I'm pretty sure I have a die trial strike from Gorham Mint, can you guys confirm it?

coinsarefun

At least that's what I think it is. It took me a little over a year to find the original Medal and now I can compare all sides.
If not can you tell me what I have please.
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Its quite hefty sterling silver and the relief if is fairly high
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It might not be the most impressive or expensive example but I like it and it didn't cost much other than looking for it.
Besides the reverse reminds me of a pirate......lol
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I posted this last year and it sounded like it was but now that I found the original medal it really can be compared.
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Quite a few pictures including the edge.
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davewesen

maybe broadstruck?

MedalCollector

It could be, but might simply be more accurately described as unfinished. Striking and preparing these medals is a multi-step process. After being struck, possibly more than once, these medals had to have been trimmed (to remove the flange), the surfaces processed in order to create the desired surface finish, and the edge stsmped. This medal may not have gotten those last few steps.....for what reason we do not know.

BillDugan1959

Pure speculation follows....

Perhaps the two sides were made separately, in a kind of shell(s), then pieced together.

If the older piece was made this way, perhaps it was filled with some base metal.

A skilled jewelry bench man might have even been able to produce such a shelled thing without a press.

The thinness of a silver shell might account for the damage/ deterioration.

Almost pure speculation on my part. I've been wrong before.

coinsarefun

Thanks guys so far for all your opinions. Let see if @Broadstruck still feels the same as what he said last year?
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.@broadstruck said......
Okay even if it is a off metal trial strike which is neat it has no value as there is very limited demand in these type of sets. In 1976 every private mint was cashing in on Grandma's buying these sets for their grand kids thinking they'd be worth something one day. That being said you should only purchase this if affordable for personal enjoyment of the designs.

Broadstruck

@coinsarefun said:
Thanks guys so far for all your opinions. Let see if @Broadstruck still feels the same as what he said last year?
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.@broadstruck said......
Okay even if it is a off metal trial strike which is neat it has no value as there is very limited demand in these type of sets. In 1976 every private mint was cashing in on Grandma's buying these sets for their grand kids thinking they'd be worth something one day. That being said you should only purchase this if affordable for personal enjoyment of the designs.

For the right dollar amount Walter Breen would write you a letter stating anything you wanted something to be... That being said you have my PayPal account info

Seriously I'll glance at this in the morning

Zoins

When was this struck?

Will PCGS slab this with a TrueView? If so, could help get some interest.

coinsarefun

@Zoins said:
When was this struck?

Will PCGS slab this with a TrueView? If so, could help get some interest.

For the Bicentennial they made an entire set. I am hoping PCGS will slab it with trueview.
Not really to sell as I just don’t sell as much as I used to, rather would love to just have it.

blu62vette

Wow these strikes look different and the trial strikes look way better. How did the font get to look so different? And the 1826 date, the 2 and 8 almost touch in one, not in the other. Very curious what they did strike wise on the actual medal.

JBK

@GoldenEgg said:
It could be, but might simply be more accurately described as unfinished. Striking and preparing these medals is a multi-step process. After being struck, possibly more than once, these medals had to have been trimmed (to remove the flange), the surfaces processed in order to create the desired surface finish, and the edge stsmped. This medal may not have gotten those last few steps.....for what reason we do not know.

I agree with this theory.

Your medal may have been deemed a reject, or could have been pulled prior to finishing for some reason, or was part of a display or set showing the minting process, etc.

The minting of many medals is very different than coins. With coins we are used to seeing the final product come off the press, but for many medals the finishing process only starts there.

For those cases, the extra metal around the edge is cut or ground away to form the final edge. One minter calls it "splash minting" which is essentially to broad strike the medal without a collar and then trim it down to size.

Your medal has a raised rim which would have been part of the die design. The medal does not look fully struck up (middle of reverse for example).

ricko

I am certainly far from expert on medals (and most other things)...so I will watch this thread and learn...actually already learned a bit... Cheers, RickO

Broadstruck

I had to go back to see your original your original thread from last year.

Since this was in the set we can assume it was struck at Gorham, not at a later time with disposed of dies.

I do think it's a sloppy press set up strike (Die Trial / Adjustment Strike) double struck as the production medals on a very rough scrap planchet without a collar which caused the misalignment.

dcarr

@GoldenEgg said:
It could be, but might simply be more accurately described as unfinished. Striking and preparing these medals is a multi-step process. After being struck, possibly more than once, these medals had to have been trimmed (to remove the flange), the surfaces processed in order to create the desired surface finish, and the edge stsmped. This medal may not have gotten those last few steps.....for what reason we do not know.

I believe this is correct. The reason that is was not finished is because perhaps it was damaged and/or otherwise unfit for finishing.

coinsarefun

Thank you everyone for your input. Now I definitively know that
this is not a test strike but, it’s been a fun ride and pretty cheap education too.