Civil War Fort Sumter Medals!
Zoins
Posts: 34,186 ✭✭✭✭✭
Here's a beautiful Civil War Fort Sumpter medal engraved by George Hampden Lovett and published by Augustus B. Sage. It's upcoming and I would love to get it but it would be a stretch right now as I need to recoup budget after some recent purchases.
It was struck after the surrender of the fort celebrate the return of Major Robert Anderson to New York City after the bombardment and loss of Fort Sumter which marked the beginning of the Civil War. While he considered himself a failure, he was seen as a hero:
https://www.historynet.com/robert-anderson
Robert Anderson commanded Fort Sumter during the bombardment of that fort by Confederate forces, the opening shots of the American Civil War. Forced to surrender due to lack of supplies, Anderson considered himself a failure but found he was hero upon his return to the North.
A gold version was struck Major Anderson from donations, each person receiving a bronze medal. Anyone know the whereabouts of the gold medal now? I like the text.
To Major Robert Anderson, U.S.A, from the citizens of New York City, as a slight tribute, to his patriotism.
Here's a description of the medal from Stack's indicating two at the ANS.
As with the Lovett-Sage Field medal, a single gold example of the Major Anderson-Fort Sumter medal was to be presented to its honoree. Major Anderson's medal was to be paid for by subscriptions from private citizens, which were limited to 200 at $5/subscription, each contributor to receive a bronze example of the medal. Eighty-two subscriptions were immediately forthcoming, pointing to a mintage of at least that many examples in bronze. Other specimens were struck in silver, brass and white metal, all of which are rare. Only two are known in silver: the ANS specimen and a gorgeous example ex Bushnell:1660 and Zabriskie (1999):659, purchased at that sale on a $20,000 bid. A silver electrotype appeared in our (Stack's) Ford VII Sale of January 2005, lot 524. The unique brass specimen is also in the collection of the ANS, as is a white metal impression. Bowers (1998) describes white metal examples as "very rare" and further states, "Some or possibly all may have been issued with a lightly silvered surface which over a period of time formed an amalgam with the white metal underneath, creating an irregular, matte-like surface." This is the only specimen in this fabric that we can recall handling in recent years.
- https://www.pcgs.com/cert/37300273
- https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-N4FV0/1861-major-robert-anderson-defense-of-fort-sumter-medal-white-metal-70-mm-by-george-hampden-lovett-published-by-augustus-b-sage-sp
Edit: thanks to @tokenpro for adding the HK-11C So-Called Dollar below 
Comments
@JesseKraft Would it be possible to post photos of the ANS specimens?
that is a great medal.
This bronze specimen sold back in 2007.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/miscellaneous-medals-and-tokens/1861-maj-robert-anderson-fort-sumter-medal/a/427-82179.s
Here's one from @jonathanb:
Beautiful medal.... What a great piece of history. Cheers, RickO
@Zoins, Unfortunately, I can only post what we currently have imaged, which don't include those medals, until New York is in Phase Two of re-opening and I can get back to my office. When that happens, however, I'll add these to the list of objects to give attention to.
Also, very very cool medal! Good luck trying to nab it at auction! Hopefully you can post it as your own when I can post the ANS examples.
Jesse C. Kraft, Ph.D.
Resolute Americana Curator of American Numismatics
American Numismatic Society
New York City
Member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), British Numismatic Society (BNS), New York Numismatic Club (NYNC), Early American Copper (EAC), the Colonial Coin Collectors Club (C4), U.S. Mexican Numismatic Association (USMNA), Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC), Token and Medal Society (TAMS), and life member of the Atlantic County Numismatic Society (ACNS).
Become a member of the American Numismatic Society!
I'm a fan of provenance / pedigrees so one thing I appreciate about the ANS is that they list the people who donated pieces to their collection, so I thought to see if there was information on who donated the ANS specimens. When I found the page for the silver specimen I was pleasantly surprised to see the text:
As it turns out, August B. Sage was a founding member of the ANS and the first meeting was held in his house!
