular, evocative types of this medal (the only one which shows a creeping beaver behind a weeping Canadienne, to my knowledge) is its rare edge, which is seen on a decent sized proportion of silver strikings (maybe a third? maybe a quarter?) but hardly ever seen on bronze pieces. LaRiviere did not own a single bronze SPAC medal with the WILLIAM PITT ADMINSTRING edge; Ford owned two Quebec Takens in bronze with the edge but no other bronzes; Adams had a few silvers with this edge but none in bronze. I can find record of no other Canada Subdued medal with anything but a plain edge, making this something of a rarity. With the French and Indian War medals of LaRiviere, Ford, and Adams all dispersed, there aren't many other old-time collections where one could be lurking...Sold

Used in New York ca. 1640, Inspiration to Congress ca. 1774

Netherlands, Dordrecht.1590 jeton. Silver, 28 mm. Dugniolle-3256. Choice About Uncirculated or better. Beautiful dusky old toning blends gold, rose, pale blue, and violet over light silver gray surfaces, still rich with lustre. A superb example, showing no post-striking flaws and just some forgivable planchet fissures in the lower reverse. Better struck than the only other silver example of this historic jeton I've had the pleasure of offering, a piece that sold quickly after I offered it last year. As I noted in cataloguing that piece, this is a "fascinating issue, both allegorically and archaeologically. The central device on the obverse depicts six hands grasping the same Liberty-cap topped pillar, representing the six provinces united under Prince Maurice. This device was copied, legends and all, on a rare August 1775 $10 note of North Carolina. While the distance from Netherlands in 1590 to North Carolina during the American Revolution may seem unbridgeable, archaeology has given us a very important middle step: a specimen of this exact jeton (in bronze) discovered in a mid 17th century context in Lower Manhattan at a site known as Heerman's Warehouse. Augustine Heermans operated a trading post at Pearl and Whitehall Streets that dealt in furs, tobacco, and slaves, among other things. The ANS also makes note of the Heerman's Warehouse find along with cataloguing their specimen. If the only American relevance of this piece was the fact that it served as design inspiration for the 1775 North Carolina note, that would be enough to make it cool. That the same image also served as the first seal of the Continental Congress, appearing on the title page of the first published proceedings of the Congress in 1774 makes it even cooler. Add to that the fact that one of these jetons remains the oldest dated object (numismatic or otherwise!) ever found in an archaeological context in New York City makes this a piece of multi-faceted interest. It doesn't hurt that it's also rare and beautiful...Sold

1797 (i.e. ca. 1807) Washington Sansom medal. Baker-71A, Julian PR-1. Copper, 41 mm. Choice Extremely Fine. Very attractive smooth light and medium brown with only minor handling. Some tiny scattered nicks and specks here and there, nothing offensive either individually or on the whole. The rims are nice and the color and surfaces are pleasing. A popular medal, both at the time of issuance and now. This piece is an early striking, as discerned from its thin planchet and unbronzed surfaces; it was likely struck at or near the time of this medal's introduction into the marketplace. As one of the first works accomplished by John Reich at the US Mint, it sees steady demand from Federal coin collectors as well as enthusiasts of Washingtoniana and American historical medals...Sold

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

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

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

(ca. 1862) Washington Birth/Death medalet. Baker-155, Julian PR-26. Silver, 19 mm. MS-63 (NGC). A popular little medalet from the years of the Civil War, when numismatic interest in medallic portraits of Washington was at its peak. Superb reflective surfaces show bold cartwheel lustre. Essentially brilliant, bright and crisp in appearance with just a few minor lines and contact points in the field. The reverse is nicely cameo in contrast. The last one of these I had sold quickly...Sold

1876 Southern States Agricultural and Industrial Exposition medal. Silver, 46 mm. Extremely Fine. A rare award medal from this little appreciated New Orleans exposition, held 1874 to 1876. This medal is a bit handled and worn, with deep gray toning that can't hide reflective surfaces and subtle multicolored highlights. There are some minor scattered marks and light rim bruises, none individually serious. The reverse inscription reads "1876 / Windsor Manor / Pickles / Purity - Flavor - Elegance / Duvivier & Co / NY." Windsor Manor Pickles were a brand name of Duvivier & Co, based in New York City. While this medal type, depicting Ceres in elegant classical form, would be a nice addition to an agricultural medal collection, why not start a collection of pickle-related numismatic items today?...Sold

1841 John Tyler Indian Peace medal. Bronze, 62 mm. Julian IP-22. Mint State. Lovely even light mahogany patina with excellent surface quality. Just a few little obverse specks, perfect wire rim, no real flaws. A scarce entry in the Indian Peace medal series. Struck from the post-1846 reverse die. A nicely preserved medium size Indian Peace medal from "His Accidency," one of the least known of the Virginia Dynasty of Presidents (but the only one with a surviving grandson)...Sold

Superb Eccleston Medal, Ex. Ford Collection

1805 Eccleston medal. Bronze, 76 mm. Baker-85. Mint State. A beautiful example of this singularly popular portrait medal of Washington. I've had a number of these (though it's probably been a year since I had one and several years since I had one this nice), and they always sell quickly, often to collectors who desire to own very few Washington medals. This one has one of the best paper trails (Eccleston corresponded with the paperwork-hoarding Jefferson, who also had this medal hanging on his wall at Monticello), and bears the largest portrait of Washington of any medal from this early era. The present specimen shows nice lustrous surfaces and no noticeable friction, just a few little marks and an old smudge in the left obverse field. Some blue and violet appears in the lustrous fields, blending with light brown and olive. Just a speck or two of inactive verdigris is present at LAND on the reverse, and the typical planchet texture (the planchets were cast, to allow for the high-relief portrait) is seen just in the lowest spots of the reverse. A really beautiful medal, this would fit as well into your collection as it did into John Ford's...Sold

Extremely Rare 1840 American Anti-Slavery Society Medal

1840 American Anti-Slavery Society medal. White metal, 46 mm. About Uncirculated. Dies signed BRIDGENS N. YORK for William Bridgens. There is a certain class of numismatic items that would be far more valuable if they were more common. This medal is one of them. It has been missing from just about every major American medal collection ever formed, most notably including the F.C.C. Boyd and John Ford collections, whose breadth and depth is unrivaled among 20th century holdings. It has been published numismatically just once, and not since 1858's An Arrangement of the Tradesmen's Cards, Political Tokens, Election Medals, etc by Charles I. Bushnell. This medal was issued by the American Anti-Slavery Society, founded by the famed William Lloyd Garrison, a name just about every American history student has heard of. This medal spells out the society's credo and goals: "Immediate Emancipation / No Concealment / No Compromise." The reverse quotes the society's Declaration of Sentiments: "Our object is the peaceful speedy and total abolition of slavery, our trust for victory is solely in God." Such sentiments were radical in 1840; indeed, they were fairly radical 20 years later. Bushnell describes the obverse types as "A full length figure of Minerva, holding a staff surmounted by the cap of Liberty. To the staff is appended a flag inscribed, 'No concealment, no compromise.' By her side, the Muse of History holding an open volume, to which she points with her right hand." There is a specimen of this medal in the ANS collection described as silver, but its weight (26 grams vs. 30 grams for this white metal example) suggests it is likely the same composition as this. The only other specimens we have traced are the ones in the Presidential Coin and Antique's Auction 79 of June 2009 and the one mentioned in Bushnell; the piece seen by Bushnell before 1858 could be either the ANS piece, the PCAC piece, or this one. When I asked Joe Levine about this medal, he said the one he offered in 2009 was the only one he had ever seen. In the catalogue description, he noted "This is a rare medal and one which we have not seen before. It is one of only a handful of known American anti-slavery pieces and is surely among the rarest." The present specimen show bright gleaming reflective white metal surfaces, somewhat abraded as if carried as a pocket piece for a brief time. The rims are sound and the surfaces are free of tin pest. The visual appeal is quite nice. The PCAC 79 piece was in a similar state, though slightly bent. If John Ford were alive, he would probably be the first to call to order this...Sold

1918 Williams College World War I Veterans medal by James Earle Fraser. Bronze, 73 mm. About Uncirculated. A classic piece of American medallic art, designed and engraved by the designer of the beloved Buffalo nickel on behalf of Williams College in Massachusetts. As described in The Numismatist in November 1919, "The obverse of the medal shows a line of steel-helmeted doughboys, rifles in hand, with bayonets fixed, about to go over the top. It is a spirited handling of the subject, the play of bayonets being especially animated. The legend, 'For Humanity, 1918,' appears on this side of the medal. On the reverse is an imaginary portrait of Col. Ephraim Williams, the founder of the college, on horseback, in the uniform of a Continental officer. The Latin words, transcribed from the seal of the college, 'E Liberalitate E Williams Armigeri 1793,' are on the upper circumference, and 'The Williams Medal' on the lower circumference." The description above is a bit off: the reverse actually depicts Williams at Lake George in 1755, so he is in the uniform of a French and Indian War officer, not a Continental officer. A total of 1726 pieces were distributed to Williams College men who served in World War I, and most saw non-numismatic handling. This one shows some rub and thin patina on the obverse highpoints and a few trivial marks, including a tiny rim tick at 2:00 on the obverse. The piece is named on the rim to "Robert Longyear, 2nd Lt," a mining executive who was the President of the still-surviving family drilling equipment company. This medal's combination of bold World War I iconography with an attractive French and Indian War depiction by one of the most famous US Mint engravers makes it appropriate for inclusion in a wide range of collections...Sold

(ca. 1859) Washington's Headquarters at Tappan medalet by George Lovett. White metal, 32 mm. Baker-178D. MS-62 (NGC). Bright and fully lustrous, with reflective surfaces showing only trivial marks. A few unimportant hairlines are seen on the reverse. This muling is related to the Augustus B. Sage Historical Series, where this obverse was used on Number 10. Washingtoniana was a serious craze ca. 1860, and mulings like this found plenty of ready customers. Attractive and interesting...Sold

1848 Zachary Taylor at Buena Vista medal. Bronze, 90 mm. Julian MI-24. Mint State. Dies by Charles Cushing Wright. Choice About Uncirculated. A very nice example of this enormous medallic masterpiece. Light mahogany bronzed surfaces are smooth and attractive, perfectly choice on the reverse, just a few little marks on the obverse. A single tiny spot is present under R of CONGRESS. The rims are perfect, unusual for this large medal. I cracked this out of an NGC MS-64 holder; I'm a little pickier than they are, typically. The reverse design of this medal is as impressive as anything in the American medallic canon: regiment after regiment lines up in perfect detail, framed by two tangled rattlesnakes. 176 specimens of this medal were struck in bronze, a relatively high number compared to many 19th century US Mint medals, reflecting its popularity at the time. Only one was struck in gold, a medal that still holds the record for most valuable American medal sold at auction. This is one of those medals that has to be seen in hand to be fully appreciated...Sold

1773 William Pitt Sentimentalist Magazine medal. Silver, 26 mm. Betts-522. Choice About Uncirculated. An attractive little medalet, one of a series struck as giveaways by a popular London magazine. William Pitt's prominent voice in the Stamp Act Crisis made him extremely popular in the Colonies, and also induced Betts into including his contemporary medallic portraits in his reference. This one, struck the year of the Boston Tea Party, is a product of an era when Pitt stood out for his support of the rights of Americans as Englishmen. While copper examples of this medal are among the most common of all Betts medals, silver specimens are extremely rare. In the great plenty of the Boyd and Ford Betts medal holdings, there was just one piece, not acquired by Ford until 1973. It realized $1092.50 in 2006 despite grading just VF. This one is far nicer, with reflective lustrous obverse fields toned a beautiful array of pale gold and green, rose, violet, and blue, while the reverse is a duskier blend of rich blue, violet, and gold. A tiny mint clip is noted near 1:00 on the obverse. Flashy and attractive, with old toning and good technical quality, this diminutive rarity would improve even most advanced Betts collections...Sold

(ca. 1834-50) Franklin and Washington medal by James Bale. Bronze, 20mm. Baker-201, Greenslet GM-77. Choice Mint State. Struck on the usual thick planchet. An interesting little portrait medal by one of the great engravers of the early 19th century. James Bale was an apprentice to Richard Trested, whose early death led to his partnership with Charles Cushing Wright about 1829. Wright and Bale went their separate ways after a few years, after which Bale launched a business that engraved all sorts of things: medals, print illustrations, even military badges. He was active until around 1850. This simple piece, signed BALE and using the same portrait busts of Franklin and Washington that are used on the Par Nobile Fratrum medal, is known in several different compositions. This one shows a wealth of mint color at peripheries and around the portraits, mellowed to medium golden brown in the fields. The extremely high wire rim on the Franklin side rivals that found on a die cap, and is understandable a bit wavy between 12:00 and 3:00. The eye appeal is outstanding, better than most examples of this early Franklin/Washington medal a collector is apt to encounter...Sold

(ca. 1860?) Henry Lee Comitia Americana "Mystery Dies" electrotype. Copper shells over lead, 45 mm. About Uncirculated / Essentially as made. Nice chocolate brown with some minor waviness in the fields, as made. A good looking reproduction, probably ca. 1860-75. Now just what it is a copy of is up for some argument. This is an electrotype copy of some struck version of the extremely rare Henry Lee Comitia Americana medal; not the original dies by Joseph Wright, nor the ca. 1874 US Mint copy dies by Charles Barber. John Adams refers to these dies as the "mystery dies" and lays out a case that these dies are the actual ones that produced the gold Henry Lee Comitia Americana medal. In the exhaustive survey of modern private and institutional collections he performed with Anne Bentley, they found just seven examples of this production, all of which are either copies or electrotypes! No struck survivor appears to have survived, but the cast in the Royal Cabinet of Sweden is said to have been accessed before 1832 and the cast in the Bibliotheque Nationale has been there since it was given by Alexandre Vattemare in 1858. The ANS has an electrotype (like this one), and two other electrotypes are in private hands. This is a new addition to the census. Adams speculatively attributes the dies to Robert Scot; while I don't have a better idea for who made these dies and when, I'm not sure Scot would be my first choice. With originals utterly uncollectible, and even restrikes fairly called very rare, this unusual mystery electrotype suddenly becomes interesting for inclusion in a collection that wouldn't include one under normal circumstances...Sold

England. 1625 marriage medalet of Charles II and Henrietta Maria. Silver, 23 mm. Medallic Illustrations 238 /1. Choice Very Fine. Bright pastel toning of rose and pale blue over light gray surfaces, brighter on reverse than obverse. A little bright from polishing centuries ago, typical of the issue, but with no more than some minor hairlines to show from its life of handling. This interesting little medalet holds a unique distinction for American collectors: a collectible medallic image of Henrietta Maria, the woman for whom Maryland was named. This attractive piece would be a nice addition to a collection that includes (or lacks) examples of Calvert's 1658 coinage for Maryland...Sold

1749 Peace of Aix-La-Chapelle medal. Silver, 26 mm. Choice Very Fine. Nice even medium silver gray. An attractive little medal, based upon the larger medal to celebrate the peace of Aix-La-Chapelle by Johann Georg Hotzhey. This is just the sort of medal that should be in Betts, since it was struck to commemorate a peace treaty that had a huge impact on American history, namely the return to France of Fortress Louisbourg, conquered by thousands of Massachusetts troops and then recaptured by English and provincial troops in 1758. Alas, Betts didn't much look into the treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle and omitted its many medals. In any other reference, having something "unlisted" in the main catalogue would be quite a find. For medal collectors, it means medals like this are still undercollected and inexpensive...Sold

Particularly Choice 1797 Washington Sansom Medal

1797 (i.e. ca. 1807) Washington Sansom medal. Baker-71A, Julian PR-1. Copper, 41 mm. Choice Mint State. Rich chocolate brown, highly reflective and lustrous in the obverse fields with some light multicolor toning, more even and matte on the reverse. A crisp striking from the original dies of this popular U.S. Mint medal, coined from dies by John Reich. While I've had a number of these over the years, I cannot recall ever having a nicer one. This one is technically choice and pretty as a picture. This could be the foundation of a really stellar collection of early Washingtoniana or U.S. Mint medals...Sold

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

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

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

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

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

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

(1871-75) New England Agricultural Society medal. Bronze, 59 mm. Julian AM-53. Choice About Uncirculated. Unawarded. By William Barber. Choice and unflawed deep mahogany patina. An essentially perfect piece with just the lightest hint of cabinet friction on the highest point of the cow's head. A charming design, with a horse looking one way and a cow looking the other, along with a pig, a sheep, a duck, a hen, and a rooster, which pretty much covers all the major farm animals. Shields representing each New England state arc over their heads. Just 308 specimens in bronze were struck in this format, all between 1871 and 1875, when a smaller 48 mm format was introduced. The awarded ones tend to be in pretty grubby condition -- they were given to farmers, not numismatists -- so finding such a nice one as this is a treat. Carlson called this medal Rarity-8 in bronze...Sold

1837 Martin Van Buren Indian Peace medal. Bronze, 75mm. Julian IP-17. Choice About Uncirculated. I have a good customer who is building a set of Indian Peace medals in bronze in choice condition. He's almost done now, but for several years, we searched high and low for a nice large size Van Buren that looked nice. Every time one turned up in a major auction, we'd look at it, and inevitably it just wasn't very nice. We finally found a nice one for his collection fairly recently, and this one turned up just a couple months later. It's a rich medium brown mahogany with reflective fields. There a few minor little scattered marks, a few tiny nicks on the edge near 8:00, but nothing offensive or off-putting in the least. The surfaces are nice and free from spotting. This one was struck from the reverse die first used in 1846. For as much trouble as my customer and I had finding a nice large Van Buren Indian Peace medal, there must be someone else who needs a nice one for...Sold

The Scarce Smaller Size Dutch-American Treaty of Commerce Medal

1782 Treaty of Commerce between the Netherlands and United States medal. Silver, 33 mm. Betts-605. Choice About Uncirculated. Issued at the same time and for the same event as the larger Betts-604, this medal also marks the treaty of commerce that John Adams saw through to completion. The obverse is brilliant and reflective, with some deeper toning around the peripheries, while the reverse shows bright pastel blue mixed with silver and gold. Some scattered marks and hairlines are seen, but none are serious and the eye appeal is superb. A beautiful, historic medal, struck before the treaty ending the American Revolution had been signed and within months of the issuance of the Libertas Americana medal...Sold

