SOME INTERESTING MEDALS: JUNE 3, 2018

After a long hiatus due to a series of illnesses. We are pleased to report that we are almost back in fighting shape with no serious after-effects. We are most appreciative of the many e-mails and phone calls expressing concern over our condition. Many prayers were offered in our behalf and, from the look of things, they were answered in a positive manner. We have rescheduled our usual spring auction to this coming fall.

Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence Medal

MECKLENBURG CENTENNIAL, 1875. CM-28. 30.4mm. Silver. (12.5 grams) William Barber, Sc,. An attractive proof-like Uncirculated specimen. Obverse: A tree branch with a hornet’s nest at left and a Liberty Cap at right above a pair of clasped hands. The reverse legend: MECKLENBURG DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE surrounds 20/ MAY/ 1775.

The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence is alleged to be the first declaration of independence made in the Thirteen Colonies during the American Revolution. The authenticity of the document (first published in 1819) is in some dispute. We sold a similar example in silver in our Sale #83 (2013) for $920.00) The consignor of this piece is willing to let it go for a more reasonable $850.00

Columbian Exposition Official Award Medal

COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION OFFICIAL AWARD MEDAL, 1893. Eglit 90; Baxter 87; Marqusee 348. 76.3mm. Bronze. Augustus Saint Gaudens (Obv.) & Charles Barber (Rev.), Sc. Uncirculated. Original aluminum display case. Obverse with a full length figure of Columbus stepping ashore on the soil of the New World. Barber’s reverse design features a large central cartouche with a six line commemorative inscription. Above is a globe flanked by two semi-nude females, and at bottom, a view of a sailing ship,. The cartouche is flanked by torches to either side. The medal is named to: NATL. SUPPLY CO.

In a departure from previous world’s fairs, the award medals for the Columbian Exposition were not given on a competitive basis – they were all of a single class, struck in bronze and presented to each and every exhibitor. Although some exhibitors offered to pay for gold or silver copies, the Solicitor general issued an opinion that they could not be struck. This medal was presented to The National Supply Co. which was a Chicago firm that manufactured fuel oil burners

Saint Gaudens’ original design for the reverse was rejected by prudish Treasury Department officials because it displayed a nude male youth. The Mint then asked its own Charles Barber for a suitable replacement. On the obverse, the hooded figure with beard and hooked nose to the right side of Columbus is none other than Augustus Saint Gaudens himself- the only known self portrait of the great master. $425.00

1949 Assay Medal

NELLIE TAYLOE ROSS' 1949 ASSAY MEDAL. JK-AC-94. 51mm. Bronze. Gilroy Roberts (Obv.) & Frank Gasparro (Rev.), Sc. Choice Uncirculated. Edge engraved NELLIE TAYLOE ROSS. Obverse with three female figures representative of the operations of the Assay Commission: weighing, recording, and counting. Legend: UNITED STATES MINT. The reverse depicts the facade of the Treasury Department with the statue of Alexander Hamilton in front. Legend: ANNUAL ASSAY COMMISSION TREASURY DEPARTMENT. Below the building is inscribed: TREASURY BUILDING/ WASHINGTON D.C./ 1949.

Nellie Tayloe Ross (1876 – 1977)) was the 14th Governor of Wyoming from 1925 to 1927 and director of the United States Mint from 1933 to 1953. She was the first woman to be sworn in as governor of a U.S. state, and remains the only woman to have served as governor of Wyoming.

This is an extremely rare medal; only 15 specimens struck according to the author of the OTACS Assay Medal pamphlet. It was missing in the Dreyfuss, Salisbury, Fred & Keusch Collections – the four major Assay Medal collections sold in the last 35 years. We acquired this example most reasonably and can offer it at an attractive $3,750.00

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web