He was also in the Union Army as a Captain in the New York Infantry Volunteers' 170th Regiment.
Anyone know his middle name?
In 1867, he wrote a series of reminiscences on the formation of the ANS for the American Journal of Numismatics and donated a few dies and catalogs.
Here are some photos.
Looking forward to it!
I found the silver specimen ANS page here, but not the brass or white metal pages yet.
http://numismatics.org/collection/1956.163.1151
It also looks like he wrote a series of reminiscences on the formation of the ANS for the American Journal of Numismatics and donated a few dies and catalogs in 1867. It would be great to read and see photos of those as well!
Gorgeous!
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
It still astonishes me that he was only 16 when he helped found the ANS! (Unfortunately, his life was already half-way over, as he died at 32 years of age from pneumonia). In addition to being instrumental in the founding of the Society, he also donated the very first group of coins. Here's what is considered the first:
1825 Half Cent
American Numismatic Society, 1858.1.1
Jesse C. Kraft, Ph.D.
Resolute Americana Curator of American Numismatics
American Numismatic Society
New York City
Member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), British Numismatic Society (BNS), New York Numismatic Club (NYNC), Early American Copper (EAC), the Colonial Coin Collectors Club (C4), U.S. Mexican Numismatic Association (USMNA), Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC), Token and Medal Society (TAMS), and life member of the Atlantic County Numismatic Society (ACNS).
Become a member of the American Numismatic Society!
I guess it may be more appropriate to say the first ANS meeting was in his parents' house then! If he had his own house at 16, that would be even more impressive!
It's very impressive that the ANS still has records of its very first coin donation!
It's very sad that he died at such an early age. He was a prodigy by creating the August B. Sage series of medals with his name on then and, at just 19, creating / presenting this medal in gold to Major Robert Anderson. Definitely an overachiever in the area of numismatics.
I would recommend the ANS create an August B. Sage YN award if there isn't already one!
There is only 1 silver specimen outside the ANS which is owned by Alan V. Weinberg and has an impressive provenance.
Silver: Bushnell, Zabriskie, Bowers, Weinberg Specimen
The following is from the NNP:
Alan V. Weinberg Collection (Civil War and Lincoln Medals)
People interested in Augustus B. Sage should consult Dave Bowers' book:
"American Numismatics Before the Civil War: 1760 – 1860: Emphasizing the Story of Augustus B. Sage"
Sage's auction catalogs, fixed price lists, medals, and tokens are all sought-after by collectors.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
Good suggestion!
Does it mention his middle name?
I quickly thumbed through my copy of the book, but could not find his middle name. Perhaps that can be ferreted out by contacting the ANS (or just ask Jesse Kraft).
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
Good idea
@JesseKraft Any record of August B. Sage's middle name in the ANS archives?
@Zoins and @Sonorandesertrat: Augustus Benjamin Sage.
I have to tell you @Zoins, I think that a YN Award named for Sage is a GREAT idea, and I'm not just saying that either. I'm seriously thinking of writing up a proposal for it!
Jesse C. Kraft, Ph.D.
Resolute Americana Curator of American Numismatics
American Numismatic Society
New York City
Member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), British Numismatic Society (BNS), New York Numismatic Club (NYNC), Early American Copper (EAC), the Colonial Coin Collectors Club (C4), U.S. Mexican Numismatic Association (USMNA), Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC), Token and Medal Society (TAMS), and life member of the Atlantic County Numismatic Society (ACNS).
Become a member of the American Numismatic Society!
As a kid I could look out over the marsh at the end of my street and see Ft. Sumter.
Souvenir from 2011 "Bombardment of Fort Sumter Sesquicentennial:
Natural forces of supply and demand are the best regulators on earth.
HK-11C
Very cool stuff. My sister lives in Charleston and we go look at fort Sumter every time I visit.
BHNC #248 … 130 and counting.