1931 Western Washington Fair Association medal. Gilt silver, 51 mm. Mint State. In red leatherette velvet-lined box of issue, labeled Northern Stamping & Mfg Company. Medal inscribed "Stewart's Dairy, Seattle / SCORE 97.8 / RAW MARKET MILK." Matte surfaces show full medium yellow gilding and rich detail. Finely executed, trivial rim scuff atop obverse, very small test cut near 12:00 on reverse. A handsome medal from the depths of the Depression, a notable survivor as such. The Western Washington Fair Association still exists and still hosts a fair at Puyallup. Few of these medals have held up as well as the fair, however. The notable selection of agricultural medals in PCAC's Auction 77 included an uninscribed one in gilt silver, as here, and noted that the fairgrounds were used as a Japanese-American internment camp during World War II. I have not found another offering of this scarce medal...Sold

Historic Betts-443 1762 Morro Castle Medal

1762 Morro Castle medal. Betts-443. Bronze, 50 mm. About Uncirculated. A boldly attractive specimen of one of the few Spanish medals of the 18th century to be included in Betts. Lustrous light brown and gold with hints of navy blue and red at the peripheries. The surfaces are smooth and frosty and the devices show excellent detail. Only a few light contact marks, thin old scratch in upper left reverse field, smattering of minor rim bruises seen from the reverse. A bit of coppery red at the right reverse, just above and below the exergual line, is not original, but nor is it fresh either, perhaps remaining from when some sort of detritus was removed eons ago; either way, it is neither unattractive or distracting. High grade examples of this medal are rare; the last specimen I had was mounted, and most show significant handling. When I catalogued the two specimens of this medal in the John W. Adams collection in January 2012, here's how I described the Morro Castle medal: "One of the most noteworthy pieces of medallic art in the Betts series, and quite possibly the only medal struck to mark a battle that was lost. The medal was engraved by Tomas Francisco Prieto as an official and sanctioned memorial to Luis de Velasco and Vincenzo Gonzalez, the commanders of the fort who died in valiant fashion while defending it. The reverse depicts in gory detail the explosion of the fort's magazine at the end of the British siege, with an inscription that Betts translates as 'They ended their lives in glory in the Morro Castle.' Velasco was given several chances to surrender, under almost any terms, but he denied the British forces the chance to capture the fortress by any means besides completing the siege. Velasco and Gonzalez were both killed in hand-to-hand combat, when a rush of British and provincial troops overtook the fort. Some three thousand Americans fought in the battle for Havana, including Bunker Hill hero Israel Putnam. When Great Britain gave Cuba back to Spain in 1763, they received Florida in return; when Spain joined the American Revolution on behalf of the provincials, this was not far from their mind. This seemingly foreign medal would have been well recognized by the Revolutionary generation, to whom service in Havana attained nearly legendary status. This medal attains similar heights in the Betts series today." The bronze example in the Adams sale brought $3,450; the silver one brought nearly three times that. This highly attractive example would make a fine addition to any American-focused medal collection...Sold

Rare and Popular Sansom Washington/Franklin Medal by John Reich

1783 (i.e. after 1805) Washington/Franklin Sansom medal. Bronze, 40 mm. Betts-617, Julian CM-5, Baker-58. Choice About Uncirculated. Sedate olive-gold surfaces are free of marks and all but the most inconsequential friction on high points. Magnified scrutiny detects some fine hairlines, not notable to the naked eye. A wire rim surrounds the circumference of both sides. Struck at the US Mint, this medal was part of Philadelphia merchant Joseph Sansom's "Medallic History of the American Revolution," an ambitious series that only ended up including this medal, the "1776" Franklin Beaver medal, the "1783" C.C.A.U.S. medal and the the "1797" Washington Presidency Relinquished medal. This entry marked the Treaty of Paris, symbolized by the eagle descending with an olive branch in its beak, flying from a well-mapped United States, seen below. The C.C.A.U.S. is easily the rarest in the series; known only in silver, fewer than 10 have survived. The Presidency Relinquished is clearly the most common, fairly easy to find in both bronze and white metal. The other two are similarly scarce, appearing at market irregularly. The last example of this medal to turn up sold in the March 2011 StacksBowers sale for $3,738, yet was not as attractive as this one. With collector interest in the early Mint, Franklin, and Washington as high as its been in years, this has become an item of great desirability...Sold

American Historical Medals Archive

Betts medals, U.S. Mint medals listed by Julian, Washington medals as listed by Baker, Indian Peace medals, and related medals of relevance to American history.

High Grade 1807 Washington Sansom medal, Struck in Tin

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

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

1895 150th Anniversary of the Fall of Louisbourg medal by the Society of Colonial Wars. Bronze, 50 mm. Choice Mint State. In original Tiffany box of issue. An attractive relic medal created by Tiffany from copper from a salvaged cannon from Le Celebre, sunk in Louisbourg Harbor on July 21, 1758. This medal actually commemorates a different action, the first conquest of Louisbourg by New Englanders in the summer of 1745 during King George's War. Taking the major French fortress in Atlantic Canada, the gatekeeper for the whole St. Lawrence Valley, was a bloody and hard-won victory for the American forces. Needless to say, when British diplomats gave it away again at the table at the 1748 Treaty of Aix-La-Chappelle, New Englanders weren't too pleased about it, and the grudge remained for generations. This medal depicts William Pepperrell, the Massachusetts-born (modern Maine) general in charge of the siege, along with Captain Peter Warren, who commanded the naval forces that were present. Warren gained nationwide fame for his role; my high school was on Warren Avenue in Malvern, Pennsylvania, and dozens of other American towns, taverns, and streets were similarly named for him. The reverse of this medal is patterned after Betts-144, the 1720 Louisbourg Founded medal from the Paris Mint. The surfaces are ideal and natural, showing the as-struck deep reddish patina. The box is likewise in tip-top shape, with the Tiffany imprint still visible on the lid. This medal has a little bit of everything: it's a relic medal, a Tiffany production, and a design based on a Betts medal. It has an excellent paper trail and remains popular today...Sold

1760 Triumphs Everywhere medal. Bronze, 41 mm. Betts-427. Choice Mint State. A simply beautiful example of this underrated French and Indian War medal, struck to mark the various victories of 1760, the year Montreal and the whole of Canada fell to the British. The obverse shows a well detailed bust of George II by the Swiss engraver Jean Dassier, while the busier reverse shows a medallion portrait of William Pitt suspended from a victory column, beneath which a Fame inscribes the names of the continents on a shield while sitting on trophies of war. The medal, though celebrating Pitt's leadership and the victories of the Seven Years War, doubles as a memorial for George II, who died in his "little closet" in October 1760. This piece shows thorough and beautiful lustre on obverse and reverse, choice chocolate brown color with pastel blue highlights at the rims, and just a couple tiny marks in the lower left obverse field. It is nicer than the Adams specimen that realized almost $1100 in January 2012...Sold

"These Events ... Deserve to be Remembered by Posterity" -- John Adams, 1783

1782 Treaty of Commerce between the Netherlands and United States medal. Solid silver, 45 mm. Betts-604. Choice About Uncirculated. One of the most important medals of the era at the end of the American Revolution, engraved by famed Dutch medallist J.G. Holtzhey and issued to mark the signing of a commercial treaty that had been the special project of envoy John Adams. Adams himself received one of the earliest specimens of this medal, and in the thank you note he wrote to Holtzhey on January 2, 1783 he referred to this medal as "your new medal, in commemoration of the signature of the treaty of commerce." This example is a lovely one, with beautiful deep blue-green toning and hints of gold over the highly lustrous, reflective surfaces. Some old hairlines are noted here and there, but they hardly detract. The designs depict Fame announcing the union of the Netherlands and America, signified by their shields, on one side, while Mercury (or Commerce) crowns the shield of Amsterdam on the reverse. The last time I had one of these it sold quickly. This one ought to also...Sold

Popular US Mint Chicago Fire Medal

1871 Chicago Fire Relic medal. Bronze, 51 mm. Julian CM-13. About Uncirculated. By William Barber. Attractive mahogany bronzed patina with good gloss. A little friction is noted on the flying victory, in the clouds of smoke above the Chicago Court House, some scattered small marks above and below the phoenix on the reverse. A little handled, but the rims are intact and the visual appeal remains strong. In the few minutes I've pondered the question, I can't think of another relic medal struck by the US Mint in the 19th century. This issue was struck from metal salvaged from the melted Chicago Court House bell, as noted in the reverse legend. Just 500 pieces were coined, and specimens are scarce today. Any schoolkid can tell you about the Chicago fire and whose cow started it, making this one of the more popular issues in the US Mint commemorative medal series...Sold

Kirk's Entirely British Medal, As Worn by Cunne Shote in 1762

1760 "Entirely British" George III Accession medal by John Kirk. Silver, 36 mm. BHM-4 (RR), Eimer-684. Choice Extremely Fine, holed. Diagonally reeded (corded) edge. An important Indian Peace medal-related type, one of two medals depicted around the neck of the Cherokee chief Cunne Shote in a 1762 painting by Francis Parsons, produced upon Cunne Shote's visit to London. Deeply reflective fields show lovely old toning, light silver gray that depends to deep antique gray at the rims, with pastel blue, gold, and rose highlights. Some little marks are seen in the obverse fields, only the most minor hairlines. As indicated in Laurence Brown's British Historical Medals, this medal is quite rare (RR), at least as elusive as some other types of this period avidly collected as Indian Peace medals. None of this type were included in the Ford or Adams collections, though both cabinets included other so-called "opportunistic" medals, which were perhaps not conceived as Indian Peace medal types but were pressed into use as such. Some of the best known "Indian Peace medals," like the French Royal Family medal of 1690 or the George and Charlotte medal (Jamieson 10), meet this description. This rare little medal has one of the finest Indian portraits of its era to back up its historical importance, dangling around a American Indian chief. I've only seen a few specimens of this medal, all in nice grade and clearly preserved in a cabinet since their production. A lightly worn, holed example of Cunne Shote's medal makes for an evocative addition to an Indian Peace medal collection...Sold

(1839) 1781 Daniel Morgan at Cowpens medal. Bronze, 56 mm. Betts-592. Barre copy dies, 1839. Choice Mint State. A superb example of this extremely popular medal, with bold reflectivity on mahogany bronzed surfaces. Some faint hairlines are seen, but the eye appeal is gorgeous. My recent Coin World article on the Battle of Cowpens pointed out the importance of this little battle on the frontier of South Carolina, one that strategically set up the final act at Yorktown. The William Washington and John Eager Howard medals for the battle are among the more easily acquired of the Comitia Americana series. Though Daniel Morgan medals from the original dies are great rarities, the Barre copy dies are so expert that even Morgan's grandson was pleased with owning a medal struck from them. This type has seen an elevation in price lately, with two examples in the recent 2012 ANA sale bringing $5,750 and $3,290. This very pretty example seems like a good value at...Sold

1599 Dutch Capture of Saint Thomas from the Spanish medal. Bronze, 29 mm. Betts-20. Choice Extremely Fine. A scarce jeton-sized Betts medal that compares the Dutch efforts in the New World to the journeys of the Argonauts. The Dutch and Spanish were constant rivals in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, and more than one chapter of their competition played out in the New World. Betts attributes this piece to the Dutch capture of Spanish ships and treasure at modern-day Charlotte Amalie in the Virgin Islands. The Jason and the Argonauts iconography is commonplace enough during this era of Dutch-Spanish rivalry for the riches of the New World that an entire American Journal of Numismatics article was written about it in 1907, highlighting this particular piece. Ford didn't acquire his specimen until quite late in his collecting career (1985); his inferior example sold for over $3,000 in Ford XIII. A few more have come out of Europe since; this one comes from an American collection that focused on Hebrew lettering on medals (the name of Jehovah is spelled out in Hebrew on both sides). This is far sharper and more pleasing than this scarce little medal is usually encountered...Sold

Historic Original John Paul Jones Comitia Americana Medal

1779 John Paul Jones medal. Bronze, 56.1 mm. Betts-568, Julian NA-1. Original dies. Mint State. 93.2 grams. Plain edge. Flat edge. From the recent 2012 ANA sale by StacksBowers, where I catalogued this as follows: Rich chocolate brown with glossy fields. Some minor cabinet friction, a few vertical scrapes in the right obverse field. Very tiny nick on rim at 6:00, smaller one left of 12:00 on the reverse. A handsome example of this first United States naval medal, engraved by Augustin Dupre of Libertas Americana fame and struck at the Paris Mint. This example was struck before 1842, as indicated by the plain edge. The US Mint did not begin striking this type until 1863, after soft-metal dies were made, using an originals striking as a hub. The detailed reverse, designed with help from Jones's descriptions of the battle between his Bonhomme Richard and the HMS Serapis, is among the finest medallic renderings of a naval scene from any era. The place of primacy this medal enjoys among the naval series, as well as its position as one of the most popular of the Comitia Americana series, makes it always desirable to a wide range of collectors. This medal compares quite favorably to the slightly finer LaRiviere specimen, which brought nearly $11,000 in January 2012. Any offering of an original John Paul Jones medal gets a lot of attention -- the gilt piece of a slightly later die state recently showcased on this site received a half dozen orders. This very attractive example of the only naval entry in the Comitia Americana series should make its next owner very happy...Sold

(ca. 1880-1898) John Paul Jones medal. Silver, 56 mm. Betts-568, Julian NA-1. Mint State. ARGENT with cornucopia on edge. Paris Mint striking. Any John Paul Jones medal in silver is scarce, including the late 19th century strikings like this. Struck in a matte finish, with smooth fields sporting light golden toning over silver gray surfaces. Boldly detailed, a beautiful rendition. Only some very minor hairlines are seen, tiny rim nick under T of COMITIA AMERICANA. A desirable piece, both historically and artistically...Sold

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Remarkable High Grade Victories of 1759 Medal, Betts-418

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

1759 Victories medal. Gilt bronze, 43 mm. Betts-418. About Uncirculated. Though he owned nine impressions from these dies (two in silver and seven in bronze or copper), John Ford did not own a gilt specimen of this medal. The Adams collection included a looped piece with similar gilding, more intact but of essentially identical texture, that brought $2,300. According to the Heritage site, an offer was made for $3,250 in March (who knew such data was public?). The gilding is attractive light gold in color, bright but not lustrous, with something of a flat sheen. It is worn on highpoints but intact in the fields. No heavy marks or rim bruises are noted, and the technical quality is very nice. An interesting specimen of one of the most popular French and Indian War medals. Whomever offered $3,250 could get a heck of a deal...Sold

(ca. 1834-50) Franklin and Washington medal by James Bale. Bronze, 20mm. Baker-201, Greenslet GM-77. Choice Mint State. Struck on the usual thick planchet. An interesting little portrait medal by one of the great engravers of the early 19th century. James Bale was an apprentice to Richard Trested, whose early death led to his partnership with Charles Cushing Wright about 1829. Wright and Bale went their separate ways after a few years, after which Bale launched a business that engraved all sorts of things: medals, print illustrations, even military badges. He was active until around 1850. This simple piece, signed BALE and using the same portrait busts of Franklin and Washington that are used on the Par Nobile Fratrum medal, is known in several different compositions. This example boasts strong reflective lustre and ideal pastel shades of blue and green intermingling with the faded mint color of the fields. The high wire rims are a little crude, as made, over Washington and Franklin's right shoulders. Mark free and well preserved, this nice example traces its provenance to the enormous and wide-ranging Washingtonia collection of Dr. Irving Shuster...Sold

Classic 1759 Quebec Taken Medal in Silver

1759 Quebec Taken medal. Silver, 40 mm. Betts-421. Choice About Uncirculated. A beautiful example of one of the most popular of the SPAC designs from the French and Indian War, inspired by the ancient Roman Judea Capta issues and celebrating the joint land and sea victory at Quebec that helped cinch the whole of Canada, and thus North America, for the English. The surfaces are nicely reflective and lustrous, with beautiful gold and olive tones framing lighter centers that blend old gray with violet, rose, and blue. A collaring mark, evidence of a two-part collar used in striking, is visible at 3:00. The eye appeal is superb, with just some very minor scattered hairlines and an ancient and toned-over vertical mark on the cheek of the obverse figure. This piece is far more richly toned than the image in the Ford XIV sale would let on. The strike and presentation are exemplary, and the light filing on the rims is as produced and natural to the piece. The designs of the SPAC (Society for Promoting Arts and Commerce, also known as the Royal Society for the Arts) were created by numismatists, including such characters as Giovanni Cipriani and Thomas Hollis. A collection focused on the classically inspired designs of the SPAC would not only feature some of the 18th century's best medallic art, but also hit the highpoints of the French and Indian War. Quite scarce in silver, the four owned by the omnivorous John Ford represent a substantial percentage of those sold in the last half century. Despite their momentary plenty, they brought between $2530 and $3450 in the 2005 Ford sale. This one brought $2875 at the time...Sold

Spectacularly Toned Silver Time Increases His Fame Medal

(ca. 1861) Washington Time Increases His Fame medal. Silver, 27 mm. Baker-91, Julian PR-27. MS-65 (NGC). A real gem, with spectacular toning in a range of violet, pale blue, and champagne hugging the rims. The toning is somewhat bullseye patterned on the reverse, more blended on the obverse, with rich reflective lustre on both sides. If you could only example a square millimeter of this medal under a glass, it could just as easily be a Proof Seated dollar as a medal. The cartwheel spins quickly and boldly, and the eye appeal is superb. An unusual little medal, part of James Pollock's pandering to the numismatic community hungry for new Washington medals ca. 1861. He pressed an old portrait hub by William Kneass, produced between 1824 and 1835, back into service, along with lettering and a wreath by Anthony C. Paquet. While copper specimens are among the most common 19th century Mint medals, silver ones are actually pretty scarce. The last one I saw sell in a major sale was a pretty scruffy one in the 2009 Americana sale that brought $316. This one stands with the best survivors of this interesting issue...Sold

