Panorama 1901
Hermon MacNeil Award Medal - Bronze [Unlisted variety in Lavin under TM103]

Owner Comments:

The Award Medals from the Pan Am are prized pieces. These were awarded to varrious companies and persons that displayed their wares or talents at the expo. The first place or "gold" medals are almost exclusively gilt bronze. There may have been about 10 that were actually struck in gold. The second place or "silver" medals are mostly silver-plated bronze. There were a quantity actually struck in silver, and today the pieces actually made of silver are quite rare with an estimated population of less than 20 surviving. The third place or "bronze" pieces comprise the bulk of the strikes. The medals measure 64mm and were designed by Hermon McNeil. All these medals are rare, but bronze medals seem to be the most available of all the types of these award medals from the Pan Am. Bronze pieces seem to show up for sale about twice a year for a price (usually in the $500-$850+ range for decent pieces).

This is a marvelous totally original near gem example. The color is superb and not the dark chocolate patina usually found on the bronze strikings. I was hoping for an "RB" designation, but that must be faded mint red lingering in the devices and did not qualify.

In addition to those appearing on the population reports, I know of at least two other graded bronze pieces. An NGC MS65 BN (# 2540209-001) sold at Heritage (Auction 1143, Lot 11708, August 15, 2010) for what really seems like a bargain price of $690. I wish I was collecting Pan Am medals at that time!! The other piece is an NGC MS62 BN mis-attributed to the 1915 PPIE and was sold on ebay for close to $1,200.