Can someone tell me who Joseph A. Johr was and he had a 1911The First American Coin Collector Medal

coinsarefun

1911 The First American Coin Collector Medal.38 mm. . Obv: Imaginary coin of Charles II of Spain above an image of a Spanish explorer trading with Native Americans. Inscriptions THE FIRST AMERICAN COIN COLLECTOR around, SEVENTEENTH CENTURY in exergue. In tiny letters at bottom THE NATIONAL MEDAL CO. N. Y. Rev: An American shield followed by the inscription YET STILL THERE IS A KEEN PURSUIT / OF HIGHER THOUGHT AND RICHER FRUIT / THE STORY OF THE COINS THAT SHOW / HOW NATIONS MULTIPLY AND GROW. / A. C. HEATON. A perched eagle at the right of a plaque labeled THE PRIVATE TOKEN OF (blank). Signed F.C.H. and dated 1911 below. COPYRIGHTED in tiny letters at bottom.
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A. C. Heaton rings a bell......all very interesting to me
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.I found his obit.

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CaptHenway

The FCH is probably Frank C. Higgins, President of the New York Numismatic Club around this time and a promoter of numismatics.

CaptHenway

I have referred your query to David Thomas ALexander, himself a former President of the NYNC.

Zoins

That's neat medal, but I'm a bit confused by the title. Is the "First American Coin Collector" on the medal supposed to be the Spaniard?

I didn't think the Native Americans collected or used coins. My understanding is that the Europeans mined gold and silver to take back to Europe. The story about Potosi mining is actually fairly tragic.

291fifth

Another medal I have never seen before. Are any others known with names other than Joseph A. Johr? What was the year the obituary was printed?

coinsarefun

@291fifth said:
Another medal I have never seen before. Are any others known with names other than Joseph A. Johr? What was the year the obituary was printed?

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I’ve only been able to find a few. When I search the names I came up with nothing.. his obit came from the 1920 numismatic news.

coinsarefun

There was a silver one that sold at Stacks a little while back but no recipient.
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https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-NM4SN/1911-the-first-american-coin-collector-medal-silver-mint-state
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WillieBoyd2

The medal could be a humorous medal showing a Spaniard giving two coins to an Indian and thus the Indian becoming the "First American Coin Collector".

By the way, that is a really nice medallion!

Zoins

@WillieBoyd2 said:
The medal could be a humorous medal showing a Spaniard giving two coins to an Indian and thus the Indian becoming the "First American Coin Collector".

Could be. I never heard of a story of Spaniards giving coins to Native Americans so I'm interested to look it up now. The coin with the cross on it reminds me of the silver and gold coins that went from the New World back to the Old.

WillieBoyd2

F. C. H. is Frank Carlos Higgins.

President New York Numismatic Club.
Signed designs F.C.H. initials.

http://www.medalartists.com/higgins-frank-carlos.html

My guess is that he designed and produced these medals as gifts to his coin collector friends.

And here's a medal with Frank's image designed by Victor D. Brenner:

https://auctions.cngcoins.com/auctions/4-2FS4RH/electronic-auction-492?categories=4-AYKBF&limit=48

ricko

Nice medal, I really like the obverse. Interesting that it was also made in silver. Perhaps there was some gold as well?? Cheers, RickO

CaptHenway

Received the following response from Dave Alexander:

I have one inscribed GEORGE TILTON, illustrated in NY Club history as work of President Frank C. Higgins. I know of the HEATON example, and suspect Cranston as mfgr. Remember Cranston's ad, "ANA Coins a Specialty?"

coinsarefun

@CaptHenway said:
Received the following response from Dave Alexander:

I have one inscribed GEORGE TILTON, illustrated in NY Club history as work of President Frank C. Higgins. I know of the HEATON example, and suspect Cranston as mfgr. Remember Cranston's ad, "ANA Coins a Specialty?"

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Very cool. Appreciate you asking around for me. Now I need to dig and see if I can find pics and any other examples and find out Cranston manufacturing ……thx

MWallace

I don't know if this helps, or if it is the same person, but it seems to be,

https://findagrave.com/memorial/102853810/joseph-a-johr

https://myheritage.com/names/joseph_johr

MWallace

Stephanie, you come up with the damnest things, and I mean that as a compliment.

coinsarefun

It appears that A.G. Heaton received his own silver medal. Now that would be the top of the ladder as far as these medals go. But, I must add the bronze look much nicer than the silver ones do. Even though rarer the surfaces are not as nice as the bronze……IMO.
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JBK

@WillieBoyd2 said:
The medal could be a humorous medal showing a Spaniard giving two coins to an Indian and thus the Indian becoming the "First American Coin Collector".

By the way, that is a really nice medallion!

My guess, too. Payment in coins to Native Americans made them the first American coin collectors.

The stamped name could have been an awardee or someone who bought it for themselves.

coinsarefun

@CaptHenway said:
Received the following response from Dave Alexander:

I have one inscribed GEORGE TILTON, illustrated in NY Club history as work of President Frank C. Higgins. I know of the HEATON example, and suspect Cranston as mfgr. Remember Cranston's ad, "ANA Coins a Specialty?"

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Sorry, just saw this tonight while rereading this thread. Thanks for the update .