Lusterrules So-Called Dollars

Owner Comments:

On April 17th, 1860, one of the most famous bare-knuckle heavy-weight championship bouts took place at Farnborough in Hampshire, England between American John C. Heenan and World Champion Thomas Sayers of England. The fight lasted for 42 rounds and over two hours before the police, who had arrived to put a stop to the fight, were seen approaching from the edge of the field where the bout was being held. This caused everyone in attendance including Heenan & Sayers to flee the scene and the bout to be declared a draw. Upon Heenan’s return to America, medals were struck to commemorate the event by Smith and Hartmann of New York City. One of the medals featured a bust of Heenan on the obverse, and the other Sayers. Both shared the same reverse and each type was struck in both white metal and copper. This piece is a copper example of the Heenan medal. Its strike, surfaces and color are all excellent. It is 1 of only 10 that have been graded by NGC, and at MS-65 it is tied with 1 other example for the title of finest known. The overall rarity is R7 (11-20 known).