HERITAGE SALE ANTI-SLAVERY MEDALS

Abolition of Slavery in the Colonies Medal

The first medal up for auction is one of my all-time favorite acquisitions. It is a near-gem BHM-1669 which bears the same motto and general theme as Hardtimes token Low-54. BHM-1669 is a larger and much more refined production by expert English engraver and manufacture Thomas Halliday.

The obverse features a shackled female slave on bended knee, before a standing personification of Justice. Above, AM I NOT A WOMAN AND A SISTER. Below, LET US BREAK THEIR HANDS ASUNDER AND CAST AWAY THEIR CORDS. PSALM II:3. On the reverse is a wreath laced with a ribbon that bears the names of prominent British abolitionists.

Examples of this medal appear on occasion. They are virtually always in white metal and with hairlines, rim bruising and at least a few tiny spots of corrosion. So naturally I wanted to beat the odds and find an excellent problem-free unc. I was elated when the presently offered specimen crossed my path. I consider this extremely rare as it is not only finer than any other BHM-1669 that I could trace, but is far rarer to begin with, having been stuck in bronze.

I thought the grade given by NGC to be a bit conservative. It's stunning in hand; the surfaces are lustrous and essentially free of the type of distractions and hairlines that can often be inclusive of an MS64. I was pleasantly surprised to see the cataloger at Heritage had picked up on the same and noted such in the lot description. He/She arrived at that conclusion independently of my own thoughts as I had not communicated this to HA.

Here is the full description given by the cataloger:

To read the complete lot description, see:
Great Britain: temp. William IV bronze "Abolition of Slavery in the Colonies" Medal ND MS64 Brown NGC,... (https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/world-coins/great-britain-temp-william-iv-bronze-abolition-of-slavery-in-the-colonies-medal-nd-ms64-brown-ngc-/a/3073-33065.s)

Abolition of Slavery throughout the British Colonies Medal

The second Anti-Slavery medal is BHM-1672 which commemorates the Abolition of Slavery throughout the British Colonies in 1834. On the obverse a newly emancipated man stands centered with arms extended. Broken shackles and chains dangle from his hands and lay at his feet. Rays of Glory shine down on him and his wife and his child. They are seated at the ground on either side of him. Above, LIBERTY PROCLAIMED TO THE CAPTIVES. Below, IN THE REIGN OF WILLIAM IV 1ST AUGT 1834.

The reverse features an excerpt from Isaiah-58:6

The medal is a very rare variety. The reverse is commonly seen paired with a different obverse. Like the last piece, this is struck in bronze and remains in a rather exquisite state of preservation. It is unlisted in Eimer and I've not seen another in bronze nor in any composition at a comparably high grade.

Here is the full description given by the cataloger:

To read the complete lot description, see:
Great Britain: temp. William IV bronze "Abolition of Slavery in the Colonies" Medal 1834 MS64 Brown NGC,.. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/great-britain/great-britain-temp-william-iv-bronze-abolition-of-slavery-in-the-colonies-medal-1834-ms64-brown-ngc-/a/3073-33064.s)

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