~ Copper 4 The Weekend™ ~

Broadstruck · October 14, 2022 9:47AM

Was just poking around in an old hard drive and figured it would be neat to repost this since all the thousands of TinyPic image uploads I did on here vanished.

1863 Major General George B. McClellan, 32mm Diameter, Copper, Dewitt GMcC-1864-13 / Schenkman C-24, Struck by die sinker Joseph H. Merriam.

J. Doyle Dewitt in 1959 stated this medal is dated 1863 as that is when the dies were made and that it was distributed during McClellan's 1864 Presidential Campaign which is not the case. Joseph H. Merriam struck a series of "Civil War Union General" medals in 1863 which also included Major General Philip Kearney and Major General Joseph Hooker featuring the similar obverse die design and the exact reverse die. David E. Schenkman considered it "Rare" in his 1980 article on Boston medalist Joseph H. Merriam which featured plated examples of all Merriam's works however he was not able to provide photographs of this McClellan. The provenance on this example traces back to A. Ramsey McCoy whose Political Campaign medal & token collection was already hailed as a major accomplishment in 1866. This includes a handwritten ticket by Hillyer Ryder stating this was "McCoy's first seen in copper" and as Ramsey traveled the country in his pursuit may very well have received this directly from Merriam at the time of issue. McCoy's collection was sold in 1918 by Thomas Elder. This was won by Hillyer Ryder who's collection was later acquired by Fredrick C. C. Boyd collection. Continuing the provenance trail Boyd's collection was acquired intact from his widow by John J. Ford, Jr. A Superb Gem (MS67) which in hand is fully proof-like brilliant red and although NGC conservatively opted to call this RB they could have designated it as RD. Since this is fully proof like the dark areas on the obverse are actually a reflection of my black camera body positioned about 18" above.

ricko · October 14, 2022 10:08AM

Nice copper campaign medal.... Thanks for showing us. Cheers, RickO

coinbuf · October 14, 2022 10:10AM

DCW · October 14, 2022 10:11AM

silverpop · October 14, 2022 1:13PM

1944-S PCGS MS66+RD Wheat penny

johnny9434 · October 14, 2022 3:40PM

@silverpop said:
1944-S PCGS MS66+RD Wheat penny

That's a beautiful strike, I like

EXOJUNKIE · October 14, 2022 4:39PM

Mr_Spud · October 14, 2022 4:47PM

P0CKETCHANGE · October 14, 2022 5:16PM

I’ll share my FE type coin, CAC-approved

WilliamF · October 14, 2022 7:54PM

Some pieces I picked up dirt cheap a couple weeks ago.

winesteven · October 15, 2022 2:58AM

Steve

jfriedm56 · October 15, 2022 3:28AM

A couple of 1909s Lincoln cents. Oh yeah, and 1 with a V.D.B.

JWP · October 15, 2022 4:37AM

Glen2022 · October 15, 2022 6:53AM

Wow!!! That 58 FE is a stunner. I like.

winesteven · October 15, 2022 7:11AM

@Glen2022 said:
Wow!!! That 58 FE is a stunner. I like.

There are two real nice 1858 Flying Eagle’s posted above. As for mine, I bought it as a 66 (I paid handsomely for it, above 66 price guide values), but it had such great eye appeal, including its luster for a MS FE, that I sent it back to PCGS via Reconsideration. Despite their original conclusion that it was “only” a 66 and did not merit a plus, this time they added the plus.

Steve

Glen2022 · October 15, 2022 7:28AM

@winesteven said:

@Glen2022 said:
Wow!!! That 58 FE is a stunner. I like.

There are two real nice 1858 Flying Eagle’s posted above. As for mine, I bought it as a 66 (I paid handsomely for it, above 66 price guide values), but it had such great eye appeal, including its luster for a MS FE, that I sent it back to PCGS via Reconsideration. Despite their original conclusion that it was “only” a 66 and did not merit a plus, this time they added the plus.

Steve

Steve:

Glad you got the +. Did you have to personally talk with PCGS to convince them to add the + or resubmit it more than once? It is beautiful example and surely deserves the + in my humble opinion.

Bill

winesteven · October 15, 2022 7:48AM

Bill - No conversations, only sent in once, BUT……When PCGS graded it the first time, presumably it was raw (possibly a crack out or regrade, but either way the graders see it raw). With my Reconsideration submission, they absolutely saw both the CAC and Rick Snow’s Eagle Eye Photo Seal. We all agree in theory that should make no difference, but possibly a subconscious effect may have occurred. Regardless, having the two stickers at the time they graded it could not have hurt.

The bottom line is the coin has to talk for itself.

Steve