Misunderstood CC Wright Declaration / Signers Electrotype Medal

(ca. 1875?) Signing of the Declaration of Independence / Signers of the Declaration of Independence medal. Electrotype, 90 mm. Baker-53M. About Uncirculated. Essentially Mint State, but showing some hairlines from an ancient cleaning, wavy fields from its method of manufacture, and two rim bruises at the base of the reverse. Known only as an electrotype, this large medal features the obverse of Charles Cushing Wright's Washington Declaration of Independence medal, Baker-53, with a reverse showing the autographs of every signer of the Declaration of Independence "from John Hancock to Button Gwinett," as noted by Rulau. That's about all Rulau got right about this medal, which he notes was "made in 1851," though the very rare struck medal from which it was made is noted as being "struck about 1854." Baker, for his part, noted that the electrotypes of Baker-53 were made "a few years ago by a Mr. G. Segebaden and are quite deceptive." Segebaden, whom I have been totally unable to track down despite his distinctive name and occupation, has become "George Segebaden" in Rulau; given that the name is Swedish, he was more likely Gustav, if his name was even correctly remembered by Baker. In any case, the person who made the electrotypes of Baker-53 probably also produced these. Though the Baker-53 electrotypes start turning up in numismatic auctions in the mid 1870s, the earliest mention of this far rarer electrotype muling is in the 1884 Thomas Warner sale by the Chapman Brothers, who noted they were "electrotypes, as are all." For some reason, the 100 Greatest Tokens and Medals book took the misinterpretation of this medal to new levels, saying under entry 66 "Signature reverse, copper electrotype: 2 known." While this is very scarce, I've probably actually laid my hands on four or five different ones in the last 25 years, leading me to believe that the population is well north of a dozen. I've even seen an unfinished one (obverse, reverse). Baker didn't list this in 1885, which suggests he didn't know about it, since Washington is depicted sitting in the chair on the obverse. Since this medal exists only as an electrotype, it is not fair to class this as a copy, or throw it on the scrapheap with other 19th century electrotypes: electrotyping, instead of striking or casting, was simply the process used to produce this very interesting, elusive medal. This one shows good lustre (yes, electros can be lustrous) and decent eye appeal, even with its noted flaws. It would be tough to duplicate for...Sold

1813 (i.e. 1835) George Croghan / Battle of Sandusky medal. Bronze, 65 mm. Julian MI-12. Prooflike About Uncirculated. Bright and reflectively golden-toned surfaces contrast with heavily frosted devices. Lightly bronzed, essentially golden tan in color. Some light friction is present on the high points of Croghan's hair and epaulet, a few light marks noted in the upper reverse field. A handsome medal, voted by Congress in 1835 for action in 1813 and first struck in 1837. The reverse shows the siege of Fort Stephenson by Tecumseh, depicted at the front of a mass of British regulars wearing something resembling a crown. It's an evocative scene by Moritz Furst, who clearly found inspiration for his battle scenes from Dupre's medal for Morgan at Cowpens. This examples, one of 100 struck, realize $1,725 back in 2008. Among War of 1812 medals, either military or naval series, this feels like it's scarcer than probably two-thirds of them...Sold

1846 Loss of the Somers medal. Bronze, 65 mm. Julian NA-24. About Uncirculated. A medallic masterpiece by C.C. Wright, showing the foundering USS Somers in sculptural relief. The surfaces shows medium brown bronzing, with scattered small marks on the reverse, along with a longer abrasion under C of CONSERVATIS and a single tiny speck at the rim near 6:00 on the obverse. Just 90 of these were struck in bronze, a smaller number than the published mintage of the silver specimens coined to be presented to those who helped save seven lives from the wreck, though the silver ones are far rarer today. Someday I'd love to write a long monograph or short book on the medals of the Mexican-American War, whose medals are among our most beautiful and whose history still resonates today. This medal is sought after by naval collectors and shipwreck specialists alike...Sold

1862 Washington and Jackson medalet. Silver, 19 mm. Julian PR-28, Baker-224. Mint State. A ring of bright golden toning frames the rims on both sides, with a crescent of blue above Jackson's head. Bright lustrous reflectivity remains, with just some minor hairlines in the fields of both sides. A good looking example of this attractive type, struck at the height of the Washingtoniana boom from a Washington portrait die by Anthony C. Paquet...Sold

Rare 1861 Major Robert Anderson Medal for Fort Sumter
"The First Medal of the Civil War"

1861 Major Robert Anderson Fort Sumter medal. Bronze, 70 mm. About Uncirculated. Published by Augustus B. Sage, dies by Robert Lovett. As noted by Dave Bowers, who found that the unique gold specimen of this medal was presented to Anderson on April 28, 1861, this is "the first medal of the Civil War," designed, conceived, and struck within the first three weeks after the fall of Fort Sumter. Very rare today, somewhere between 82 and 200 of these were struck, the former being the number of subscriptions ordered (at $5 each) by April 28, 1861 and the latter figure the stated maximum mintage when the medal was announced. The survivorship suggests a number closer to the first than the second, and they appear at market infrequently. This one shows good eye appeal, with abundant remaining reflectivity on both sides, particularly rich on the reverse. Some light marks and abrasions are present in the upper obverse field, only the faintest friction, no spots or distractions on the pleasing medium brown surfaces, highlighted with gold and blue. If this medal, with its historic interest, was better known, it would be an expensive entry among the American classics. It's well known enough to be entered among Dave Bowers and Katie Jaeger's 100 top tokens and medals, as voted by a list of noted numismatists, but obscure enough to finish exactly at number 100. Bushnell's specimen brought $4,600 in the November 2001 Bowers and Merena sale, the same price realized by an example in a 2007 Heritage sale. This is the first one I've seen on the market since that piece sold five years ago...Sold

(1868) Abraham Lincoln Salvator Patriae medal. Silver, 35 mm. King-252. Dies by Emil Siegel following the collapse of his monumental 83 mm dies of the same design, distributed by the American Numismatic and Archaeological Society. Mint State. Bold reflectivity sets off the extremely high relief portrait of Lincoln by Siegel, most noted for his efforts on Civil War token dies. The surfaces show hairlines on both sides, including a notable vertical batch on the obverse, but judging from the deep toning that has gathered at the rims and the more subtle tones in the fields, the wiping was done a long time ago. One of the most handsome of the Lincoln memorial medals, almost silver dollar sized, available occasionally in white metal but quite scarce in silver...Sold

Immense 1867 Cyrus W. Field Congressional Medal

1867 Cyrus W. Field Atlantic Cable Congressional medal. Bronze, 103 mm. Julian PE-10. Choice About Uncirculated. The largest medal in the U.S. Mint series, one of just 125 struck in bronze. This immense, half-inch thick medal was engraved by William Barber, who is not usually known for his sculpted relief. The obverse presents the scene of two ships meeting in the mid-Atlantic, with globes at either side labeled AMERICA and EUROPE, topped by the bust of Field being crowned from above. One of the two gold examples struck still exists; I've seen one aluminum and a handful of the bronzes (maybe two handfuls -- they're heavy). This one shows only very minor cabinet friction and the world's smallest rim bruise at 6:00 on the reverse. This would make for a very impressive addition to any collection of medals...Sold

1892 Old Sugar House medal. Bronze, 44 mm. By Edward Groh. Mint State. Deep bronzed mahogany surfaces show intact reflectivity and excellent eye appeal. A single little spot left of the Sugar House is the only notable flaw. A very interesting medal, coined by ANS mover and shaker Edward Groh and patterned after the smaller ca. 1859 medalet by Augustus B. Sage. Just 50 were struck in this composition, along with three in silver and 100 in white metal, according to original notes by Groh at the ANS. Today, this piece would add to a collection of medals relating to the American Revolution and would also find a comfortable home in a collection of tokens and medals relating to famous numismatists...Sold

Choice 1782 French Widows and Orphans Jeton, Missed By Betts

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

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

(ca. 1860) Franklin / Time is Money medalet. Copper, 31 mm. Greenslet GM-61. Mint State. Plain edge. Nice and reflective, with chocolate brown surfaces showing golden, rose, and faint blue highlights. A few minor marks are present in the obverse fields, but the eye appeal is excellent. A very popular large-cent sized Franklin portrait piece, listed as R-5 by Greenslet...Sold

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

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

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

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

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

Among Finest Known Baker-617 by C. Wyllys Betts

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

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

Remarkable Fully Gilt 1779 John Paul Jones Medal
Original Dies, Plain Edge

1779 John Paul Jones Comitia Americana medal. Betts-568, Julian NA-1. Gilt bronze, 57 mm. Choice Mint State. 1126.5 grains. A spectacular example of the most famous American naval medal, ranked third in the 100 Greatest Tokens and Medals book after just the Libertas Americana medal and the Washington Before Boston medal. I enjoy handling any specimen of this type: the bust after Houdon is fine medallic art, Dupre's battle scene of the Bonhomme Richard vs HMS Serapis is an historical document in the round, and the net effect is as impressive as any medal in the Comitia Americana series. I've gotten to own or catalogue several nice bronze pieces, some less nice bronze ones, and even played with a few very rare silver strikings. I've never seen or owned a gilt one before, and none are present in the usual auction sales one would look in to locate a Comitia Americana rarity. The "gilt bronze" piece in the New-York Historical Society is just a modern "peanut bronze" striking from copy dies. If I had to guess, this piece was probably struck in the 1820s or 1830s. The gilding is classic Paris Mint gilding of the first quarter of the 19th century: bright, deep, lustrous, and boldly reflective. Just a few wispy hairlines are noted in the fields, no damage or marks to note. The die state is a little advanced from the 1789 strikes (see the small interior rim cud at the upper left quadrant of the reverse), identical to that of the silver Jones medal in the Ford Collection. As is typical, the rim cud was lightly filed, but not effaced in this case. Typical high grade bronze examples from the plain edge, pre-1842 era tend to bring in the $10,000 range, like the one in the January 2012 Americana sale, ex LaRiviere, and the Jim Jones piece, ex Ford. This piece is much flashier, much rarer, and would make an impressive addition to any advanced Comitia Americana cabinet. Accompanied by a tattered century-old envelope...Sold

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

Historic John Eager Howard Comitia Americana Original

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

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

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

Rare 1881 US Mint Dies John Eager Howard Medal

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

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

Rare 1863 Stonewall Jackson Medal, Authorized by the Confederacy

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

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

An Unlisted Washington Mule by G.H. Lovett

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

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

Extremely Rare 1861 Washington "Decisive War" Medal

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

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

The Earliest Medallic Rendering of Dartmouth College

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

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

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

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

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

Nice Original Copper 1797 Washington Sansom Medal

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

As Found In Lower Manhattan ca. 1675

Netherlands, Dordrecht.1590 jeton. Silver, 28 mm. Dugniolle-3256. Choice About Uncirculated or better. Lustre persists on both sides, with the central obverse toned a rich blue and the peripheries a lighter gold. The reverse is more brilliant with some peach and olive tones. Softly struck at centers, ideally centered, legends and date complete. A fascinating issue, both allegorically and archaeologically. The central device on the obverse depicts six hands grasping the same Liberty-cap topped pillar, representing the six provinces united under Prince Maurice. This device was copied, legends and all, on a rare August 1775 $10 note of North Carolina. While the distance from Netherlands in 1590 to North Carolina during the American Revolution may seem unbridgeable, archaeology has given us a very important middle step: a specimen of this exact jeton (in bronze) discovered in a mid 17th century context in Lower Manhattan at a site known as Heerman's Warehouse. Augustine Heermans operated a trading post at Pearl and Whitehall Streets that dealt in furs, tobacco, and slaves, among other things. The ANS also makes note of the Heerman's Warehouse find along with cataloguing their specimen. I've owned a couple specimens of this fascinating jeton in bronze, usually well worn, but I've never had a silver one. That this one is beautiful only makes it that much more desirable...Sold

1863 Lt. Gen T.J. "Stonewall" Jackson medal. Tin, 50 mm. Extremely Fine. This is one medal that fascinates me, since it seems like it would be on a lot more want lists if it was more widely appreciated for what it is: the only medal struck during the Civil War for the Confederacy. This medal was produced in 1864 in Paris by Massonet, from dies by Caque, and evaded a Union blockade before eventually reaching Confederate Savannah. The exact story takes a few forms: one states the medal was produced by the Marquis de Lafayette, a descendant of his namesake, to distribute to members of the Stonewall Brigade, this being espoused by Four Years in the Stonewall Brigade by John O. Casler. A much earlier, disparate account, an 1894 article in a Brownsville, Texas newspaper, somewhat corroborates the story, noting "a French gentleman, who determined to present them to the brigade." The story was published just after the discovery of these medals in the Savannah warehouse where they were secreted after their arrival; it notes "two barrels" being the size of the hoard (!). Interestingly, these medals were already in the numismatic community, some in sumptuous boxes, including a piece in the collection of Dr. Thomas Addis Emmet noted in the American Journal of Numismatics in 1868 and pieces that turn up in 19th century auctions, like a "tin proof" in an 1879 S.H. Harzfeld sale. With as much of a paper trail as there is on this medal, some kind of complete narrative could be formed, possibly including a Lafayette, definitely including a blockade runner, and allegedly including two whole barrels of these things. Most of the survivors today look about like this one, with some darkened tin patina on the obverse and a smooth dark pewter tone free of pest on the reverse. There are some light marks and a few scratches at the base of the reverse, perhaps the result of the cleaning these medals received in 1894 (as noted in the New York Times). The medals are scarce today, and there are more screwed up ones than nice ones (I've never seen a gem tin one). This is a very cool story and a lot of history for...Sold

Extremely Rare 1745 Spanish Plate Fleet Captured Medal
The Real Inspiration for the Lima Coinage of 1745-46

1745 Spanish Plate Fleet Captured medal. Betts-381. Silver, 37 mm. Mint State. One of my favorite medals in the Betts series, an outstanding rarity which fills in the backstory for one of the most popular types among English coins. I've been fortunate enough to catalogue specimens of this medal on two occasions: the worn copper piece, graded Fine, that brought $5,750 in the 2001 LaRiviere sale and the near-gem copper piece that brought $9,200 in the March 2012 StacksBowers sale. Cribbing from the description I penned for the nice bronze piece in the March 2012 StacksBowers sale, "The obverse deftly displays the July 10, 1745 capture of the Lewis Erasmus, Notre Dame, and Marquis d'Entin by the English-flagged privateers Duke and Prince Frederick. Portraits of the captains of those two vessels, James Talbot and John Morecock, are displayed being held by Fames on the reverse, while a dramatic scene plays out near the exergue: the last of 45 mule-drawn wagons full of Spanish bullion arriving at the Tower Mint on October 1 and 2, 1745. John Kirk's signature is below. Some 800,000 British pounds worth of gold and silver was taken by Talbot and Morecock, including about 2.5 million Spanish milled dollars - silver coins that were turned into sixpences, shillings, half crowns, and crowns displayed LIMA under George II's bust. A letter from a sailor aboard the Prince Frederick wrote a letter published in the Gentleman's Magazine of August 1745 that noted "We have a marquis of France, a governor of Peru, friars in abundance, one of whom threw a gold chalice into the sea of great value that it should not come into our hands," not to mention some 78 tons of bullion. While Anson did capture the Manila galleon Covadonga, it had nothing to do with the Lima coinage, despite the persistence of misinformation otherwise promulgated by Snelling, Nesmith, and others.

This medal is very rare today. Though Ford owned two in silver and three in copper, these represent the vast majority of auction appearances in the US or UK in the last century." This example is a new piece in private hands, formerly the property of the Royal United Services Institute, acquired by the Glenbow Museum in Calgary upon dissolution of their museum in the 1960s, then recently auctioned as a deaccession from Glenbow. It has seen some light cleaning, like most silver medals of this era, and a layer of old lacquer that could be properly removed. The designs are essentially unworn, the surfaces reflective and lustrous despite some light hairlines. A bit of golden toning has gathered at the obverse rims. The quality is better than both of Ford's silver specimens by a fair bit. Having never seen another silver example offered in the U.S. aside from those two, I'm sure its been a long time since one this nice has been on the market, if ever. Ford bought both of his in Europe, one in 1970 and one in 1984, meaning Boyd lacked this Betts number entirely and Ford seems not to have had a chance to buy one until he'd been in the business for more than three decades. If John Ford was still around, he might well be first in line to buy this superb example for...Sold

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

Rare 1861 Jefferson Davis "Death to Traitors" Medalet

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

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

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

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

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

The Only French Victory Medal of the French and Indian War

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

Very Rare Original Washington Before Boston Medal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Famously Intricate 1848 Winfield Scott Medal

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

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

Elusive ca. 1890 Pender, Nebraska Washington Indian Peace Medal

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

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

The LaRiviere Specimen of 1782 Betts-605, Welcoming John Adams to Amsterdam

1782 Treaty of Commerce with Holland medal. Betts-605. Silver, 33.5 mm. Choice About Uncirculated. Richly reflective, lustrous surfaces show deep violets and golds against a light, sedate olive gray without it. Some light evidence of handling is seen, widely scattered and fairly minor. The eye appeal is excellent, and the provenance is better: from the cabinet of Lucien LaRiviere, whose 2001 auction ushered in a new era in Betts medal collecting that was capped by the sale of the Ford Collection in 2005. LaRiviere acquired this piece from Dick August in May 1981. The medal itself, as discussed in an article I wrote earlier this year in The Numismatist, was engraved by J.G. Holtzhey in late 1782. John Adams thanked him for his specimen in January 1783 and recommended he sell some in Boston and Philadelphia. Today, specimens of this medal, rich with symbolism and flush with history, are avidly sought. Luckily, most tend to still look pretty nice. This one will please a connoisseur from the same mold as Mssrs. August and LaRiviere...Sold

1897 Chicago Horse Show medal. Silver, 80 mm. Choice Mint State. Signed SPAULDING & CO, CHICAGO. A majestic, large, high relief medal, very rare and beautifully toned. Were this more common, it would be a classic among the agricultural medals -- but most of the major collectors have never seen one before! Whatever case this was issued in imbued simply amazing toning of bright pale blue, fading to deep gold at the peripheries on the obverse, while the reverse shows gold, maroon, and violet with a complete blue frame at the edges. Some light hairlines and a few light abrasions are seen, but clearly this was handled carefully. Awarded to M.W. Dunham, perhaps the most famous horse breeder of his day. Dunham's horse Paladin won first place at the Chicago Horse Show in 1897; this medal may have been that prize. A medal that is as beautiful as it is rare, showing one of the most dynamic depictions of a horse I've encountered on a medal. This one is a collection centerpiece...Sold

Beautiful Quality 1782 "Holland Declares America Free" Medal

1782 Holland Declares America Free. Betts-607. Silver, 34 mm. Plain Edge. Choice Mint State. I catalogued this piece for the Stack's 2012 Americana sale and described it as follows: "A superb example of this important Revolutionary-era historical medal, produced for sale to the pro-American Dutch masses. The name of this medal is a translation of the obverse legend, showing America holding a caduceus of commerce in one hand while clutching arrows and a liberty pole in the other. The reverse legend translates to 'the general wish' while displaying the fruits of commerce, suggesting how much the Netherlands stands to gain by replacing Great Britain as the primary American trading partner. The surfaces are deeply toned and fully lustrous, with dark silver gray sharing space with deep blue on the obverse, while the reflective reverse shows hints of gold, rose and blue. Ford's was a Choice EF that sold for $1,150, while the Craige-LaRiviere specimen brought $2,070 when sold by us (Stack's) in September 2009. This is nicer than either, with just a very tiny rim tick at 8 o'clock on the obverse noted as a flaw. We cannot recall a finer example at auction in the past decade." I figured it would bring about $2000-2200, given what the LaRiviere piece brought in a very soft late 2009 market. It sold for less, so I can offer this choice and fairly scarce Revolutionary-era medal for...Sold

A Betts Medal ... Depicting Andrew Jackson?

