Owner Comments:
Medal, 1854, WM, CRYSTAL PALACE, United States, New York, Improperly Classified by H&K as a So-Called Dollar (Type III), HK-8, T-3, BHM 2549, Eimer-1487NGC MS62, Cert# 2082980-001. Size: 41.5mm. Struck by Pinches of London. A classic robed female opens the gates of Industry and Science. The reverse pictures the main exposition building. This is actually not the New York Crystal Palace. It is an English piece for the opening of the Crystal Palace at Sydenham and is cataloged by Brown As BHM 2549 and Eimer as #1487 It came with a red leather presentation box stamped on the upper inside with an imprint that reads: AUTHORIZED MEDAL/ SOLD BY/ T.R. PINCHES/ & CO./ MEDALISTS/ BY/ APPOINTMENT/ TO THE/ CRYSTAL PALACE/ COMPANY. Another description: Obv. Female figure standing, facing to l., opening gates labeled Industry and Science; in l. hand, palm branch and caduceus; near her r. foot a lamb and near her l. foot, a war helmet; below in border, microscopic Pinches. Rev. Edifice; above, around, Crystal Palace; below, around, Opened MDCCCLIV. Below l. of edifice, microscopic Pinches; below r. of edifice, microscopic London. More Comments from the So-Called Dollar website: Manufactured by Pinches of London, these medals are actually British and should not have been included even in the 1963 edition of this reference. Originally opened as part of The Great Exhibition of 1851, the Crystal Palace was moved after the close of the Exhibition from its original location in Hyde Park; reopened on Sydenham Hill in London by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on June 10, 1854. Original building destroyed by fire on Nov. 30, 1936; site of current Crystal Palace Park. Attractive.