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MORE ON U.S. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY MEDALS
Jonathan Brecher writes: The United States Agricultural Society medal is a U.S. Mint medal, catalogued as Julian AM-78. Julian does not provide mintages. In my experience it's "not that rare" as U.S. Mint medals go, which means "quite rare" in absolute terms. Sale prices have historically been in the range of $200 for bronze and $400 for silver examples, although the pictured example in the case is particularly nice. Examples of this medal were struck in gold, silver, and bronze. Alan Weinberg agrees. He writes: The medal was struck by the US Mint, Julian AM 78 and is known in bronze, silver and gold. Bowers and Ruddy auctioned a gold specimen perhaps 30 years ago. This is the only gold I've ever seen. It is a relatively common medal in silver - even in its case - and somewhat scarcer in bronze. Most extant specimens are hand engraved to a recipient. A choice silver, engraved, in its original plush case circa 1875 would probably be worth $550.-$600
These independent assessments are in the same ballpark. Much of course, depends on the condition of the medal and the presence and condition of the presentation box and any accompanying materials. Jonathan noted that one example is coming up in August in a Stack's Bowers sale. Here's the listing. -Editor
1860 United States Agricultural Society Award Medal. Silver. 74.8 mm. 115.4 grams. By F.N. Mitchell. Julian AM-78, Harkness Nat-280. Extremely Fine. This rarely seen U.S. Mint medal was first struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1858, and gold, silver, and bronze examples were produced until the Society ran out of funds in 1861. The reverse describes who this one is awarded to: CHARLES BULLITT / FOR / MARBLE BUST / CINCINNATI 1860. Numerous small contact marks and hairlines evident from old cleanings, although this piece is still presentable and actually quite attractive.
To read the complete lot description, see:
Thanks, everyone. -Editor
To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
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