MEDAL SELECTIONS FROM NUMISMAGRAM: AMERICANA

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V21 2018 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 21, Number 26, July, 1, 2018, Article 22

Jeremy Bostwick of Numismagram passed along these three medals which comprise a decidedly American theme for his July upload of new material. In this focused grouping, one will find presidents past and those who would have been, a Hall of Famer and a majestic statue, and colonial Delaware along with some pastoral farming scenes. -Editor

100353 | UNITED STATES. George Washington bronze Medal. Dated 1900. The Erection of the Hall of Fame for Great Americans (69mm, 119.96 g, 12h). By A. Scharff in Vienna. GEORGE WASHINGTON / BORN 1732 DIED 1799, bust facing slightly left / HALL OF FAME FOR GREAT AMERICANS ERECTED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN 1900, façade view of the Hall of Fame for Great Americans; in foreground, in five lines on garlanded cartouche, NEW YORK VNIVERSITY CHARTERED MDCCCXXXI / VNIVERSITY HEIGHTS PVRCHASED MDCCCXCI / VNIVERSITY COLLEGE REMOVED MDCCCXCIV / THIS HALL OF FAME WAS COMPLETED MCM / IN HONOR OF GREAT AMERICANS. Edge: Plain. Baker E356b. Choice Mint State. Warm brown surfaces, with an alluring matte finish; a few inconsequential spots on the obverse. An impressive portrait.

Designed by the exceptionally talented Austrian medalist, Anton Scharff, this attractive piece of Washingtonia can be regarded as the initial offering in the Hall of Fame of Great Americans series, which came much later.

Nice medal. You don't often see a profile of Washington like this. -Editor

100351 | UNITED STATES. Abraham Lincoln bronze Medal. Dated 1865. The Emancipation Proclamation (60mm, 107.72 g, 12h). By H. Bovy in Paris. ABRAHAM LINCOLN PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES / BORN FEB 12TH 1809 DIED ASSASSINATED APRIL 15TH 1865, bust right / WITH MALICE TOWARDS NONE WITH CHARITY FOR ALL / 4TH MARCH 1865 / EMANCIPATION OF SLAVERY PLACLAMD SEPTEMBER 22 1862 in four lines. Edge: Plain. King 229. Choice Mint State. Extremely glossy chocolate brown surfaces, with an alluring underlying luster; a few scattered marks and rub on the highest points. A highly attractive and seldom-seen Lincoln medal of foreign commission and manufacture.

Designed by the celebrated Swiss medalist Hugues Bovy, this impressive piece was issued sometime in the period following Lincoln's assassination and the late 1860's, honoring his Emancipation Proclamation. Two versions of the medal exist, with the present example being the scarcer of the two. The other (King 230) features a more grammatically correct reading of 'abolition of slavery proclaimed' on the reverse.

100359 | UNITED STATES. George Herman 'Babe' Ruth gilt silver Medal. Dated 1974. Commemorating the Former Home Run King (63mm, 143.88 g, 12h). By J. DiLorenzo and the Medallic Art Co. Facing bust, wearing Yankees cap; facsimile signature below / TRIBUTE TO THE "BABE" 714 LIFETIME HOMERUNS, follow through of the Babe swinging for the fences; Babe Ruth International logo to right. Edge: 122 MACO 24 KT. G/P ON .999 SILVER. Choice Mint State. Pleasing matte surfaces, with some hairlines on the reverse. Includes original box, with stand and pamphlet. Serially numbered 122 of a limited mintage of 714 pieces.

Baseball's first homerun king, George Herman 'Babe' Ruth was an attraction on the diamond like no other, swinging for the fences in an era when few could even dream of rivaling his power. Earning the nickname 'the Sultan of Swat,' he recorded 714 homers over his storied career, a number which has long since been synonymous with him. In April 1974, however, this fabled number was eclipsed by an equally prolific slugger from the opposite side of the plate, Henry 'Hank' Aaron. In honor of the Babe's lengthy tenure as the homerun king, the Medallic Art Co. struck 714 of these medals in gilt silver–one for each of his dingers.