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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
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| Item Description: |
SC$1 1853 NY HK-7A INDUSTRY-ALL NATIONS CRYSTAL PALACE JEFF SHEVLIN COLLECTION |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 60 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
The Industry of all Nations Exposition was the first international Exposition held in America. The Exposition’s organizers had a copy of London’s Crystal Palace built on a smaller scale for the expo at a cost of more than $600,000. The expo opened in New York city on July 14, 1853, and ran intermittently until the Crystal Palace building was destroyed by a fire on October 5, 1858. This medal was struck for the expo. Its dies were engraved by George Hampden Lovett, and it is made of white medal. It is pedigreed to the Jeff Shevlin collection, and I have confirmed with Jeff that it is the plate medal that was used in his book “So-Called Dollars Volume 1: United States Expositions”. It is one of only two examples that NGC has graded MS-60 (2/0) and is a top pop example. The overall rarity for this medal is listed as R8 (5-10 known).
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
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| Item Description: |
SC$1 1854 NY HK-8 CRYSTAL PALACE |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 63 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
This is a top pop example of a Crystal Palace medal. The NGC pop in MS-63 is 5/0. It is made of white metal and is well struck. The fields are much more reflective than they appear in the photos; in fact the whole medal looks much better in hand than the photos. The overall rarity is R6 (21-75 known).
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
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| Item Description: |
SC$1 1854 NY HK-8A CRYSTAL PALACE |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 BN |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
This is a fabulous top pop 2/0 example of a bronze Crystal Palace SCD. It is very well struck, with all design details sharp & crisp. The surfaces, especially the obverse, are clean and are a pleasing dark chocolate hue with very nice glossy luster. The bronze Crystal Palace medals are much rarer than the white metal pieces. According to the NGC census, they have only graded a total of 4 bronze examples compared to 67 of those made of white metal. The overall rarity is R8 (5-10 known).
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
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SC$1 1857 HK-756 DR. ELISHA KENT KANE |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 BN |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Elisha Kent Kane was a United States Navy medical officer, Arctic explorer and author who in 1850 served as the senior medical officer in the first Grinnell expedition to find British explorer Sir John Franklin, who’s own arctic expedition had been missing since 1845. While Elisha Kent Kane was credited with the discovery of an encampment and gravesite from Franklin’s expedition, the First Grinnell expedition failed to find any other trace of Franklin or his men. In 1853 Elisha Kent Kane led the second Grinnell expedition to determine the fate of the lost Franklin expedition. Although the second Grinnell expedition was also unsuccessful in finding out what happened to the Franklin expedition, Kane and his men set a new record for northward exploration, delineated 960 miles of unexplored coastline north of 82° latitude, and discovered the long sort for open Polar Sea. Kane was also able to collect valuable geographical, climate and magnetic observations before being forced to abandon his ship the USS Advance to pack ice in May of 1855. Kane and his men began an 83-day journey overland trying to reach Upernavik, Greenland. After suffering many hardships along the way, they were found by a relief expedition and returned to New York City October 1855. Kane spoke frequently to large audiences about his Arctic expeditions and published two books chronicling them. Two United States Navy ships, a lunar crater and a waterway in the Arctic were named in his honor. This medal is made of bronze and was issued sometime after Dr. Kane’s death on February 14, 1857; however, it is unknown who the issuer was or if it was to commemorate either his death or his expeditions. It is one of only five examples that NGC has certified and at MS-64, it is the finest known. The overall rarity is R7 (11-20 known).
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
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| Item Description: |
SC$1 1859 NY HK-589A NASSAU WATER WORKS |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 63 BN |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
This medal just oozes originality. It looks like it was stored in a paper flip and remained untouched since 1859. It was struck in bronze to commemorate the opening of the Nassau Water Works; the first municipal pumping station built to supply clean water to the city of Brooklyn, New York. The surfaces are semi proof like and problem free with a pleasing dark brown patina. The NGC pop in MS-63 is 3/2. The overall rarity is R6 (21-75 known).
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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SC$1 1860 HK-9 HEENAN-SAYERS BOXING HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 65 BN |
| Research: |
View Coin |
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).
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
SC$1 1860 HK-10A HEENAN-SAYERS BOXING HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 62 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
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 white metal example of the Sayers medal. It is 1 of only 11 that have been graded by NGC and at MS-62 (1/0) it is the top pop non proof like example. Only 1 MS-63 PL example has been graded higher. The overall rarity is R7 (11-20 known).
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
SC$1 1860 HK-10B HEENAN-SAYERS BOXING HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 BN |
| Research: |
View Coin |
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 Sayers medal. Its surfaces exhibit a pleasing original brown copper color, most likely from long term storage in a paper envelope. It has been graded MS-64 and is 1 of only 8 that have been graded by NGC. Only 1 has been graded higher at MS-65. The overall rarity is R7 (11-20 known).