That's awesome! It's great to be so close to such a landmark as a kid.
As a kid, I would look out over the water at the Statue of Liberty from a window in our home. It was quite a sight at night. It's actually pretty incredible to think that was my view as a kid. I've never really had a view like that again.
Wow, that's a great historical medal!
When I worked as Park Superintendent of Fort Sumter we had a few of these in the museum collection. If I recall, at least 85+ of the bronze were made because each man under his command at the time of the bombardment received one. I recall a Proof set ? of these also came up for auction about 3 years ago. The Park Friends group was considering bidding on it but when it hit over $2000 - they backed off .
WS
Great info. It was a nice gesture to give one to each man who defended the fort.
Do you recall what the proof set went for? At $2000, it sounds like it would have been a steal. Perhaps the owner would consider donating it?
Do you think the Park Friends group and Park would be a good custodian for such a set?
I failed to watch the bidding because I was retired and was on the Board, but not any longer. They really did not have the resources at the time, and I thought about getting it and donating it, but likewise, I was not in a position for the purchase either. They had bought historic artifacts before and turned them over to the park.I wish I could remember the auction venue so it cold be searched but even that was too long ago.
WS
As requested: HK-11C. ATS - T-Top Pop, 3/0. PCGS - none graded.
Love the HK-11C @tokenpro! Very clean surfaces on that one!
Do you agree with H&K on the attribution to George Hampden Lovett?
Do you have, or have you seen, any of the political medals that share the reverse?
@WDP I just noticed that we have you to thank for the HK-11 photos in H&K.
Did you receive any in the Ostheimer collection? Would love to hear about your observation on these Fort Sumter pieces.
This medal sold for an astounding $19,800 all in!
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
I have seen a number of raw pieces over the years but I do not know which ones are now in slabs and which are still raw. I use the same ATS pops as everyone else and think that they represent the populations in very general terms. I do have some self-held observations on the HK-11 series but I am don't consider myself an expert on SCDs -- I've just handled a hell of a lot of stock in the series over the years from pigs to prime rib so I have a close familiarity with the medals.
Given how rare some of these pieces, I think it would be interesting to track the specimens for these.
Pretty amazing!
Someone got a very historic medal!
I really did not see this medal going this high. Admittedly, I've never seen one for sale before so I based my pre auction estimate on a hunch that it would go between $4-6 grand.
$20k plus tax seems like crazy money.
The Zabriskie specimen in silver brought $20k in 1999, but that is considered unique
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
It's good to see Civil War medals going this high. This has a lot going for it:
@Zoins
I agree with you. Also shows the potential in this area of the hobby.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
So did anyone in the forum family buy this?
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
I have never had a chance to buy any of these pieces over almost 50 years of attending major shows and buying from leading exonumia dealers. I guess the prices realized explain why.
I'd like to think financial recovery for the owner will happen fast. Even if bidding prices to the moon, hopefully they aren't budget busting.
To me, the main issue is the price if it ever sells again.
Tax, shipping...this is a $21,000 piece.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
I think way too much also. But we will have to wait till the next one comes to auction to find out.
WS
Fort Sumter? Never heard of it. I’ll have to read up on it!
Carried away?
And the winner?
Congrats! It's a beautiful and historic piece!
@Realone
Well this is a turn of events! I gathered from your first comment that you thought the buyer was crazy to be buried in this medal. Now, you reveal that you bought it. Interesting tactic.
But congrats for stepping up. It is lovely and historic. Glad it went to someone on the forums!
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
@AZoins
I don't agree or disagree with H&K on the Ft. Sumter die sinker but I do agree with Dave Baldwin. & his website on the Lovetts. He includes HK-11 as a GHL product and since he is my go to guy on the Lovetts, I agree as the die work does seem consistent with his other work.
I have seen a McClellan//Ft, Sumter political in the inventory of one of my friends in the APIC some time back - I do not recall what metal it was struck in but it was not silver. Was there one in the Frent auctions?