(ca. 1860) Andrew Jackson portrait medal by C. Wyllys Betts. White metal, 44 mm. Dewitt AJACK-A. Choice About Uncirculated. A rare and unusual production of C. Wyllys Betts, engraved when he was a student at Yale, about the same time he was producing his legendary colonial-themed copies and fantasies. The three-quarter profile portrait of Jackson shows a folk-art sensibility, though the deep relief and poor striking technique (a hand-held sledge hammer) didn't bring up much of the central detail on either side. The eye appeal is excellent, with strong lustre, no corrosion, only a few tiny spots and minor surface abrasions. Despite the soft consistency, the rims are in pretty good shape, with only a couple little nicks. Betts signed the piece "CWB" underneath the bust. Betts produced a very similar William Henry Harrison medal (and various intermulings), listed as Dewitt WHH-B. Both are rare and hardly ever encountered in the marketplace. C. Wyllys Betts was a fascinating character, a mischievous young numismatist, a pioneering paleontologist, and a legendary numismatic author whose 1894 American Colonial History As Illustrated By Contemporary Medals is still the standard reference on early American medals. This rarity is a conversation starter...Sold

Popular Silver NON INFERIORA METALLIS 1754 Franco-American Jeton

1754 Franco-American jeton. Betts-389, Breton-514. Silver, 28 mm. Choice Extremely Fine. Reeded edge, coin turn. An original mid-18th century striking of this popular medal, listed in Betts, Frossard's work on Franco-American jetons, and the pre-Confederation Canadian literature. Good lustre persists with ideal toning of light pastel blue at the peripheries framing golden-gray centers. A little worn but choice for the grade, with only the most insignificant marks or hairlines. This series was struck to promote settlement in New France, which in 1754 included the entire Ohio River Valley, the Mississippi Valley, the Great Lakes, and modern-day Canada. It was in this year, 1754, that young George Washington first came to blows with French soldiers defending their claim in western Pennsylvania, a small calamity that led to the French and Indian War. This type symbolizes the attraction New France held succinctly, with two beavers on a dam and the legend NON INFERIORA METALLIS, or "not inferior to metals," a 18th century summation of beaver fur being as good as gold. It was, and that was why the English sought control of the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. Had the French settled more colonists there earlier, perhaps Detroit would be pronounced Day-twa. This late effort at marketing might not have helped the French cause, but they have delighted collectors for a century and a half. Nice original silver pieces with this kind of toning are very desirable...Sold

1859 Elisha Kent Kane medal. Silvered white metal, 51 mm. By George H. Lovett. Choice Mint State. Some bright lustre shines forth around peripheral legends, with the fields showing the odd texture of silvered white metal, a shimmering matte surface whose dark gray toning has taken on exquisite blue and violet toning highlights. A few very minor little marks on the raised rim are present, probably present before striking but never obliterated. The dies by Lovett are crisply defined, including the portrait of Kane and the tableau of his Arctic adventure below. The reverse is the same as Baker-289, the Non Nobis Solum Masonic medal. Kane's heroic explorations of the Arctic and his death at 37 in 1857 made him one of America's most famous men. This large format 2 1/2 inch medal is a fine stepping-stone into a collector of Arctic explorer medals and one of the best regarded of Lovett's works...Sold

1941 Detroit Coin Club / Albert Avery Grinnell medal. Antiqued silver, 38 mm. Mint State. An attractive and scarce portrait medals of one of the most legendary U.S. paper money collectors, Albert A. Grinnell, whose collection was sold in seven parts by Barney Bluestone just a few years after this medal was produced. This medal looks about as it did when issued, with some hairlines in keeping with its production patina and a couple little spots noted. It was first distributed at the Detroit Coin Club's January 23, 1941 meeting, their 400th. One can imagine it was probably pretty cold that night, but getting a medal might have drawn a few more members from their warm homes. Grinnell lived in a beautiful home at 1515 Woodward Avenue in Detroit. His paper money collection has been recounted by Dave Bowers as including "35 National Gold Bank notes, one $100 "Watermelon" Coin Note of 1890 and two $1,000 "Grand Watermelon" Coin Notes, 3,300 National Bank Notes (including 750 from Grinnell's home state of New York and 260 from his adopted state of Michigan), and 43 examples of major currency errors, including two sheets of notes with $10 faces and $5 backs which, offered in the final sale, realized $3,550 each, or probably as much as a 1913 Liberty Hed nickel would have been worth at the time!" This medal would be a fine accessory for an advanced Federal paper money collection, particularly one including notes with a Grinnell pedigree...Sold

An American Revolutionary Medal from Germany, Betts-560

1778 "German Prayers for Peace" medal. Betts-560. White metal with copper scavenger, 38.5 mm. About Uncirculated. A fascinating entry in the Revolutionary-era Betts series. The fraktur font is familiar to anyone who's spent time in Pennsylvania Dutch country, not coincidentally populated by descendants of 18th century Germans. The obverse depicts the "hand of fate" weighing war and peace, with a globe labeled AMERICA, EUROPA, AFRICA and ASIA surrounded by trophies of war. The legend on the obverse is translated by Betts as "Consider the balance, it brings each day joy or trouble," while the lengthy reverse is rendered as "Nearly the whole world have whet their swords! O Lord, let Crown and Throne blossom with palms of peace. Speak Thou to all the world, Speak Thou to the German Empire this great word of blessing, My Peace be with you. 1778." It ain't Shakespeare, but it fits. This primarily tin medal is utterly free of tinpest, thanks to the copper scavenger, a tiny plug struck into the planchet at the date and visible on the other side, which kept the rest of the medal corrosion free. The surfaces show minor wear but are problem free. Far scarcer than most of the post-Revolutionary European peace medals or the various Dutch medals of the era, and still underappreciated by collectors...Sold

1883 Centennial of the Evacuation of New York by the British medal. Baker-459. White metal, 44 mm. Mint State. Deeply reflective fields contrast sharply with the immense relief of the obverse portrait of Washington by C.C. Wright and the reverse legends by Anthony C. Paquet. Some light hairlines, a bit of minor toning, but very appealing overall. For well over a century, November 25 was celebrated in New York City as Evacuation Day, marking the day the British occupiers finally left Manhattan after the American Revolution. This medal is the most iconic of those produced for the centennial celebration...Sold

1670 Colonization medal. Betts-44. Silver, 41 mm. About Uncirculated. A beautiful example of the earliest readily collectible English Betts medal. Deep olive gray toning gracefully covers the obverse, while the reverse is even and pleasing light silver gray. A couple little marks are noted here and there, none serious. This medal is sometimes seen quite worn, and it clearly saw wide distribution. The reverse depicts a hemispherical view of the Atlantic, including the North American coastline, with the legend BRITANNVS DIFFVSVS IN ORBE suggesting the range of the empire Charles II and his bride, Catherine of Braganza, ruled. This medal was struck the year that Charles Town, South Carolina was founded, an outpost meant to prevent incursion of the Spanish up the Atlantic coast. In 1687, this medal turns up in the correspondence of Samuel Pepys, who was offered a specimen by the deputy director of the Royal Mint. Popular with early American medal collectors, map and globe enthusiasts, and collectors of British medals, Betts-44 comes only in silver and, very rarely, gold. This one is prettier than most survivors...Sold

Famous 1762 Morro Castle Medal, Celebrating (?) the Loss of Havana

1762 Morro Castle medal. Betts-443. Bronze, 50 mm. About Uncirculated. Once mounted, with a tiny square of apparently pure gold remaining on the rim at 12:00. The surfaces are pleasing and smooth, showing none of the pebbliness associated with worn and displayed medals, just some light superficial hairlines. The toning is an ideal milk chocolate, enriched with some faint blue and gold. Some apparent mint red in reverse interstices owes more to some old removal of surface schmutz than original color. When I catalogued the two specimens of this medal in the John W. Adams collection, here's how I described the Morro Castle medal: "One of the most noteworthy pieces of medallic art in the Betts series, and quite possibly the only medal struck to mark a battle that was lost. The medal was engraved by Tomas Francisco Prieto as an official and sanctioned memorial to Luis de Velasco and Vincenzo Gonzalez, the commanders of the fort who died in valiant fashion while defending it. The reverse depicts in gory detail the explosion of the fort's magazine at the end of the British siege, with an inscription that Betts translates as "They ended their lives in glory in the Morro Castle." Velasco was given several chances to surrender, under almost any terms, but he denied the British forces the chance to capture the fortress by any means besides completing the siege. Velasco and Gonzalez were both killed in hand-to-hand combat, when a rush of British and provincial troops overtook the fort.

Some three thousand Americans fought in the battle for Havana, including Bunker Hill hero Israel Putnam. When Great Britain gave Cuba back to Spain in 1763, they received Florida in return; when Spain joined the American Revolution on behalf of the provincials, this was not far from their mind. This seemingly foreign medal would have been well recognized by the Revolutionary generation, to whom service in Havana attained nearly legendary status. This medal attains similar heights in the Betts series today." The bronze example in the Adams sale brought $3,450; the silver one brought nearly three times that. This one looks very nice despite some minor issues. It was proudly worn and displayed in its era, probably by a soldier who served during the battle. He prized it, as would any collector...Sold

Rare 1838 New Haven Bicentennial US Mint Medal

1838 New Haven Bicentennial medal. Julian CM-37. Bronze, 55 mm. Choice About Uncirculated. Dies by C.C. Wright, design by John Allan and Ithiel Town. Ideal glossy chocolate brown patina, exemplary eye appeal on both sides. The dies appear somewhat rusted, and a light crack is present through the second S of BLOSSOM on the reverse. The city view of New Haven by Wright is detailed and as well accomplished as any architectural types in the US Mint catalogue, while the obverse scene of the colonists and natives is signed by Wright in the lower left. The designs were initially accomplished by famed early numismatist John Allan, according to research by Q. David Bowers. Allan, an eminence grise of the coin industry when it blossomed in the late 1850s, was assisted by architect Ithiel Town. A very scarce issue, earlier than most commemorative medals in the Julian series and one of only a few engraved by the estimable Charles Cushing Wright...Sold

1739 Admiral Vernon at Portobello medal. Small size. Pinchbeck metal, 27 mm. Betts-193, McCormick-Goodhart 36, Adams-Chao PBv 11-I. Choice About Uncirculated. Coin turn. A superb example of this diminutive Vernon production, rated Rarity-6 by Adams as a variety though the types of this size are generally far more elusive than the silver-dollar sized types, particularly so in high grade. In fact, this one is sharper than the Adams Collection specimen (illustrated on page 57 of that monumental work), showing far better definition on Vernon's portrait and coat. The surfaces retain much of their brassy originality, somewhat darker toned at peripheries of both sides, a bit hairlined in the right obverse field but very attractive overall. Some light old buildup adheres, more on the reverse than obverse, and a circular area of toning is present in the upper reverse field. A handsome little piece, an ideal and sharp example to represent this quarter-sized type...Sold

"1797" (i.e. ca. 1850s) Washington Sansom medal. Baker-71A. Bronze, 41 mm. Gem Mint State. The nicest example I've ever encountered from this advanced, rusted state of the dies, with full reflectivity remaining on the perfectly bronzed surfaces. Just a gorgeous piece. While most occasions of "die rust" in American numismatics are spalling, a chipping of the die steel, this is genuine rust, suggesting that these original Sansom dies had gone into several years of disuse before being resurrected in the 1850s. This medal was struck from the original ca. 1805 dies, apparently just before the 1859 copy dies were put into production. A specimen in the September 2010 Stack's Americana sale was not as nice as this but realized almost $700. This superb piece would improve most established Washingtoniana collections...Sold

Classic 1760 Canada Subdued Medal, Based on the Judea Capta

1760 Canada Subdued medal. Bronze, 39 mm. Betts-430. Choice About Uncirculated. An absolutely gorgeous example of this very scarce French and Indian War medal, showing strong reflectivity and lustre on the obverse and bold detail in the high relief devices. The surfaces are choice chocolate brown with some golden highlights and hints of mint color here and there. This is every bit as nice as the Ford piece and probably a little flashier. Among the French and Indian War medals struck by the SPAC (the Society for Promoting Arts and Commerce, later the Royal Society of the Arts), this is the scarcest. Ford had just two in bronze, compared to six Quebec Takens, which probably illustrates the relative rarity fairly accurately. The designs of the series were all classically inspired, though this is the most direct copy of an ancient coin. The reverse replaces a pine tree for a palm tree and a weeping Canadienne for a weeping Jewess; the creepy beaver behind the melancholy captive just drives the location home. For those who love the Betts medal series but are lost within its enormous size and scope, the medals of the French and Indian War offer a very collectible series. Within that series, the several SPAC medals make for a dramatic small collection: Louisbourg Taken, Quebec Taken, Montreal Taken, and Canada Subdued. Add to that Guadeloupe Taken, also listed in Betts; expand to include the Goree Taken, Pondicherry Taken, and Belleisle Taken and the entire SPAC set is complete. This is the most challenging of the first four mentioned to find, particularly in nice condition. The history of the SPAC is fascinating, including characters like Samuel Johnson and Thomas Hollis, and their medals were the toast of the art scene of their day. They are among the most historically and artistically redeeming of the entire Betts canon...Sold

(ca. 1882-1888) U.S. Army Marksmanship medal. Julian MK-8. Bronze, 51 mm. Mint State. Third Class Prize. One of just 59 struck in bronze at the US Mint. Lovely deep mahogany surfaces show just minimal handling, including some trivial marks at the center of the blank reverse and a small spot right of center on that side. Bronze examples like this are probably scarcer in real terms than their awarded gold and silver counterparts. This one was one of two owned by John Ford, acquired by him in 1981. It is accompanied by its ticket from Ford VII, January 2005, Lot 232...Sold

(Ca. 1829-34) Washington and Lafayette / Par Nobile Fratrum medal. Baker-197. Silver, 26 mm. MS-62 PL (NGC). Misattributed as Baker-202, which uses a different obverse, on the NGC holder. Rich royal blue toning gathers at the rims on both sides, deeper on the reverse, with deep plum and gold over the obverse, light silver gray overall. Deeply reflective and very hard to photograph through the NGC holder, this piece is lovely in hand despite some light hairlines and a couple infinitesimal marks. Accomplished by Charles Cushing Wright of Wright and Bale (and signed W&B at the base of the obverse), this medal was released into the hoopla surrounding Lafayette's triumphant return tour of the United States. Rulau rates it as Rarity-7. It is indeed quite rare in silver and would represent an exciting addition to a collection of Washingtoniana...Sold

Beautiful 1805 Eccleston Washington Medal

1805 Eccleston medal. Bronze, 76 mm. Baker-85. About Uncirculated. Flashy and lustrous dark chocolate brown with hints of mint color remaining around reverse legends. A handsome example of this largest early Washington medal, said to be the highest relief medal ever produced in England by its proud sponsor, Daniel Eccleston. This one shows some light old scratches in the right obverse field, but the surfaces and eye appeal are otherwise choice. Recently found in non-numismatic hands in Pennsylvania, this is fresh to the market after perhaps a century being tucked away. I typically get in the neighborhood of two grand for choice examples...Sold

1816 Boston Schools medal. Silver, 34 mm. Fuld FR.M.BO.2. Choice Fine. Engraved to Francis White, 1816. Holed for suspension. Dusky old silver gray on both sides. Excellent surface quality for the level of wear, very light "FW" graffiti, presumably by young Francis himself, at upper right obverse. This type was first used in 1800, nearly a decade after the medal was first instituted, endowed by a 100 pound gift to the city of Boston in Benjamin Franklin's will. 21 silver medals were distributed each year in Franklin's hometown, given to the top three students in each of seven city schools. They represent one of the earliest collectible American academic medals, a prize given by Franklin himself to students in the town he left behind as a young man. This one's heavy wear surely indicates how much young master White enjoyed handling it...Sold

1898 Capitol Camera Club of Washington DC award medal. Silver, 40 mm. Unsigned. Mint State. Lovely original dark blue toning over reflective fields. Some dust and fingerprints, minor scattered hairlines, really a lovely old medal from the salad days of amateur photography. The obverse shows an old style camera surrounded by three large Cs and the inscription WASHINGTON DC. This medal was distributed for a work displayed at the 7th annual photography exhibition sponsored by the club. The reverse is engraved on the reverse MW Baldwin / April 25, 1898. It's tempting to attribute this to M.W. Baldwin of the famed Baldwin Locomotive Works, but that connection is speculative. This isn't a medal I've seen before, and I'm sure it's at least very scarce. Early photography medals are generally popular, and this is an interesting one...Sold

1862 Abraham Lincoln Indian Peace medal. Julian IP-39. Bronze, 62 mm. Choice About Uncirculated. A beautiful example of this extremely popular Indian Peace medal, perhaps the most popular in the series after Jefferson. Struck from the original dies, this example has gorgeous variegated mahogany bronzed patina, with golds and faint highlights over smooth, attractive surfaces. No marks or rim flaws, a very well preserved specimen of a type that survives in beat up condition fairly often. This is nicer than the Ford piece that brought $1,840 in May 2007. This is the first Lincoln bronze medal I've had in that timeframe, an indication of their scarcity on the market and the high prices they tend to attain when sold at auction...Sold

