Owner Comments:
MEDAL APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Choice Brilliant Gem+: Ultra Cameo
*An absolutely stunning pieces that was made with quality and an eye for aesthetic quality. Deeply mirrored fields and frosty devices make this specimen appear flawless. — Hard to determine what specific imperfection prevented this piece from grading PF-70; however, there are a few extremely small specks on both the obverse/reverse.*
MEDAL BACKGROUND:
Struck circa 1973 in preparation for the commemoration of the bicentennial of the United States and the centennial of Colorado in 1976. — The reverse “76” design was officially used by the Colorado Centennial-Bicentennial Commission during this time period (view “Historical Background” below).
RARITY: Unknown; Likely uncommon
NGC Census not available.
MEDAL DESCRIPTION:
(Sterling Silver, 39mm, Round, Plain/Lettered Edge)
OBVERSE: (Upper Legend): 1776 —> United States / Bicentennial —> 1976 / (Lower Legend): 1876 —> Colorado / Centennial —> 1976 / (Depiction of Miner and Steam Train in Middle)
REVERSE: Colorado / 76 (Design) / Centennial / (Depiction of Several Symbols and the Rocky Mountains)
EDGE: STERLING
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
Letter from the Governor shown below. Excerpt taken from the 1977 book, “Once in a Hundred” The Final Report of The Colorado Centennial-Bicentennial Commission. The book itself also resides in this collection.
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“Dear Fellow Coloradans:
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1976 had a special significance for the people of Colorado. Our state had unique status in 1976 of being the only state to celebrate its Centennial in the same year as the nation's Bicentennial. The Centennial and Bicentennial commemorative celebration here in Colorado was a time of renewal for the people of our state. 1976 was an end. and a beginning: the end of our first hundred years as a state, the end of our second hundred years as a nation, and the beginning of what promised to be a healthy, prosperous and progressive century to come. It was a time of reflection and a time of action. The people of Colorado celebrated 1976 with over 3,000 projects and events, all coordinated by the Colorado Centennial-Bicentennial Commission.
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It was a tribute to the past and a benchmark for the future. The programs, projects and events by which the people of Colorado celebrated this very special year were of a wide scope and the high standards set by the Commission
for these projects resulted in such fine accomplishments as new parks, restorations of historic buildings, museums facilities such as community centers and amphitheaters, community service programs for the aged and handicapped, educational projects, and much more. These projects showed our citizens what can be accomplished when people pull
together for their mutual benefit. They also set an example to future generations of the programs that must be generated, added to and carried out. The celebration is over, but the spirit must live on.
——-
It was a time of joy, and a time of sadness. The tragedy of the Big Thompson Flood marred the Colorado Day celebrations. Yet each Coloradan was made more aware that there will be much to do in the future to make our roads, mountains, plains and cities safe for all, to educate our citizens, to take care of those in need and to preserve and record our actions so that such tragedies might not happen again.
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With this final report of the Colorado Centennial-Bicentennial Commission, the Centennial-Bicentennial celebration is over.
But our work has only begun.
In the Spirit of 76,
A—„ Richard D. Lamm
Governor June 30. 1977”