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
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| Item Description: |
SC$1 (c.1860) HK-133C BRANDYWINE/GERMANTOWN MONMOUTH & STONY POINT |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
This medal honors Major General Anthony Wayne of the Continental Army on its obverse and commemorates the Revolutionary War Battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth and Stony Point on its reverse, all of which Wayne commanded. At the Battle of Stony Point Wayne led a daring nighttime bayonet attack against the British which resulted in about 550 British prisoners taken. Wayne received a medal from the Continental Congress for his victory and earned the nickname ‘Mad Anthony’ from his men as a term of endearment for his bravery. This medal is made of brass and is 1 of only 8 that NGC has graded. At MS-64 (3/0) it is a top pop example. The overall rarity is R6 (21-75 known).
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
SC$1 (c.1860) HK-133D BRANDYWINE/GERMANTOWN MONMOUTH & STONY POINT |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 62 PL |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
This Battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth & Stony Point medal is listed as being made of tin and has been graded MS-62PL by NGC. It is 1 of only 8 that they have graded and is the only proof like example. Only 1 has been graded higher at MS-63. The overall rarity is R6 (21-75 known).
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
SO-CALLED DOLLARS - HIBLER & KAPPEN |
| Item Description: |
SC$1 (c.1861) HK-114B UNITY OF GOVERNMENT DOLLAR HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA |
| Grade: |
PCGS MS 65 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
This is an exceptionally rare medal. In fact, so little was known about it that when Hibler & Kappen published the first edition of their ground breaking work ‘So-Called Dollars an Illustrated Standard Catalog’ in 1963, they mistakenly attributed it to being made for the 1876 U.S. Centennial Exposition. Is has since been proven that it was actually made for the Confederate States of America Election of 1861. It is struck on a thick planchet made of bronzed copper and features a military bust of George Washington surrounded by the words “Unity of government is the main pillar of independence” on the obverse and a quote “He is a free man Whom the truth Makes free” from the English poet William Cowper on its reverse. Its surfaces are boldly struck and exhibit a pleasing mahogany brown color. Only 11 of these medals are believed to have been struck. The NGC and PCGS population reports show only one example of this medal graded by each service, the NGC piece at MS-63 and this piece graded SP-65 by PCGS being the finest known. The overall listed rarity is R7 (11-20 known). Provenance: Ex William Spohn Baker Collection, to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania by bequest, November 15, 1897.
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
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SC$1 (c.1861-65) HK-829 AARON WHITE SATIRICAL $ |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 RB |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
During the civil war, hard money (gold & silver coins) became so scarce that the U.S. government needed to print large amounts of paper money to finance the war effort. Aaron White was a lawyer from Connecticut who believed that the printing of paper money without the gold & silver to back it would eventually lead to the bankruptcy of the United States. He had this medal struck as a satirical piece to show his belief that paper money was worthless. This medal is made of copper and has a strong strike, great luster and gorgeous color. The NGC pop in MS-64RB is 4 with only 2 higher, both at MS-65. The overall rarity is R6 (21-75 known).
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| Origin/Country: |
United States United States 1863 |
| Design Description: |
So-Called Dollar |
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Silver SC$1 (c.1863) HK-874 THE LOYAL NATIONAL LEAGUE HK-874 |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 PL |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
The Loyal National League was an organization formed by patriotic northerners to strengthen loyalty to the north and fight back against the propaganda that was being put out at the time by a group sympathetic to the south called the Copperhead movement. This medal was struck for the Loyal National League circa 1861-1863. It is made of Silver, has strong strike, and proof like surfaces. It has been graded MS-64 PL by NGC and is the only proof like example that has been graded as well as being the finest known example of this medal. The overall rarity is R6 (21-75 known).
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
SC$1 (c.1863) HK-875 THE LOYAL NATIONAL LEAGUE |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 63 BN |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
The Loyal National League was an organization formed by patriotic northerners to strengthen loyalty to the north and fight back against the propaganda that was being put out at the time by a group sympathetic to the south called the Copperhead movement. This medal is made of copper and is a warm, medium brown in color. It is sharply struck and has nice luster. It has been graded MS-63BN (1/0) by NGC and is the top pop example. The overall rarity is R6 (21-75 known).
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
SC$1 1869 HK-12 PACIFIC RAILWAY COMPLETE |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 63 BN |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
496 of these medals were struck at the Philadelphia mint as part of their ‘Medal Series of the U.S. Mint’ to commemorate the completion of the Pacific Railway. This is a large (45mm), heavy and impressive medal. It is struck in bronze with a high relief design and its surfaces are a deep mahogany color and have an almost glass like sheen. The overall rarity is R5 (76-200 known), NGC has graded 28 of these medals, 8 of which were graded MS-63.
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