The Very Rare 1848 James Duncan Medal by CC Wright

1848 Citizens of New York to Brevet Colonel James Duncan medal. White metal, 54 mm. Mint State. A highly elusive medal, struck in bronze and white metal from dies by Charles Cushing Wright and Salathiel Ellis. This piece shows superb detail in the high relief portrait by Wright, bright untoned fields with rich reflectivity, and only minor scattered contact marks. On all known specimens (including this one), there is a substantial vertical die crack from near 12:00 on the obverse through the portrait, likely from the hardening process and a major reason this medal is so scarce. As early as 1867, numismatists were listing this medal among the great historical medals of the 19th century, though today this piece is little known. Since it was struck outside the U.S. Mint -- even though it was produced by two artists who produced many Mint medals -- it is unlisted in Julian and thus obscure. Duncan's heroics in the Mexican War saw him quickly elevated through the ranks. He died of yellow fever in Mobile, Alabama on July 3, 1849. If this medal was listed in Julian, it would sell for twice this sum...Sold

1868 U.S. Grant / Washington medalet. Baker-249, DeWitt USG 1868-25. Silver, 28 mm. Choice Mint State. A very attractive medalet pursued by both political collectors and Washingtoniana enthusiasts. Highly reflective mottled silver gray surfaces exhibit excellent eye appeal and originality. Problem free and nicely preserved. The dies by William H. Key feature a detailed bust of Grant on the obverse and a tiny bust of Washington superimposed atop radiate flags with the legend THE UNION MUST AND SHALL BE PRESERVED. Rulau lists this as Rarity-8...Sold

(ca. 1858) Washington / Mount Vernon medal. White medal, 64 mm. Baker-111. Choice About Uncirculated. A bold, high-relief portrait of Washington shows cameo contrast, deep gray against lightly nicely toned reflective light gray surfaces. Toned but not pested or corroded, no bad marks, just the faintest bit of high point friction. This specimen has been included in the Washingtoniana collections of Paul Magriel (PCAC, June 1988) and Jack Collins (Stacks, 1996), and appropriate tickets accompany this piece. This medal is not as common as many of its contemporaries (including those from the Philadelphia Mint), and its large size makes it particularly desirable...Sold

Rare Early Die State Preble at Tripoli Medal

1804 Edward Preble at Tripoli medal. Bronze, 68 mm. Julian NA-3. Very Fine and a bit beat up. Dark chocolate brown with some hints of gold and a bit of old surface dirt. Lightly worn, if this was a coin it would be Extremely Fine, but the high points show genuine friction. Lots of little marks on the obverse, rims lightly battered (but without the tasty gravy that usually makes such an adjective palatable), tiny attempted puncture above head. The reverse is pretty clean, aside from the rims. This was clearly carried, handled, and apparently much-loved, if by an unsophisticated owner. What is most interesting about this piece to me is its die state - it's extremely early, with no apparent difference from the silver shells piece in Ford that was likely coined during the Jefferson administration. Nearly all the bronze Prebles you'll see either show a good bit of die rust (even before its super-rusty late die state) and rim breaks, often filed at the Mint. This shows neither, and likely dates from the earliest history of this medal. It's not a beautiful medal, but the color is nice and the detailed relief remains impressive. This early die state is probably R-7, maybe high within that range...Sold

The Extremely Rare Charleston Social Club Medal of 1763
One of Just Two in Private Hands

1763 Charles Town Social Club medal. Bronze, oval, 35.8 x 33.6 mm. Betts-508. Choice Mint State. Without question, this is the most important property that has ever been listed on this website. This medal has intrigued me since I first saw one -- this one -- in the fall of 2001. That was the first time anyone other than John Ford and Lucien LaRiviere had seen one in decades; today's generation of collectors has had the privilege of seeing both privately held specimens, since John Ford's example was sold in 2006. Ford once owned both medals. So too did the consignor to the July 1897 Sotheby, Wilkinson, and Hodge sale in London, a fact that hasn't been previously published. Ford sold this example to LaRiviere in October 1972, keeping the other as the "finer" specimen. While reasonable people could disagree, and the other piece is absolutely gorgeous, I prefer this one for its superior centering and sublime color, which is the same "rich medium chocolate brown with generous mint color in the intricacies of the design" I described back in 2001. The third example was in the Bushnell collection and, in 1882, found its way to William S. Appleton and thence into the permanent collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society. One of the specimens was in the collection of the fascinating Thomas Brand Hollis, who died in 1804, affirming its 18th century date.

Aside from its obvious rarity, this medal stands apart from the Betts series on several fronts. Its shape is distinctive, an elegant oval, unique in the series. The design shows two Southern gentlemen of means meeting, "bound in friendship" as the Latin legend states, an iconic representation of the sort of upper-class 18th century life associated with Charleston, South Carolina and also quite unlike any other Betts medal. Further, it is one of very few pieces in the corpus that was intended exclusively for American distribution, along with the Annapolis Tuesday Club medal, the American-made Kittanning Destroyed and Treaty of Easton Quaker peace medals. It is in truly elite company.

Mystery envelopes this medal. It reveals much: it was intended for use in Charleston, South Carolina and was authorized (or marked a founding) on October 6, 1763. Its fabric suggests an English origin. Despite these dangling research carrots, no one has ever puzzled out which of the many social clubs in Charleston commissioned this medal. I described this enigmatic story in a recent Coin World article, the appearance of which happened to bring this piece forth from the woodwork. This is the very first time a Charleston Social Club has ever been publicly offered by private treaty. Since the end of the 18th century, there have been just six appearances of this medal at auction, the first in 1817 and the most recent in 2006. When will the next one be?...Sold

(ca. 1874) Kittanning Destroyed medal. Julian MI-33, Betts-400. Bronze, 48 mm. Mint State. Plain edge. A very rare production of the Philadelphia Mint, one of just 35 struck according to Carl Carlson. The original dies for the Kittanning Destroyed medal were engraved in 1756, making them the very earliest medal dies ever made in the future United States. Those dies survived nearly 120 years, until they finally gave out in 1874. Though these dies are unsigned, they are probably the work of William Barber, who carefully copied the crudity of the originals even though the style of the legends give this away as a late 19th century production. The surfaces show a pleasing medium brown patina with a bit of flash. Some light surface verdigris is noted among the obverse legends, to no great distraction, a few little abrasions are present here and there, and one minuscule rim tick is seen on the reverse at 8:00. Strikes from these dies are actually far rarer than those from the original dies, making this an important rarity for US Mint medal enthusiasts...Sold

1814 Major General Jacob Brown medal. Julian MI-11. Bronze, 65 mm. Choice Mint State. Choice mahogany brown patina is enlivened by golden shades near the central fields and other delicate tones elsewhere. Beautifully preserved, only the most minor hairlines barely visible, some nice reflectivity in the reverse fields. The detail is magnificent, nice from arm's length or under a glass, and this portrait must rank with Moritz Furst's best. Struck to mark Brown's service at Chippawa, Niagara (Lundy's Lane), and the Siege of Fort Erie in the late summer of 1814, the Mint didn't get around to getting Brown a medal until 1822. His gold specimen is in the Smithsonian today, and 128 bronze examples like this one were struck for 19th century collectors...Sold

1815 Major General Andrew Jackson at New Orleans medal. Julian MI-15. Bronze, 65 mm. Choice Mint State. Exemplary reflective light brown, a fairly unusual patina shade for a War of 1812 medal. The obverse shows more reflective gloss than the reverse, only minor handling, single tiny spot over A of GENERAL, thin old scratch in central right obverse field. The Jackson medal is endlessly popular, marking his introduction to the national stage for his victory over the British at New Orleans. Fought after the peace treaty had been signed, it put an exclamation point on the War of 1812 that the treaty of Ghent didn't. Jackson's own gold medal made its way to the ANS after being raffled off on Wall Street by the Jackson descendents in 1885. This one is worth twice today what the gold one was in 1885...Sold

Scarce Eleazer Ripley Medal for Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie
Mintage: 97 Pieces

1814 Eleazar Ripley / Battles of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie Medal. Bronze, 65 mm. Julian MI-19. Choice Mint State. An attractive medal by Moritz Furst, with an appealing and distinctive high relief three-quarter portrait of Ripley on the obverse. The patina is a thick mahogany with lively fields and only minor mottling here and there. Free of spots or corrosion, no bad contact points. There aren't too many medals to celebrate the United States invading other countries, but all three battles cited on this medal actually took place during the American invasion of Canada: Chippawa (spelled Chippewa on the medal), Niagara, better known as the Battle of Lundy's Lane, and the Siege of Fort Erie, across the Niagara River from Buffalo, NY. A beautiful example of this scarce War of 1812 piece...Sold

Superb 1814 Macomb / Battle of Plattsburgh Medal

1814 Alexander Macomb / Battle of Plattsburgh medal. Bronze, 65 mm. Julian MI-16. Choice Mint State. A beautiful lightly bronzed survivor from a mintage of just 133 pieces. Reflective and even tan on both sides, The upper obverse field shows gold and blue toning in its prooflike spaces. Two very minor abrasions in the upper obverse field barely remove this from the gem category. Die rust notable on collar, FURST signature in obverse truncation reduced from lapping. The battle scene on the reverse of the Macomb medal might be Furst's best, inspired by Dupre's masterful Morgan at Cowpens medal and perhaps even more richly detailed. It is beautifully showcased here. War of 1812 medals of this quality rarely last in my inventory long...Sold

High Grade Louisbourg Taken Medalet

1758 Louisbourg Taken / Boscawen medalet. Betts-409. Pinchbeck, 24 mm. About Uncirculated. Some glossy, lustrous surface remains, though areas of the obverse show some dark patina and unnatural red from an ancient cleaning is still present in intricacies of the reverse. The detail on this piece is remarkable, particularly because this tiny entry in the French and Indian War series nearly always comes heavily worn or abused. The Adams specimen was seriously granular, yet was the best encountered over for four decades it took to assemble that cabinet. It brought $299. Ford's was the best one sold in recent memory, netting $1265. This is a very tough to find little item, struck for the masses to celebrate the capture of the most significant French stronghold on the Atlantic coast...Sold

One of just 37 Struck: The Agassiz medal, Julian PE-2

1874 Louis Agassiz medal. Bronze, 63 mm. Julian PE-2. Mint State. If you've graduated from elementary school, you've studied some of Agassiz's theories. He's credited with first proposing the idea of ice ages, following pioneering study of glaciers and paleontology. Swiss by birth, he ended his career at Harvard and died in Massachusetts. The 1896 edition of his Life, Letters, and Works describes this medal as follows:
The other, engraved in 1875 by W. Barber, an artist at the Philadelphia Mint, is much smaller [than another Swiss medal]. The size is 45 millimeters, and is the one used by the National Government for all medals struck to honor the memory of great men in America. The medal taken as a model for that series is the Benjamin Franklin medal, engraved by A. Dupre, in 1784, at Paris. The size is rather small, which gives to all these medals an unattractive appearance. The profile of Agassiz is good, but the details are not so harmonious and exact as they were in nature and in the photograph used by the engraver. On the obverse, the legend is simply Agassiz, without any of his Christian names. On the reverse, we read as exergue na. 1807, ob. 1873, and as legend:Terra Marique Ductor indagatione naturee. This medal also is bronze. During 1876 and 1877 only thirty-one copies were struck; and, in 1879, a silver one was struck, according to the reports of the director of the Mint.
This example is a deep chocolate brown. There is some light evidence of handling, two specks at opposite sides of the obverse inside the rim, and a little area of inactive verdigris inside the rim atop the reverse. There are two versions of this medal, Julian PE-1, the 45 millimeter type described in Life, Letters, and Works, and the rarer PE-2, the larger 63 mm type offered here. Carlson records a mintage of just 37 struck. As one of the few U.S. Mint medals to commemorate a scientist, this medal finds plenty of interest among the sizable proportion of numismatists with an interest in the scientific world...Sold

(1881) Lincoln-Garfield memorial medal. Silver, 25 mm. Julian PR-40. Choice Mint State. The Lincoln portrait side shows magnificent autumnal deep gold toning, with traces of blue at the rims, while the Garfield side is mostly brilliant silver with some of the same tones at the top and the extreme periphery. Lightly handled, with some minor hairlines and other tiny marks in the fields, but still pretty nice for one of these--plenty ended up scrubbed or made into memorial jewelry. Julian notes that 1800 were struck in silver and sold at 60¢ each. They cost more now, especially when they're this nice...Sold

1883 Centennial of the Evacuation of New York by the British medal. Baker-462. White metal, 40 mm. Mint State. Holed as issued. Nice nickel gray with lively lustrous fields, particularly on the reverse. Some light evidence of handling, a little natural flaw under NN of CENTENNIAL on the reverse, very nice looking overall. The obverse depicts Washington on horseback, the reverse shows a charming and detailed scene of the British rowing off to their warships anchored in New York Harbor. Despite its size, and the inclusion of other medals marking this event in the Hibler-Kappen work on so-called dollars, this one didn't make the cut. So it goes. Net result: it's still inexpensive...Sold

1818 Series Numismatica Benjamin Franklin medal by Caqué. Bronze, 41 mm. Choice Mint State. A lovely example of this high relief portrait medal, part of Durand's Series Numismatica medallic gallery of notables. Rich medium brown surfaces show good reflectivity and some delicate toning, most notable in the lower left obverse. No spotting, marks, or friction, far finer than normally seen. Franklin and Washington are the only American worthies included in the series, which numbers north of 100 in total. (Rumor has it a complete set of these will be offered at auction soon.) Struck just 28 years after Franklin's death, this medal notes his Boston birth and the date of his death. It is often included in collections of early American medals despite its French origin...Sold

Superb Quality Oliver Hazard Perry Medal

1813 Oliver Hazard Perry / Battle of Lake Erie medal. Julian NA-17. Bronze, 65 mm. Struck from the ca. 1869 US Mint copy dies. Choice Mint State. Lightly bronzed and very reflective, with remarkable gold, rose, violet, and pale blue highlights on the light tan surfaces. The prooflike fields show some light hairlining, as is typical of Mint medals with these sorts of surfaces. Carlson listed a mintage of just 92 pieces from these dies, which replaced the original dies, broken beyond repair about 1866. Originals of this medal are quite elusive, and examples from these later dies are probably just as rare. This one is essentially unbeatable for quality...Sold

Superb Gates at Saratoga Medal, US Mint Dies
Mintage: 32 Pieces*

(ca. 1893-1904) 1777 Horatio Gates at Saratoga medal. Julian MI-2. Bronze, 56mm. MS-67 BN (NGC). As you would imagine from the grade assigned, this is a really nice medal. Remarkable multicolored and golden toning is present on highly reflective, mark free medium brown surfaces. Perfectly bronzed and pretty nearly unflawed. These dies replaced the original dies, the only dies in the Comitia Americana series that were produced in France but also placed into production at the US Mint. By 1885, those dies had been in service for nearly a century and were ready to be retired. These new dies, presumably by Charles Barber, were first placed into production in 1893 with a mintage of 10 pieces. Up to 1904, when published records end, just 32 had been struck, the last mintage of which was a run of 9 in 1900/01. Perhaps a few more were produced in bronze; none were struck in silver so far as anyone knows. Strictly speaking, this is a very rare Mint medal; Boyd-Ford didn't have it, Dreyfuss didn't have it, and I haven't seen one on the market in the last 5+ years. It is a gem. Is it more or less desirable than a slightly beat up piece that was struck in Paris in the 1780s? I don't know. It is cheaper and prettier...Sold

1813 Governor Isaac Shelby / Battle of the Thames medal. Bronze, 65 mm. Julian MI-21. Mint State. Beautiful ruddy mahogany bronzing covers both sides, with lightly reflective fields and extremely sharp devices on both sides. An unusual patch of pitting atop the reverse is leftover from a poorly made planchet, mostly hidden in the clouds above the battle. The obverse shows a small area of toning at the lower right obverse beneath B of SHELBY, and a tiny rim nick is present on the reverse near 8:00. The reverse of this medal shows a classic battle scene by Moritz Furst, depicting then sixty-three year old Shelby leading his Kentucky volunteers into battle. The Battle of the Thames, which took place in Ontario about fifty miles from Detroit is best known for being the action that killed Tecumseh, but it also left Detroit as securely American from then on. Tecumseh is actually shown dead under Shelby's horse, his tomahawk thrown aside to the right. This specimen appears to have been struck fairly early, as it shows a collaring line or "witness mark" at 12:00 just like the contemporarily struck white metal (and silver) War of 1812 medals. Nice examples of this medal seem tougher to find than other War of 1812 types...Sold

1760 Lima, Peru Carlos III Proclamation medal. Silver, 37 mm. Betts-469. Extremely Fine. Lustrous medium silver gray with beautiful old golden undertones and hints of pale blue and violet at obverse peripheries. Excellent flash and originality. An old scrape is present under the bust truncation, otherwise free of significant marks. Unholed. A popular medallic four reales, included in the Betts book on early American medals. Its distinctive design would make it a standout in a collection of Spanish colonial silver...Sold

1866 Wreck of the Steamer San Francisco Lifesaving medal. Bronze, 80 mm. Julian LS-11. Choice Mint State. A remarkable medal, one of the largest struck by the US Mint, boldly double struck to bring up the high relief details. The surfaces are finely bronzed, light medium brown, with colorful lustrous reflectivity in the fields. A tiny rim nick is seen on the wire rim above J of JOINT, else this is gem. This large medal tends to come well handled, but this one is beautiful. The dies are by Anthony C. Paquet and have to be listed among the highlights of his US Mint career. This medal was voted by Congress to be awarded in gold to 31 men who helped save lives at the wreck of the S.S. San Francisco, which sank in the Atlantic on Christmas 1853 while ferrying hundreds of people to Panama for eventual arrival in Gold Rush California. About 200 died, but hundreds more were saved. The city of Philadelphia also authorized a medal to be given to mark this rescue, listed in Julian as LS-12. As impressive as this one looks in bronze, I can only imagine how magnificent it would be in gold...Sold

Rare and Popular 1824 Washington / Lafayette Counterstamp on Large Cent

1824 Washington / Lafayette medalet dies counterstamp on (1816-24) large cent. Baker-198C. VF-30 (NGC). An exciting historical relic of the Marquis de Lafayette's triumphant return to New York, struck in September 1824, within weeks of LaFayette's arrival on American soil. The surfaces are choice chocolate brown and glossy, showing some remnants of Matron Head large cent undertype on a a host that had been prepared with a file before striking. The marks are complete and nicely detailed, down to the always-weak date. A holed specimen brought about $2000 last September, but auction appearances of this popular piece are few and far between. This one is very pleasing, and it's history has inspired writers since the 1860s. A prize for Washingtoniana or large cent specialists...Sold

John Reich's Classic 1808 Washington Benevolent Society medal, ex Virgil Brand

1808 Washington Benevolent Society medal. Silver, 42 mm. Baker-327, Julian RF-23. Choice Extremely Fine. Holed, like all that I've ever seen, as these were worn at meetings of the Society, but plugged at some point in the past, presumably before Brand got hold of it sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Washington Benevolent Society chapters existed in most cities from 1808 until 1816, essentially serving as Federalist Party ground troops to gather votes against the Democratic-Republicans. Think of this as the membership badge to a highly political organization that opposed President Jefferson, yet it was struck under contract at the U.S. Mint. These usually show some signs of use, and this too shows some minor marks and short scratches from its life on a Federalist lapel. The fields still show some reflective luster under the pale blue and deep golden fields. Reich's tiny R signature is visible at the right side of the reverse exergue line. Clear double striking is seen on both sides, to best bring up the high relief. A Washingtoniana classic and a fine addition to a collection including other works by John Reich. Ex. Virgil Brand Collection, Bowers and Merena, June 1990, Lot 5012...Sold

Rare Savannah, Georgia Yellow Fever Epidemic Medal of 1876

1876 Savannah (GA) Benevolent Association medal. Bronze, 34 mm. Mint State. A beautiful mahogany bronzed medal, a little speckled on the obverse (as made), deeper at the edges on the reverse. When I bought this medal, having never seen one, it looked familiar -- perhaps just like the very rare 1855 Yellow Fever medal struck for Norfolk, VA, one of which was in Ford IX. Once this was gotten back to the John Kraljevich Americana library, it turns out the obverse is a very precise copy of the Norfolk medal. It is not exact -- this donkey stands a little prouder, and this one is signed R. LAUBENHEIMER. Rudolph Laubenheimer was a German-American engraver who also designed medals to mark the 1876 Centennial and the Columbian Exposition. This medal was produced in gold to present to the doctors who risked their lives during the 1876 yellow fever outbreak in Savannah; just 16 were awarded. The number in bronze may have been similarly small, as Dr. Horatio Storer's "The Medals, Jetons, and Tokens Illustrative of Sanitation" in the 1889 edition of The Sanitarian noted these were "very rare." Presumably, if Ford had seen one, he would have acquired it to accompany the gold Norfolk Yellow Fever medal it so closely follows. Its Biblical imagery -- the Good Samaritan along with the citation from the Gospel of Matthew -- makes this a distinctive award medal; the truncated verse I WAS SICK AND YOU VISITED ME appears as the obverse legend. This would be an intriguing and historic addition to a medical-themed medal collection...Sold
The ANS received their specimen in bronze at the January 1878 meeting.

