Owner Comments:
Medal, (1882), AR, SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI MEDAL, United States, RARE in Silver, NGC MS63, Cert# 3702967-001. Award & Membership Medal. Size: 32 Mm. By Henry Mitchell.Catalog: Julian RF-4. Description: Obv: a spread-wing eagle with the badge of the Society on its breast, olive branches in both claws and a partial wreath around its head is flanked by the dates 1783 and 1883. Rev: an open wreath with the inscription SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI above and INST.. A.D. / 1783. below. A handsome, historical and richly original example, both sides are draped in bold charcoal gray patina that lightens to lilac-gray in the center of the reverse. The devices are fully impressed with razor sharp definition. Silver examples of this type, as here, were struck in 1882 for the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati. Julian also reports a single gold example, struck in December 1887. A gold example from George Washington, sold for 5.3 Million dollars at auction. This example, Ex Stacks Bowers ANA Chicago Auction, Lot #1122, August, 2013. Historical: The Society of the Cincinnati is the nation's oldest patriotic organization, founded in 1783 by officers of the Continental Army and their French counterparts who served together in the American Revolution. Its mission is to promote knowledge and appreciation of the achievement of American independence and to foster fellowship among its members. Now a nonprofit educational organization devoted to the principles and ideals of its founders, the modern Society maintains its headquarters, library, and museum at Anderson House in Washington, D.C. Members of the Society are qualified male descendants of officers of the Continental Army and Navy and their French counterparts during the Revolutionary War. No others can ever be admitted as members.