Owner Comments:
Rare. Reddish brown Proof with glossy surfaces. Total mintage of 164 pieces.
Provenance from The Springfield Collection, Lot 4161, Bowers and Ruddy Galleries, Inc. Sale, Part II, December 17, 1981.
Obverse: RUTHERFORD B. HAYES around bust to left. MORGAN on truncation.
Reverse: INAUGURATED MARCH 5. 1877 within a laurel wreath surrounded by legend PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
Size: 76 mm
Engraver: George T. Morgan
Medals from these dies were first struck in mid-May, 1878.
This was the first of the truly presidential medals to be struck and sold to the public by the U.S. mint.