Original William Washington at Cowpens Comitia Americana Medal

1781 William Washington at Cowpens Comitia Americana medal. Betts-594, Julian MI-8. Bronze, 46 mm. Mint State. Plain concave edge, an original striking. Beautiful glossy tan, still a bit reflective, with rose, gold, blue, and violet highlights in the fields and around devices. Unusually choice for an early die state specimen of this medal. The Washington at Cowpens medal was one of the Comitia Americana medals overseen by Thomas Jefferson while in Paris, and it was Jefferson who carried home silver specimens to give to both William Washington and his distant cousin George. This bronze one has been wonderfully cared for over the years and would be a graceful way to represent the Comitia Americana series in your cabinet...Sold

Exquisite Tiffany Associated Press Medal In Case

1897 Associated Press Director's medal. Silver, 51 mm. With case. Choice Mint State. A majestic medal, impressively toned and struck on a hefty 5.5 mm thick planchet. Beautiful pale blue-green toning frames the obverse periphery, with slightly richer tones mixing with gold at the reverse rims. This example is engraved on the reverse EUGENE H. PERDUE / DIRECTOR / ANNUAL MEETING / MAY 19th 1897. The case is black leatherette, with rich purple silk with gilt stamping inside the front cover and a plush velvet book-style hinged central portion; it is in superb shape. The medal is likewise beautiful, with just some light and minor reverse hairlines that may well come from when this piece was engraved. The only other example of this medal I've been able to trace was also given out at the 1897 meeting, to George Schneider, Treasurer. It sold in an October 1994 Heritage sale and brought $275, back when medals were a backwater and no one was bidding on exonumia in Heritage sales. I have heard of another example in a private collection, as told to me by someone I consider an expert as the only one he'd seen in four or five decades. The medal is dated to the organization of the Associated Press, December 15, 1892, though it's possible this medal was not distributed until 1897 -- or only in 1897. Just seven men sat on the board of the Associated Press at the time, so necessarily these sumptuous presentation medals by Tiffany would have been made in small numbers.

The dies are not signed, but they are expertly composed, particularly the obverse, which features a steam locomotive passing a town with electrical wires strung above. The Western Associated Press was founded in Chicago in 1892 to replace the New York Associated Press, then stung by scandal. The modern AP grew out of this organization, which enabled far-flung Western newspapers to share news and thus compete with the big papers in the East. In 1900, the organization moved to New York City, where it has remained. This medal dates to the first years of one of journalism's most august organizations. The recipient, the editor of the Cleveland Leader, was the President of the Western Associated Press from its founding in 1892 until 1896. Any collection of journalism, railroad, or Tiffany medals would be enriched by the inclusion of this impressive piece...Sold

Majestic "Rock of Chicamauga" Medal to George H. Thomas

(1866) Major General George H. Thomas medal. Bronze, 77 mm. Struck at the Paris Mint. Choice Mint State. CUIVRE and bee mark on edge. In original case of issue. A simply beautiful example of this rare medal, voted to General Thomas by the Unionist government of Tennessee. Thomas received a gold specimen, and a small number of bronze strikings were produced in Paris and distributed by Tiffany. The box is black leatherette, with gilt-stamped purple velvet and a plush deep burgandy book-style casing to hold the medal. It has been rehinged with black tape but is otherwise in excellent condition. The medal is essentially gem, with original and reflective medium brown surfaces showing original dust and just a little spot at his nose. There are few large, majestic Civil War commemorative medals actually struck in the era. Thomas' medal is infrequently seen; a polished example sold in 2009 for $646 and the Ford piece brought $517.50 in 2005. When Tennessee returned to secessionist rule in 1869, the Virginia-born Unionist Thomas threatened to return his gold medal from these dies. He had received his specimen on December 15, 1866 in Nashville, on the second anniversary of his defense of the city. If there is such a thing as a classic Reconstruction medal, rich with the dramatic storylines that defined that era, this is it...Sold

Prooflike 1812 Isaac Hull USS Constitution medal by Reich

1812 Isaac Hull / USS Constitution medal. Bronze, 65 mm. Julian NA-12. Choice Mint State. Reflective amber and golden brown, only very lightly bronzed and showing surfaces very much like those found on a proof large cent. Light blue and gold toning intermingles with some ancient fingerprinting, again not unlike a proof large cent. Some minor handling, no bad marks, a single nick in the upper right obverse field and a thin vertical scratch in the left obverse field noted. The reverse shows a substantial cud above 9:00. Struck from John Reich's original dies; Reich signed the obverse under the bust truncation. While most of the Hulls I've handled were heavily bronzed to the typical flat glossy patina, highly reflective ones like this are rather unusual.
If you've ever walked Boston's Freedom Trail, you've been on one of the boats depicted on the reverse of this medal. Currently the world's oldest commissioned warship, the USS Constitution was captained by Hull when she rain against the HMS Guerriere. It was during this action on August 19, 1812, off the coast of Nova Scotia, that the ship earned her nickname of Old Ironsides. The battle took just over a half hour, which inspired the reverse legend HORAE MOMENTO VICTORIA or "Victory in the space of an hour." Congress voted Hull this medal in January 1813. His gold specimen still survives, on display at the U.S.S. Constitution museum in Boston. You can't buy that one. You're welcome to this one for...Sold

Rare Early Brown University Literary Society Medal

1825 United Brothers Society of Brown University membership medallion. Silver, hand engraved. 56 mm from top of hanger to base of medallion, medallion is diamond shaped and 46 mm from top point to bottom point. Extremely Fine. The obverse shows the UB monogram of the United Brothers Society in fancy script, with a handshake and the date of founding (1806) depicted below. The reverse includes the organizations Greek letters Phi (Φ), Theta (Θ), and Gamma (Γ), the initials of the awardee of this medal (HD, for Horace Dresser) and the date it was presented, 1825. The stirrup shaped hanger allows the medal to pivot and spin on its horizontal axis. The engraving is nice quality, though not superb. The surfaces are typical for a worn academic award of this era, showing some evidence of ancient polishing, some minor handling, but little actual wear.

In 1825, just three members were inducted into the United Brothers Society, of which one was Horace Dresser. Dresser went on to get a law degree from Union College and became a leading abolitionist lawyer. According to his biography in Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography, he also published works on the Civil War and on tax law.

The United Brothers Society, according to Brown University's website, was founded in 1806 as the Democratic-Republican (i.e. Jeffersonian) answer to the slightly older Federalist-aligned Philermenian Society. It died out in 1866. This is the only United Brothers Society medallion I've ever encountered. It's a prime piece of Brown University history, linked to the history of liberal student organizations, Greek letter fraternities (of which there are only a handful of older ones), and abolitionism. It's a lot of history and rarity for...Sold

Superb 1896 United States Gold Lifesaving Medal, Awarded for the Rescue of the Seventy-Six
Wrecked in a hurricane off Bermuda, a dolphin saved the men's lives during their 16 days at sea.

1896 State Department Lifesaving medal. Julian LS-3. Gold, 35 mm. Choice About Uncirculated. 38.50 grams, .900 fine gold. Original suspender bar present and well preserved. Ribbon also present, perhaps a replacement. Richly reflective yellow gold with superb eye appeal. As always, these medals, which were awarded to seamen, not numismatists, show some handling. Most are polished; this was not. Light hairlines are present in the deep mirrors of the obverse fields, short scratch before Liberty's nose, other lighter scratches present. The reverse was more protected while worn, thus it shows no significant marks and only the light hairlines from the same wiping as the obverse. This is finer than all but a small percentage of the survivors of these medals.

Designed by George Morgan and first issued in 1880, the State Department medal has always been associated with the Coiled Hair Stella, whose visage of Liberty is very similar. Julian details the efforts of John Hay, as assistant secretary of state, to have these medals struck. Earlier in life, Hay had been Lincoln's personal secretary.

The tale of the awarding of this medal is a fascinating one. The schooner Seventy-Six was built in Thomaston, Maine in 1864, a 98-foot long craft crewed by just seven men. In September 1896 she left Fernandina, Florida bound for Berbice, today a part of Guyana, loaded with lumber. She hit an immense hurricane -- it would become the most expensive to ever hit Florida and caused 114 deaths up and down the East Coast after making landfall at Cedar Key on Florida's Gulf Coast. Leaks sprang; masts went down; provisions were ruined. They caught a dolphin and survived on it for nine days until they caught another. It ended up being a sixteen-day affair, before being rescued. The New York Times of November 7, 1896 reports they were rescued by a Dutch vessel, who left the men at Liverpool. Apparently, they were assisted by the men of the British steamship S.S. Holywell, who are cited on this medal for "heroic services in effecting the rescue of the men and crew of the American schooner SEVENTY-SIX." The Journal of the British Board of Trade indicates that four men from the Holywell were awarded gold medals, including William Allison; this is his medal. The President also awarded a gold watch and chain to the captain and a "binocular glass" to the first mate. The story made the front page of the New York Sun on November 7, 1896, the same day the news hit the New York Times.

Not every lifesaving medal's story can be this well discerned, but this was apparently one of the big stories to come from that year's big hurricane. Allison plainly cared a great deal for this medal, and he took better care of it than most recipients did theirs. In the marketplace, specimens of this medal have become scarce, despite the enormous quantity that hit the market during the 2004 Ford sale. They've disappeared into collections, and Stack's has not offered an example of this type since 2005. That piece, also graded Choice AU, brought $3,910. Six years later, this example -- off the market for decades in a private collection -- is now available for a similar price...Sold

Scarce and Highly Detailed 1864 Medal Commemorating Naglee's Gallantry at Fair Oaks

1864 General H.M. Naglee Fair Oaks medal. Bronze, 58 mm. By Louis Merley, struck at the Paris Mint. About Uncirculated. Edge marked CUIVRE with bee (1860-79). Highly glossy dark chocolate brown, reflective on both sides and a bit lighter on the reverse. Some light marks in the fields from non-numismatic handling, rims clean, color and surfaces very attractive on both sides. The obverse shows sculptural relief in its depiction of Naglee pushing his brigade forward at Fair Oaks in 1862. The first specimen of this medal (perhaps in gold? I've never seen it described or published) was presented to Naglee from his friends on October 26, 1864; it appears that a small number of copper medals were struck at the same time for distribution to associates. Ford had one, and they turn up at auction now and again, but this is not a common medal. It is unusual for being a medal that not only commemorates the Civil War, but was struck and distributed during it...Sold

(ca. 1880) North Georgia Stock and Fair Association medal. Silver, 50 mm. Choice Extremely Fine. Unsigned, but engraved by an accomplished hand. Unawarded, as are almost all known. Lovely old toning of deep gray shows pastel blue at the obverse rims, more lustrous reverse likewise shows bright highlights around light silver centers. A little reverse rim nick is seen below 3:00, only other minor evidence of handling. Livestock and a railroad are seen in remarkable detail in the obverse background, along with towering mountains most reminiscent of Colorado than north Georgia. An attractive American agricultural medal...Sold

1770 Death of George Whitefield medal. Betts-526var. Bronze, 32 mm. Choice About Uncirculated. Glossy and beautiful, with dark chocolate toning on the obverse and traces of mint color around some areas of the reverse. Sharp and choice for the grade. An underappreciated part of the Betts series, the several medals that mark the death of George Whitefield were included to recognize Whitefield's revolutionary impact on early American religious life. He was the greatest celebrity of his era, Billy Grahm with the fame of John Lennon, the greatest box office draw of the 18th century. Ben Franklin once reported that, "in the course...[of a Whitefield sermon] I perceived he intended to finish with a collection, and I silently resolved he should get nothing from me, I had in my pocket a handful of copper money, three or four silver dollars, and five pistoles in gold. As he proceeded I began to soften, and concluded to give the coppers. Another stroke of his oratory made me asham'd of that, and determin'd me to give the silver; and he finish'd so admirably, that I empty'd my pocket wholly into the collector's dish, gold and all." They were lifelong friends, despite their seeming dissimilarities, and one would imagine Franklin may well have owned one of the medallic memorials to this great orator...Sold

1814 Brigadier General James Miller at Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie medal. Bronze, 65 mm. Julian MI-17. Mint State. Deep mahogany bronzed patina on both sides. One of Moritz Furst's best efforts among the War of 1812 series, with a fine depiction of Miller's charge at Niagara (also known as Lundy's Lane) on the reverse that recalls Dupre's best work in the Comitia Americana series. Miller's response to the order to charge the British batteries -- "I'll try" -- is seen at the truncation of his bust on the obverse. A little spot is present at his lips, a bit of toning in the lower right obverse field, nick on the rim at 9:00 on the obverse, very light bruises at 5:00 on obverse and 6:00 on reverse. The rousing reverse is based on a design by Thomas Sully, commissioned especially for the production of this medal. A very pleasing example of this important military medal, struck from the original dies...Sold

1790 Marquis de Lafayette medal by Duvivier. Bronze, 42 mm. Fuld LA.1790.4. About Uncirculated. Strong lustrous reflectivity remains on mottled tan surfaces tinged with a hint of blue. Somewhat handled, scattered minor marks and one tiny rim nick, still very sharp and pleasing. A dark spot is present on the reverse above TS of ETATS. This medal, struck by one of the main artists of the Comitia Americana series, is said to have been produced to offer to the executioner in lieu of the actual head of Lafayette. It proclaims Lafayette as the "avenger of liberty in two worlds," an effort to remind the populace of Lafayette's contributions despite his cozy relationship with the royal family. With its mention of Lafayette's service in the American Army and its origin from the graver of the man who produced the Washington Before Boston, Gates at Saratoga, and two of the Cowpens medals, this makes a natural complement to a Betts collection. This example is an early strike with a plain, concave edge, struck about 1790. It still befuddles me that this medal, admittedly not all that rare, isn't worth more...Sold

Pair of Northern Ohio Fair Association medals. Silver and copper, 41 mm. Unsigned. The bronze piece is named to G. Rau and Co. for "Upholstering Work." Though undated, the fair lasted only from 1870 to 1880. The surfaces are attractive light brown with only minor handling. The silver piece is named to Rau and Cook, Cleveland for "Best Upholstery Work" and dated 1872. It has been banged up a bit, with two fairly heavy rim bruises and mottled dark silver toning. The design is charming, with a horse-drawn trolley at the fair's entrance (part of a discount shuttle service co-sponsored with the Cleveland-area railroads), a horse and cart, a steamship and two sailing vessels on Lake Erie, etc. Issued examples of these medals are fairly scarce. These two were clearly awarded to the same person and have remained together all these years. The two can remain together for...Sold

Prooflike 1812 Isaac Hull USS Constitution medal by Reich

1812 Isaac Hull / USS Constitution medal. Bronze, 65 mm. Julian NA-12. Choice Mint State. Reflective amber and golden brown, only very lightly bronzed and showing surfaces very much like those found on a proof large cent. Light blue and gold toning intermingles with some ancient fingerprinting, again not unlike a proof large cent. Some minor handling, no bad marks, a single nick in the upper right obverse field and a thin vertical scratch in the left obverse field noted. The reverse shows a substantial cud above 9:00. Struck from John Reich's original dies; Reich signed the obverse under the bust truncation. While most of the Hulls I've handled were heavily bronzed to the typical flat glossy patina, highly reflective ones like this are rather unusual.
If you've ever walked Boston's Freedom Trail, you've been on one of the boats depicted on the reverse of this medal. Currently the world's oldest commissioned warship, the USS Constitution was captained by Hull when she rain against the HMS Guerriere. It was during this action on August 19, 1812, off the coast of Nova Scotia, that the ship earned her nickname of Old Ironsides. The battle took just over a half hour, which inspired the reverse legend HORAE MOMENTO VICTORIA or "Victory in the space of an hour." Congress voted Hull this medal in January 1813. His gold specimen still survives, on display at the U.S.S. Constitution museum in Boston. You can't buy that one. You're welcome to this one for...Sold

Historic 1790 Washington Manly Medal, Struck in Philadelphia

(1790) Manly medal. Bronze, 49 mm. Baker-61B. Choice Extremely Fine. Nice even light brown, just a bit darker around design elements. Some light nicks here and there, minor old spot under Washington's queue, usual scattered tiny pits from the casting process used to take the abnormally shaped planchet, with a bump on the obverse to allow for the high relief bust. Double struck, as usual. This example retains Philadelphia merchant Jacques Manly's name at the base of the reverse. The Manly medal was advertised in newspapers from Portsmouth to Savannah and saw extraordinarily wide distribution (this one was purchased in England in recent years). It's my belief that those with Manly's name were actually sold in his Philadelphia store, whereas those with Manly's name scraped off (of about equal rarity) must be those shipped to other urban centers. The Manly medal is a folksy relic of Washington's first year in office, and a centerpiece in any Washingtoniana collection...Sold

Tying A Ribbon Around America: The Battles of Havana and St. John's in 1762

1762 Victories medal. Silver, 41 mm. Betts-441. Choice About Uncirculated. A beautiful example of this scarce medal, particularly elusive in its more regal silver format. This example shows lovely multicolor pastel toning over reflective surfaces. Similar quality to the two Ford examples (which represent 50% of the auction offerings in the last 15 years); those realized $4312.50 each. A gilt bronze example with a hole just brought $862.50 in the January 2011 Stack's Americana sale. This one shows bold evidence of the two strikes necessary to bring up the remarkable relief, best seen in the reverse legends. The reverse, in an echo of issues from 1758 and 1759, celebrates the victories of the year, notably including the invasion and defeat of Havana, an effort including thousands of American colonial troops. A smaller action in Newfoundland is notable as the last battle of the Seven Years War in North America. Just as the victories of 1758 and 1759 are more famous, the medals struck to commemorate them apparently sold better than the 1762 version, when the war was all but over - PAX AUSPICATA means "Peace Foretold."

