Owner Comments:
SO-CALLED DOLLAR APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
TOP POP: Choice Brilliant Gem
*Made of blue oxidized bronze; All of the original bluing and oxidized shine still present; Deeply lustrous surfaces appear to set this specimen apart from the 2 MS-67 examples. An utterly stunning example at the top of the population report as the sole MS-68. — Design matches its pewter and brass restrike counterparts. — The 3 finest known examples reside in this collection (2 MS-67’s and 1 MS-68).*
SO-CALLED DOLLAR BACKGROUND:
1960 CO 'Boy Scouts of America: 50th Anniversary National Jamboree' SC$1 commemorating the celebration event held in Colorado Springs, CO. An exceptionally scarce specimen in MS-67.
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“This was Official Jamboree Medal; designed by National Council; 65,000 pieces struck in oxidized Bronze by Robbins Co.; sold at Jamboree Trading Posts "to boys who wished to bring them home as souvenirs." Supply Service Division of National Council advised that all medals were delivered to Boy Scouts of America and entire quantity sold at Jamboree. Shortly after Jamboree closed, however, specimens became available elsewhere but at substantially increased prices.”
DESIGNER: Official Jamboree Medal; National Council
CATALOG NUMBER: HK-577
RARITY: 65,000 (Mintage Number)
This piece in particular is the “only” MS-68 example known to exist. — Only 2 examples have been graded MS-67 and 1 at MS-68 shown here. All 3 examples reside in this collection. Therefore, I feel incredibly fortunate to have the 3 finest specimens currently known in this set.
(*TOP POP* NGC Pop = 1; NONE Finer - NGC Total Pop = 82): [08/2022]
Rarity Level 2 = ~2001-5000 Known
**NOTE: Until March of 2022, both MS-67 examples in this collection were at the top of the population report. This medal is now the only MS-68 example to be graded and certified by NGC..
SO-CALLED DOLLAR DESCRIPTION:
(Struck by Robbins Co., Oxidized Bronze, 37mm, Round, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: National Jamboree / For God and Country / 1910 1960 / Boy Scouts of America / 50 / Fifty Years of Service / Colorado Springs
REVERSE: (Divided into three equal segments; in upper is view of Air Force Academy buildings and grounds; in lower left is Pike's Peak; in lower right is Will Rogers Memorial Tower)
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
"The 1960 National Jamboree was held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, from July 22 to 28 with the theme 'For God and Country' to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Boy Scouts of America. 56,377 Scouts and Explorers participated in the jamboree. To open the jamboree, 200 Native Americans set up a huge tepee village on stage as James Arness (Marshall Matt Dillon of television’s “Gunsmoke” series) narrated a western story. Scouts shared daily chores, cooked their own meals as was now the tradition, took part in displays, campfire gatherings, demonstrations, skill contests, a rodeo, and made inter-camp visits during the event." — Credited Source: Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America
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ADDITIONAL HISTORY:
“Purpose: To celebrate 50th anniversary of Boy Scouts of America.
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Organization: This was fifth and largest national encampment or Jamboree. "Two years of...work by hundreds of men" required to convert open range to Jamboree City, principally a tent city but with huge arena, roads, water mains, electric lines, own post office, bank, newspaper (90,000 copies daily) and stores, called Trading Posts. Jamboree was self-sustaining; financed by private contributions and $50 fee paid by each boy in camp. Of latter amount, $13 per capita was refunded.
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Site, Dates, Attendance: Camp site of 4 sq. mi. created on 2,500 acre Reverse J Diamond Ranch owned by late R. E. Johnson near Colorado Springs. Jamboree held July 22 to 28, 1960; over 200,000 visitors. Elsewhere, many "special procedures" took place in observance of anniversary, highlight being National Boy Scout Week, Feb. 7 to 13.
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Participants: Encamped were 56,377 Scouts from all 50 states, including 650 from 26 foreign countries.
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Comment: Scouts founded 1907 in England by Lord Robert Baden-Powell; incorporated in U.S. Feb. 8, 1910, in District of Columbia. Stated purpose is "...to promote...ability of boys to do things for themselves and others...to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance..." Over 30,000,000 Americans have been Scouts, with 2005 membership of nearly 3,000,000.
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Fiftieth Anniversary Jubilee Jamboree opened with pageant, "Spirit of America" with 6,000 Scouts participating before audience of 75,000. During week there were field sports, conservation educational programs, and daily demonstrations of Scouting skills. President Eisenhower and Lord Baden-Powell, son of founder, were distinguished guests. Called "largest camp for boys ever held in U.S." — Credited Source: Hibler and Kappen