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Gorgeous Silver 1901 U.S. Mint PanAm Expo Medal So-Called Dollar Crossed
Zoins
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I was just researching the 1901 PanAm Expo and ran across this gorgeous So-Called Dollar by George Thomas Brewster. This was struck by the U.S. Mint in Buffalo using dies made in Philadelphia.
- Cert: https://www.pcgs.com/cert/35365372
- Sale: https://coins.ha.com/itm/so-called-dollars/1901-pan-american-exposition-official-medal-hk-287-r6-ms65-ngc-silver-new-york-exhibiting-270-die-alignment-this-im/a/1257-8323.s
This one isn't mine but I have 4 medals of this design, so I must like it!
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Comments
Nice.
Very nice medal.... Cheers, RickO
This is a design which grabbed me when I first started collecting SC$'s. It has two really interesting design nuances: the figure on the obverse and the reverse design orientation.
The obverse figure is described as a "Standing heroic Indian figure" when it seems to me to be a personification of Christ standing on that eagle, but either way it's pretty cool.
The reverse orientation is pretty clear, intended to show the proper north-south alignment of the two continents and the lettering to the left running vertical. Yet the TPG's and auction services insist on rotating it to position the lettering horizontally. Consider the Heritage description below:
--- 1901 Pan-American Expo Medal, HK-289, MS65 NGC. Brass, 34 mm. A standing, heroic Indian is astride a soaring eagle, with minuscule G.T. BREWSTER below. The reverse shows a map of the Western Hemisphere with particulars concerning the exposition. Interestingly, the reverse on this example is just about 90 degrees rotated from normal medal turn. The luster is brilliant, and a small dark toning spot is all that likely precludes an even higher grade. Census: 21 in 65, 17 finer (4/08).
Really?? Actually it was designed like that!!
It's a wonderful design, but the orientation of the reverse can be an issue on these as mentioned by @Maywood. Luckily I've seen more recent photos get it right.
By the way, a good way to identify the correct orientation of the reverse is to look at the PanAm Expo monogram.
This was one of the first SCDs I picked up years and years ago on a whim. They are great.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
They even look terrific circulated.
I picked this one up a three decades ago and sent it to PCI for grading.
peacockcoins
I've kept mine raw, but just have to find them first!
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Very nice Pat!
It's great to see one of these with so much wear! That doesn't even look like it has a HK number on it!
I have owned a high grade brass example for at least a decade, but a high grade silver has eluded me.
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.americanlegacycoins.com