Today, the population of silver pieces is probably on the order of 10-20...Sold

The Majestic Louisbourg Taken Medal by Pingo, Betts-410

1758 Louisbourg Taken medal. Betts-410. Silver, 44 mm. About Uncirculated. Cleaned long ago and lacquered. Some of the lacquer remains, harmlessly, in the fields, but the prooflike reflectivity of the obverse is preserved despite some light hairlines. The presence of the lacquer has kept all but the extreme peripheries from toning, but it has also protected the nicely lustrous fields and the particularly fresh areas in the intricacies of the obverse design. Fortunately, this piece was never polished or harshly abraded. The reverse, as sometimes seen, is slightly double struck, a testimony to the multiple impressions required to bring up the impressively detailed relief. Perhaps the most artful design to come from the French and Indian War, this medal is sometimes seen looped and worn, indicating its adoption (and possibly issuance) as a military decoration. The obverse shows the joint forces of the British military, the army as grenadier on the left and the navy as "Jack Tar" on the right, united by a banner reading PARITER IN BELLA or "together in battle." The gesture to a globe labeled CANADA and AMERICA with a recognizable coastline and interior waterways. Beneath the globe lays a maiden, representing an undignified France, who has lost her clothing and the fleur-de-lis she grasped, now cast onto the ground inside the rim at 6:00. Thomas Pingo signed the medal nearby. The reverse shows an accurate depiction of Louisbourg harbor (even today), with an artillery installation in the foreground, the town at right, and the burning Bienfasant and the captured Prudent, the last two French ships that remained in the harbor. This medal is rare in silver and occasionally seen in gold. It appears that the gold medals were presented to officers of general and admiral level ranks, as several survive with such provenance, so silver was perhaps awarded (or offered) to the officers of the battle. The victory at Louisbourg was the turning point of the war for North America, allowing British forces access to the Canadian interior and assuaging the hurt psyche of New Englanders, who had captured the fortress in 1745 and seen it given back to France three years later...Sold

1857 Metropolitan Mechanics Institute medal. Julian AM-44, Baker-342. Bronze, 38 mm. About Uncirculated. Offered with the bottom half of the original box, with sticker on bottom from "S. Lewis, Jeweler, Penn. Ave. Bet. 12th and 13th Sts, Washington, DC." Nice chocolate brown with good gloss and lustre on the obverse, lightly cleaned long ago on the reverse. A little spot is present in front of Washington's eye. Awarded to J.L. Eastman of Boston for "Steam Guages" (sic), Eastman's steam gauge, "a good and useful instrument much used on our western waters," also won a silver medal at the 1860 Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic's Association fair. The Metropolitan Mechanics Institute hosted a similar competition in Washington DC. Baker lists this medal as Rarity-6. Its high relief rendition of Washington stands out among his medallic portraits...Sold

Rare U.S. Mint Strike of the William Washington at Cowpens Medal
The Gunmetal Dies, ca. 1863

(1781) William Washington at Cowpens medal. Betts-594, Julian MI-8. Bronze, 46 mm. Choice Mint State. Struck from Philadelphia Mint "gunmetal" transfer dies, ca. 1863. Beautiful medium brown with golden iridescence and lively gloss. The unique texture of these gunmetal die strikes is showcased in problem-free and very attractive fashion. In 1863, amidst growing interest in early numismatic Americana, the US Mint requested the Paris Mint send the original dies for four Comitia Americana medals: John Paul Jones, Washington Before Boston, William Washington, and John Eager Howard. Paris declined (the medals they continued to strike were selling briskly and were undoubtedly a cash cow), but they did send the Philadelphia Mint a small number of strikes from the original dies. James Pollock tasked James Longacre with making transfer dies in soft gunmetal, a bronze alloy, from one of those strikes. The dies created pieces that looked like this, with unusually texture fields (something like a 1926 Sesquicentennial quarter eagle) and slightly softer details. All of the dies ended up with enormous cuds; they were not made to last and made a fairly small number of strikes before being retired in the early 1880s. The Gunmetal strikings of quite rare and underappreciated; they are far rarer than the Paris Mint strikes of 1845-60 or 1860-79. This one is as nice as they come...Sold

The American Flag Debuts On A Medal, 1782 Betts-606

1782 Dutch-American Treaty of Commerce medal. Betts-606. Silver, 32 mm. About Uncirculated. Bright lustrous silver gray, a more sedate golden shade on the reverse, with fine reflectivity. Some hairlines are present, some light ticks, nothing serious. This medal fits into the same historical moment as Betts-604 and 605, but it's far scarcer than those two. It also represents the single earliest appearance of an American flag on a medal, represented in swallowtail pennant form at the left side of the obverse. Once upon a time, when I wrote the LaRiviere catalogue, I thought I was the first guy to figure that out...then years later I found a 1918 publication of the Holland Society of New York which had figured out the same thing 90 years earlier. That primacy among medals with American flags on them (there are a ton of them) makes this an especially desirable Betts number for collectors. They don't turn up on the market often. In 2008, a specimen that was only a little nicer than this one brought $6,325 in a Stack's sale. This one is...Sold

Scarce Tiffany and Co. 1905 St. Nicholas Society Medal, Depicting Peter Stuyvesant

1905 St. Nicholas Society of the City of New York medal by Tiffany and Co. Bronze, 49 mm. Mint State. Even antiqued medium brown patina, nicely preserved in the century since its production. An interesting medal, commissioned to mark the 350th anniversary of Peter Stuyvesant's establishment of the municipal government of the city of New York in 1655. The pegleg pioneer is depicting standing on the obverse in fine style and high relief. The Tiffany imprint is stamped on the edge at 6:00. Founded as a Dutch heritage society in 1835 by Washington Irving and other New Yorkers, the St Nicholas Society survives today...Sold

Important Original John Paul Jones Comitia Americana Medal

1779 John Paul Jones Comitia Americana medal. Betts-568, Julian NA-1. Bronze, 57 mm. About Uncirculated. 1262.4 grains. From the Stack's Chicago ANA sale, where I described it as "a fine original striking of the most visually appealing of American naval medals, featuring Houdon's famous bust of Jones on the obverse and a battle scene on the reverse whose design was personally supervised by Jones himself. The surfaces are glossy and pleasing, toned a melange of golden medium brown and deeper mahogany. Some minor plaque clings to the obverse behind Jones's epaulet and a few places elsewhere. Little batch of nicks noted on reverse under ATI of FVGATIS, other minor marks present but insignificant. The die state on this is quite early. The Paris Mint started marking the edges of Jones medals about 1842. Any striking from these dies is avidly sought, though plain edge ones (the originals) are most of all. Many of the original strikings were poorly handled, sometimes even mounted, so a piece like this finds much to recommend it." Originals of this quality trade about one a year or so, and they never stay on the market long...Sold

Set of 1861 US Mint Oath of Allegiance Medals in Silver and Bronze

1861 US Mint Oath of Allegiance medals. Pair, bronze and silver. 30 mm. Julian CM-2, Baker-279. Both Choice Mint State. One of the most interesting of the Washington portrait pieces struck at the US Mint, coined to mark the day in September 1861 when all employees of the Philadelphia Mint swore allegiance to the Federal Union, just five weeks after the First Battle of Bull Run. The silver piece is deeply reflective on both sides, with dusky golden toning over the brilliant silver surfaces. Some light striations in the lower right obverse field were on the planchet before striking, only very minor hairlines are seen intermingled with the old, attractive toning. The bronze piece is a rich bronzed mahogany with no spots or flaws, excellent overall quality. Just 259 were struck in silver. In striking this medal, Mint Director James Pollock was able to palliate the suspicions that Rebels had infiltrated the mother mint and produce a piece that would readily sell to the avid collecting base for new Washington medalets. Two fine examples of this fascinating medal...Sold

Majestic George Meade Medal by Anthony C. Paquet

1866 General George Meade medal. Bronze, 80 mm. Julian PE-20. Choice Mint State. A choice survivor from a mintage of just 100 pieces, still contained in the blue velvet lined black leatherette case of issue. The bronzing is a rich, dark chocolate shade, save for a thin crescent near the obverse rim that retains some faded mint color. The surfaces show no marks or imperfections, just a bit of old buildup that has protected the surfaces. One of the largest medals in the Mint series, this issue was produced for the Union League of Philadelphia as a gift to Meade in honor of his "distinguished personal gallantry on that ever memorable field, Gettysburg." Those words appeared engraved on the gold specimen of this medal that Meade personally received, which sold in a Pennsylvania auction a decade ago for the bargain price of $11,000. Though included in Julian's "Personal" series, this medal deserves a spot in the MI-themed collections of US Mint medals, as the only US Mint medal struck to commemorate the victory at Gettysburg...Sold

Rare Gilt Bronze 1867 Joseph Mickley Medal

1867 Joseph Mickley / President of the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia medal. Gilt bronze, 50 mm. Dies by William H. Key. About Uncirculated. An extremely rare format for this scarce portrait medal; I've never seen a gilt example, nor can I find record of one being offered. Bronze is the usual format, though there are a few silver examples (like the gem in the Damon Collection sold a few years ago). Mickley was the first President of the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia; they struck this medal in his honor the same year his cabinet was burglarized and he abruptly consigned most of the rest to W. Eliot Woodward for auction. This example shows complete bright gilding, undoubtedly done at the time of mintage, as the planchet shows some of the typical light granularity left by the process. Some fine hairlines are present, light toning at base of reverse, handsome and attractive overall. If anyone knows of another gilt specimen in existence, I'd love to know about it....Sold

Remarkable Ca. 1900 Photograph of Indian Chief Wearing Four Indian Peace Medals
...Including a Large Size Thomas Jefferson Indian Peace medal.

(ca. 1895-1905) Photograph of an Indian Chief wearing four Indian Peace medals. Image size: 6 1/2 x 8 1/2", framed to 16 1/2 x 18 1/2". I purchased this as a platinum emulsion print, though a photographer friend has since told me it is likely a silver emulsion due to the range of hues and toned, lustrous appearance. The detail in the image is magnificent -- my amateurish attempts to photograph this photograph don't stand up to the original. The Indian, apparently a Sioux, stands a three-quarter view, holding a long peace pipe in one hand and a medicine bag in the other. The detail, contrast, and range of color within a "black and white" palate makes for a great artistic achievement. There are no condition problems, spots, tears, wrinkles, or anything I see wrong with it.

Putting a glass to the image makes plain precisely which medals the chief is wearing. From bottom to top: a large size Thomas Jefferson, a large size James Buchanan, a Ulysses S. Grant, and one of the private Washington portrait fur trade medals which Prucha traces to Pender, Nebraska before 1901. These medals trace this Indian's ancestry like a family tree: the ca. 1803 Jefferson was likely his grandfather's; the 1857 Buchanan, his father's; the 1877 Grant his own as a young man; and Washington fur trade medal is likely brand new in the time of this photograph. Most exciting is the possibility that the Jefferson medal was distributed by Lewis and Clark. The ca. 1900 Pender, Nebraska Washington fur trade medals were distributed along the Missouri, a century earlier, Lewis and Clark spent the night of August 15, 1804 about 25 miles from Pender. There were treaties affecting the northern Nebraska region signed during both the Buchanan and Grant administrations, and the man depicted could be a Pawnee, an Omaha, or a Ponca.

I've never taken this photograph out of its frame, and there may be more identifying information on the photographer or the sitter within. The image itself is one of the most arresting portraits of an Indian wearing his medals I've ever seen. They literally stretch from the beginning of the Indian Peace medal series (Jefferson's were the first with the Peace and Friendship reverse) to the end. The Pender Washington medal was struck 10 years after the cessation of the program but its design type is based on the conventional Peace and Friendship theme pioneered under Jefferson. A century of history -- three generations of a single family -- is told with this portrait, though the man depicted may remain anonymous forever. It is rare to find numismatic-related wall art that is at once this beautiful and this historic...Sold

A Beautifully Original Bryan Dollar

1896 Bryan dollar. Silver, 52 mm. HK-781, Zerbe-6. Choice About Uncirculated. Nicer than so many of the certified Mint State pieces, and the vast majority of surviving examples of this variety overall, with beautiful old toning of slate blue and deep violet with gold around the motifs. Still lustrous and reflective, some minor hairlines and handling, a few little marks on the reverse. Just a very attractive example of this classic and historical type by Gorham...Sold

Rare Ca. 1863 US Mint Striking of Washington Before Boston Medal

1776 Washington Before Boston Medal. Julian MI-1, Baker-49. Bronze, 68 mm. Mint State. 2523.2 grains. Struck from the so-called "gunmetal" transfer copy dies, produced at the US Mint circa 1863. I wrote this piece up for the Stack's 2011 ANA sale as follows: "Deep beautiful mahogany bronzing envelopes glossy, textured surfaces on both sides, with hints of deep blue and some gold at central reverse. The patina is thin on some letters of EXERCITVVM and nearby from a light abrasion, some minor marks in central reverse field. A handsome example of this rare American-made variant, produced after the US Mint used an original striking as a hub to produce transfer dies. This transfer process was used to produce new dies for the John Paul Jones, William Washington, John Eager Howard, and Washington Before Boston medals. For each of these, the only other versions of the medal then available had to be imported from France, where the Paris Mint was still producing pieces using original dies. Only small numbers of the "gunmetal" versions of these medals were made, perhaps because the swirling, matte texture of their surfaces was not as appealing as the reflective Paris Mint strikings of the era, or perhaps because these transfer dies were prone to breakage and had a useful life of only a few hundred strikes. While all other examples of Julian MI-1 before about 1890 were coined in Paris, this type was, in keeping with Julian's theme, actually coined at the U.S. Mint." I went through Julian and came up with a mintage in bronze of just 108 pieces from these dies. They don't turn up all that often, and this one has very nice eye appeal despite a couple minor marks...Sold

Original Comitia Americana medal, Lt. William Washington at Cowpens, South Carolina

1781 William Washington at Cowpens Comitia Americana medal. Betts-594, Julian MI-8. Bronze, 46 mm. Mint State. Plain edge, an original striking. I described this piece in the 2011 Stack's ANA Sale as follows: "Medium brown with faint gold and blue highlights on the lustrous, semi-reflective fields. Some shallow natural planchet roughness is seen in the obverse field and at upper reverse under a glass, minor obverse hairlines, two parallel diagonal pinscratches toned over across central reverse, some minor nicks here or there. Somewhat handled, but none of the problems stands out without magnification. A sharp production of the Paris Mint and a desirable addition to an early American medal collection, definitively coined before 1840 and likely considerably earlier." Historic, rare, and attractive, a very desirable relic of the American Revolution...Sold

Prooflike 1812 Isaac Hull USS Constitution medal by Reich

1812 Isaac Hull / USS Constitution medal. Bronze, 65 mm. Julian NA-12. Choice Mint State. Reflective amber and golden brown, only very lightly bronzed and showing surfaces very much like those found on a proof large cent. Light blue and gold toning intermingles with some ancient fingerprinting, again not unlike a proof large cent. Some minor handling, no bad marks, a single nick in the upper right obverse field and a thin vertical scratch in the left obverse field noted. The reverse shows a substantial cud above 9:00. Struck from John Reich's original dies; Reich signed the obverse under the bust truncation. While most of the Hulls I've handled were heavily bronzed to the typical flat glossy patina, highly reflective ones like this are rather unusual.
If you've ever walked Boston's Freedom Trail, you've been on one of the boats depicted on the reverse of this medal. Currently the world's oldest commissioned warship, the USS Constitution was captained by Hull when she rain against the HMS Guerriere. It was during this action on August 19, 1812, off the coast of Nova Scotia, that the ship earned her nickname of Old Ironsides. The battle took just over a half hour, which inspired the reverse legend HORAE MOMENTO VICTORIA or "Victory in the space of an hour." Congress voted Hull this medal in January 1813. His gold specimen still survives, on display at the U.S.S. Constitution museum in Boston. You can't buy that one. You're welcome to this one for...Sold

Historic Early 18th Century Indian Trade Medal, Betts-162, Issued in Colonial Pennsylvania

(ca 1726) George I/II Indian Trade medal. Bronze, 41 mm. Betts-162, Quarcoopome III-F. Good. A well-worn and historic witness to Iroquois-English relations in the first half of the 18th century. Typically found in archaeological contexts in New York and Pennsylvania, this type was a private enterprise by famed Pennsylvania Indian trader / Proprietary official / scientist James Logan, once the personal secretary of William Penn and later Mayor of Philaelphia. Ebenezer Nii Quarcoopome's monograph on this type, part of the ANS COAC volume The Medal in America, published in 1988, establishes a connection to Logan, then the Secretary of the Province of Pennsylvania, from a 1726 letter ordering several hundred medals from a manufactory in Birmingham - the sort of place that would produce Admiral Vernon medals a decade later in a similar texture and composition. Unlike later silver Indian Peace medals, which were diplomatic tools, these base metal medals were strictly to lubricate the fur trade: "Indian Goods must goe only to the traders to receive skin," wrote Logan. This medal was clearly worn for a long time by its Native recipient. The loop, once present at 12:00, is gone, as is found on this type more often than not. The reverse is heavily worn, with just the outline of the arrow-wielding Indian and a trace of the deer he targets. The obverse shows the high relief portrait clearly and a portion of the legends, with KING OF GREAT legible atop that side. The minor flaws - traces of roughness, some marks, etc - are light for the grade. Maybe the heavy nick at the central reverse was the result of bouncing atop another looped Indian Peace medal for years; it's the only notable mark.
It seems odd that a piece with so much history, a medal that lived in the woods of Pennsylvania in the decades before the French and Indian War, this relic from the pages of Conrad Richter's A Light in the Forest or Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans costs about the same as a low-end Spanish Trail half dollar...Sold

"Hey there, want to come see my mastodon?"

1821 Philadelphia Museum token. Julian UN-23, Rulau PA-398. Bronze, 32 mm. About Uncirculated. Some luster persists on lively medium brown surfaces, lightly toned with pale blue around devices. Quite flashy, an unusually handsome specimen of this popular early token. There are some minor hairlines, a bit of schmutz around the reverse devices, and a couple of rim nicks, including a significant one over UM of MUSEUM. Excellent eye appeal, far nicer than these usually come...Sold

A more worn example, perhaps VF or better by detail, with slightly granular surfaces and a bit of pitting. It probably totally wrecked some Philadelphia school kid's day when he or she lost this in the ground almost 200 years ago...Sold

A year after these pieces were struck at the Philadelphia Mint, Charles Willson Peale painted a now famous self portrait entitled "The Artist and His Museum", giving us a good idea of just what those who presented these charming tokens were bound to encounter on their visit. The museum, founded in 1786, took up new confines on the second floor of Independence Hall in 1802, where it remained until its closure with Peale's death in 1827. Much of its contents ended up in the possession of PT Barnum. Peale's son Titian designed the reverse of the Gobrecht dollar; fifteen years before Gobrecht engraved the dies for that coin, he engraved the dies for these.Sold

1873 Boston Numismatic Society medal. Dies by G.H. Lovett, issued by Isaac F. Wood. Copper. Gem Mint State. Nearly full mint red remains, reflective and highly attractive. Whomever paid sixty cents for this in 1873 took nice care of it. The American Journal of Numismatics took notice of this medal when struck and described it as follows: "Obverse: Within two circles, a fac-simile of the seal of the Boston Numismatic Society [on which is represented the rare New-England Three-pence, a Pine Tree, the early symbol of Massachusetts, and three hills, representing those on which Boston was built: Fort Hill, Beacon Hill and Copp's Hill, and, Instituted I860.] On the outer circle, " Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant, 1873 ;" on the inner, " Boston Numismatic Society. Incorporated 1870." Reverse: Fac-simile of the Seal of the New-England Historic, Genealogical Society,--a Shield on which is a Pine Tree, representing New-England, surrounded by a belt bearing the motto, "In Memoriam Majorum ;" at the sides, "Inc. 1845 ;" above, a hand issuing from the clouds holding a volume of Records; the whole encircled by the name of the society. On the outer edge, "Twin Delvers in the Garden of History;" below, " (Isaac F. Wood's Memorial Series)." These were struck in silver, brass, and copper, and few of the survivors look as nice as this one...Sold

Foundational and Very Rare 1772 Resolution and Adventure Medal
Captain Cook's Gift to the Natives of the Pacific

1772 Resolution and Adventure medal. Betts-552. Brass (called platina), 42.5 mm. Original integral mount at 12:00. Choice Extremely Fine. A choice example of this famous and important exploration medal, an issue that may be considered the foundational Western artifact in Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia. Two thousand pieces in this composition were struck to the order of Sir Joseph Banks, the lead scientist on Captain James Cook's expeditions, to distribute to natives the ships Resolution and Adventure encountered as they explored the Pacific. At least one was distributed in North America, during Cook's stop in Nootka Sound, on the coast of Vancouver Island, in March 1778. These medals were used in essentially the same way Indian Peace medals were, often accompanied by ceremony, trade, and recognitions of authority. This brassy composition, called "platina" in the original documents, was the only one used for distribution to natives, though silver, copper, and two gold examples were also struck. No artifact better defines the point of native-Western contact in Oceania. The concept of the Resolution and Adventure medal -- and the design, incorporating the two ships -- inspired the 1787 Washington and Columbia medal, which was also distributed in the Pacific Northwest. Not coincidentally, explorer John Ledyard of Connecticut was a part of both expeditions. Today, specimens in this condition are very rare. Those that have been found in the ground (most of them) rarely fared well (such as this one in a New Zealand historical society). This one shows a shallow area of corrosion around the word FRANCE on the obverse and a speck inside the bottom reverse rim. The wear is light and the surfaces are free of disturbances. This piece was acquired by John Ford from Fred Baldwin in 1967. When Ford's collection of these was sold, including four in this distribution composition, it represented a healthy portion of the auction appearances of this medal over the past two decades. Thoroughly American (these medals were present when Cook became the first Westerner in Hawaii) but in demand all over the Pacific Rim, these medals perhaps surpass traditional American Indian Peace medals in their historical importance. This example is nice enough to be a point of pride in a superb cabinet...Sold

Fire Gilt 1799 Westwood Medal, One of Three Seen

1799 Westwood medal. Baker-80. Gilt bronze, 41 mm. About Uncirculated. A very rare entry in among the 18th century medals issued to mark George Washington, just the second gilt example known to me. Struck in England in the months after Washington's death in December 1799, Baker numbers 79 through 83 all emanate from the shop of Obediah Westwood, the dies apparently cut by his son John (born 1774). Baker-81, which uses a different reverse die, is also known in gilt bronze; the only one seen is the beautiful Norweb (2006) example, which brought over $3,500. The only other gilt Baker-80s I know of are the Ford piece, called "very rare and underrated as such, this being the first the cataloguer has seen," and a piece sold in London in a June 2010 Spink sale. The gilding on this specimen is almost complete, worn on the obverse highpoints and just barely mellowed in some areas of the fields. The lustre and flash is nearly intact. Some minor hairlines are seen, a couple minor rim bruises, very attractive and visually striking overall. This would be a very difficult item to replace...Sold

High Grade 1776 Pocket Calendar Medal

1776 calendar medal by Winckelman, Brussels. Pinchbeck metal, 40 mm. Choice About Uncirculated. Toned dark olive brass with lustrous golden undertones and hints of pastel blue. About as nice as an 18th century calendar medal gets, as these things were usually used and carried for the duration of the year, with grades typically ending up in the Fine to Very Fine range. This one is French language and struck in Brussels for an audience in the Low Countries, but its "magical date" of 1776 makes it the most in-demand of 18th century pocket calendars. This is the nicest quality 1776-dated calendar I've ever seen or handled...Sold

Victory and Defeat in a Single Day: USS Wasp vs. HMS Frolic, 1812

1812 Jacob Jones / USS Wasp medal. Julian NA-13. Bronze, 65 mm. Choice About Uncirculated. Rich mahogany bronzing with no spotting, a nice even example. Some minor marks are seen, including an old dig on Jones' head and a few others on the obverse. Good eye appeal, excellent detail on both sides. A scarcer entry in the War of 1812 naval series, marking the October 1812 battle between Jones' USS Wasp and the British sloop HMS Frolic, which was accompanying a merchant fleet departing from Honduras. The ships encountered each other in the middle of the Atlantic, and Wasp won handily in just a half hour. The celebration was short-lived, as another British vessel came by just a few hours later and captured Jones and his crew; they were later released, though the Wasp was captured. And you thought you went through major mood swings in a single day. This medal is struck from Moritz Furst's original dies, one of just 150 struck according to the late Carl Carlson...Sold

A Gold Medal Awarded a New Hampshire Sweat Shop: Fine Fabrics Made by Child Labor

1881 Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics Association medal. Gold, 38 mm. Julian AM-33. 28.33 grams. Choice Mint State. Dies by Christian Gobrecht, ca. 1837. Struck at the U.S. Mint. Reverse inscribed to Amory Manufacturing Co for Factory Fabrics, 1881. Superb condition, fully reflective rich yellow gold, just some very minor hairlines that are nearly unavoidable on medals such as this. The Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics Association was founded in 1795 and awarded medals for all manner of technical achievements at their annual fair in Boston. Amory Manufacturing was a Manchester, New Hampshire cotton mill, one of the many lining the Merrimack River in the late 19th century. If you or someone you know has attended law school, you've probably heard of it - Buch vs. Amory Manufacturing Company (1897) is a classic tort case, which found that the mill had no legal responsible towards an eight year old whose hand was crushed in their machinery while he was learning how to use the equipment from his 13 year old brother, since he was technically a trespasser. If you're a law nerd, look about halfway down this page and read all the details.
While this is a fairly common medal in the galaxy of 19th century U.S. Mint medals in gold, this specimen is in superior condition to most. Some medals have more interesting stories than others, but this is pretty sexy for a fabric medal - there aren't too many numismatic monuments to child labor, but here's one. It is a beautiful one, and less dear than most that have sold recently at auction...Sold

Rare and Attractive Gilt 1878 Wyoming Massacre Medal

1878 Wyoming Massacre Centennial medal. Gilt copper, 36 mm. HK-120. Choice Mint State. Dies by George T. Morgan of the U.S. Mint. One of 152 struck in this finish, along with 324 in bronzed copper, 1014 in white metal, 200 in silver and 7 in gold. Remarkably lustrous and vibrant bright gilding remains intact, with no breaks on either side or the edge. The reverse field is a little reflective, though it shows some innocent hairlines. A single tiny spot is noted beneath BATTLE atop the obverse. A vivid scene of the Indian raid is depicted on the obverse, with four braves wielding a flintlock, spears, and a raised tomahawk against the two Anglo-American men on the ground. A house burns in the background. One must assume this was a more artistically satisfying composition for Morgan than his famed silver dollar of the same year, and perhaps even moreso than the elegantly simple pattern half dollars he produced in 1877. The reverse depicts the 1833 obelisk that marks the grave of those massacred, along with the lines DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI, the line from Horace made famous by the World War I poem by Wilfred Owen. The battle took place outside of the Forty Fort, at the town of the same name in northeastern Pennsylvania, the childhood home of a noted numismatist who name rhymes with Save Towers. This is one of the more colorful and graphically interesting so-called dollars, a nice prize to add to a collection in this attractive and rare gilt finish...Sold

A Beautiful Example of Daniel Eccleston's 1805 Washington Medal

1805 Eccleston medal. Bronze, 76 mm. Baker-85. Choice Mint State. A classic early Washington medal, one that was present in the collections of Jefferson, Madison, and others. Eccleston, a English Quaker with radical political ideas "many eccentricities," according to Baker, engaged Thomas Webb to produce the dies for this hefty medal. He later bragged that it was the largest medal produced of Washington and of the highest relief of any medal struck in England to that time. The relief is truly impressive, as is the innovative way that the planchets were produced. They were finely cast in a form that allowed the portrait to be fully realized: basically a normal planchet with a big bump in the middle of one side. The only downside of the process is a hallmark of anything struck on a cast planchet, occasional traces of fine pitting here and there. This piece shows very little of this phenomenon. The obverse is nicely reflective, toned a rich mixture of chocolate browns with light golden highlights in the field and traces of violet and blue. The reverse preserves perhaps half of its original red around the letters, far more than normally seen on even high grade specimens. A little mark is present off Washington's forehead, some other light haymarks in the fields, a well-preserved and beautiful example overall. The medal that Eccleston sent to Jefferson is still present at Monticello. After spending two to three years in America, including a few days with Washington at Mount Vernon, undoubtedly many more specimens made their way to these shores. Few survive in this fine condition...Sold

A Superb Gem Thomas Macdonough Medal in a Tiffany Presentation Box
Just 34 Pieces Struck

1814 (i.e. 1884) Thomas Macdonough / Battle of Lake Champlain medal. Bronze, 65 mm. Julian NA-15. Superb Gem Mint State. Housed in original black leather Tiffany box, borders gilt and stamped in blind on interior and exterior, gilt stamped TIFFANY & CO / NEW YORK / PARIS / LONDON inside front cover, hinged green velvet frame custom-made for medal is in working order, box a bit crumbled at edges, clasp is functional. This medal is perhaps the nicest of its kind, an absolutely remarkable mark-free gem that I would probably grade MS-67 if I was held down and forced to give a medal a numerical grade. The light brown surfaces are gracefully toned gold and rose over the reflective fields. Some cameo effect is apparent. Free of marks, well protected from its years inside this velvet box. I purchased this medal from the descendants of an official of the Battle of Plattsburgh centennial celebration in 1914, along with a lovely original dies Alexander Macomb medal in a similar Tiffany box that I will offer soon that I just sold. This medal is struck from the original Furst obverse and the Mint copy reverse by Charles Barber, which Carlson found were active from only 1884 to 1904, after the retirement of the original reverse. Carlson's research noted a total mintage from these dies of 34 pieces. The tie to Tiffany is unclear - either they simply custom made the boxes, or they acquired the medals for the Battle of Plattsburgh celebration. As this medal was discovered with other items from that centennial celebration, the descendents assumed it was presented as part of his duties there. They took spectacular care of it, and I very much doubt a better one exists. The only one Stack's has had from these dies in the last half dozen years (since Ford) was a scruffy EF...Sold

"A Monument Worthy The Memory of Washington" - Dolley Madison

1848 Washington Monument Cornerstone Laying medal. White metal, 40 mm. Baker-320. Choice Uncirculated. Called Rarity-7 in the latest Rulau edition of Baker. This example was once owned by Virgil Brand, sold in Bowers and Merena's sale of June 1990 as lot 5009. Though this medal is unsigned, there is evidence that the Baltimore metalsmith Jacob Seeger either struck it, engraved it, or both. I've never published this anywhere, but in the publication entitled Oration Pronounced By The Honorable Robert C. Winthrop, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States, on the Fourth of July, 1848, on the Occasion of Laying the Corner-Stone of the National Monument to the Memory of Washington With An Introduction and an Appendix (quite a mouthful) there is a list of the various items deposited in the cornerstone of the Washington Monument. Plenty of numismatic items - what sounds like an 1848 Proof Set in silver and gold, handfuls of new cents, some Continental Currency, and some other items - are included, but most important here is the line item for "Silver Medal representing General Washington and the National Monument, by Jacob Seegar." The Rulau book notes "The designer of this medal is not known." Well, pencil Jacob Seegar into your copy. He's known numismatically primarily for his 1851 storecard, Miller Md 148, with a lovely radiate Liberty Cap on the obverse and a business motto promoting him as a "silver plater and manufacturer of fancy ornaments." His biography therein notes that he supplied metal ornaments for the Mexican War in 1848. Striking a medal is certainly within his skill set.

This specimen is holed, as are all that I've ever seen, undoubtedly for wearing on a ribbon to the actual cornerstone laying. The surfaces are fully lustrous, with only light handling and a whisper of reverse toning. Most of the survivors seem to have held up fairly well, but this remains a very scarce medal...Sold

Extremely Rare Betts-604 Dutch-American Treaty of Commerce Medal in Silver Shells

1782 Dutch-American Treaty of Commerce medal. Silver Shells, 45 mm. Betts-604. Choice About Uncirculated. Beautifully engraved by J.G. Holtzhey, the Amsterdam medalist formerly in charge of the Utrecht Mint. Superb light hazy toning in light gray and multicolored pastels over reflective fields. Some light hairlines are visible under the toning, themselves nearly as old as the medal. Areas around the periphery show some tooling marks where this medal was, literally, handcrafted; its two individual shells were carefully joined to a silver rim. The shells, just thin sheets of silver, were struck just once; the relief of this medal in its usual solid form required two strikes, which are visible on many specimens. This is the only example of this medal I've ever seen struck as silver shells. Other medals of this era are struck the same way: the ca. 1782 Johann Van Der Capellen tot den Pol medal (ex LaRiviere and Ford) was struck the same year in the same city as shells, its only known form. Silver shells is also the only form the Philadelphia Mint used to produce 1801 Thomas Jefferson Indian Peace medals and 1804 Preble medals in silver. One wonders if they encountered the technology through a medal just like this one - especially since John Adams himself recommended that Holtzhey ship some to sell in Philadelphia. "I think you would find a sale for many of them at Boston and Philadelphia," Adams wrote to Holtzhey on November 2, 1782, regarding Betts-603, "When I return to Holland, I shall be glad to purchase a few of them to give to my friends."

Specimens of this medal in its typical solid silver format have sold for as much as $5000 at auction. Ford's brought closer to $2000 back in 2006 (yes, it's been five years since Ford 14). Neither Ford nor LaRiviere had this type in silver shells...Sold

(Circa 1824) General La Fayette medalet. Silver, 17 x 13 mm. Fuld LA.M.12. Extremely Fine. Dark grey toning in the fields, lighter silver highlights on the gently worn high points. Some minor surface plaque is present, visible under a glass. A few old light scratches are present on the reverse, probably where this rubbed against other jewelry while being worn. While not produced from precisely the same head punch as the diminutive medalets and related countermarks dated 1824, the lettering appears identical, the texture is the same, and the sizes are very similar. While the round Washington / Lafayette medalets of this sort turn up on occasion, most specimens bring four figures. This oval medalet of the era is far scarcer. Lafayette material is badly underrated compared to medals of Washington, Franklin, and other Revolutionary figures. Most, like this, dated from his triumphant return visit to the United States...Sold

Very Nice 1815 Andrew Jackson Battle of New Orleans Medal

1815 Andrew Jackson at New Orleans medal. Julian MI-15. Bronze, 66 mm. Mint State. Even medium mahogany with reflective surfaces still apparent under some old surface dirt in the fields. Great detail, no marks to note or cabinet friction. A few tiny rim cuds are seen inside the outside rim on the reverse, but the light reflectivity suggests a relatively early strike, as these become fairly dully finished later. One of the nicer examples of this medal - the first ever struck to honor Andrew Jackson - I've seen...Sold

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