Coney Island Jockey Club medals by Tiffany & Co 1880/1883

DCW · June 16, 2023 10:56AM

1880 Coney Island Jockey Club R-NY-BK-14/1883 Coney Island Jockey Club R-NY-BK-17 by Tiffany & Co NGC MS64DPL

I'd like to share a pair of well matched medals I picked up recently from New York equestrian history. These beautiful pieces were struck by none other than Tiffany & Co.
I first saw these in Rulau's monumental book on exonumia, "Standard Catalog of United States Tokens,1700-1900." While not really "tokens" these highly decorative medalettes were used as members' passes as was stated on the reverse and were "Non Transferrable." A number would have been engraved inside the back oval, identifying members in the order in which they presumably joined the club. Issued medals obviously would be holed for suspension and attached to a ribbon:
1880

1883

Coney Island is best known for hot dogs and boardwalk games. There, an amusement park houses an iconic rollercoaster named "the Cyclone" since the 1920s. But years prior, it was home to a famous racetrack in Sheepshead Bay owned by the Coney Island Jockey Club. Formed in 1879 in Prospect Park, NY, its inaugural race at the Sheepshead Bay racetrack kicked off in June of 1880. Bankrolled by some of New York's wealthiest citizens, it satisfied the northeast's adulation for horse racing and gambling, which went together like bacon and eggs.

The Brooklyn Union announced the formation of the club on Aug 8, 1879:
The C.I.J.C. operated until federal regulations cracked down on gambling in 1908, which took the fun out of horseracing for the majority of people. It became a racetrack for automobiles until 1919, but was sold off soon after and redeveloped into building lots.

Astor cup at Sheepshead Bay cica 1915:
:

Nothing remains today of the old racetrack. Just photographs and stories of a bygone era.
I was happy to acquire these special pieces to study for a while. They are beautiful mementos of the past, artistically designed by America's most famous jewelry firm. Definitely too pretty to drill a hole through and wear on your sport's coat.
Thanks for reading!

Relaxn · June 16, 2023 1:08PM

Those are frigging awesome! Great writeup!

gumby1234 · June 16, 2023 1:33PM

Nathan's wasn't around for another 36 years or so.

NumisOxide · June 16, 2023 6:24PM

Very cool!

skier07 · June 16, 2023 6:54PM

Wow! Great writeup.

I used to go to Coney Island as a kid and walk the boardwalk and ride the Cyclone. Fond memories.

coinsarefun · June 16, 2023 7:07PM

Ahh, I’m glad you got it. I was trying for it. I think there were 2 of them(not sure) I wanted to watch live and try but
couldn't. I absolutely love yours!. And, great write up

DCW · June 17, 2023 4:29AM

@coinsarefun

Yes, there were two and they're both posted above. Here's larger photos:

For the first time, I flew in a bid on something I really liked and went to sleep without following along. The Heritage auction ended kind of late for the east coast, and I couldn't stay up any longer. I was surprised I won them both at about 60% of my max bids. I think they went very reasonably for something that doesn't come up very often.
And I had to have them both, because they are so well matched. It'd be like adopting one of the twins and leaving the other at the orphanage. 😆

calgolddiver · June 17, 2023 4:33AM

Dennis ... another great history lesson. Thanks for sharing and congratulations.

coinsarefun · June 17, 2023 4:38AM

Awesome @DCW once I get some spare money I’m going to come and bother you

Plus I have something made by the folks that made the medals. It’s at PCGS now for grading and trueviews.

.

ricko · June 17, 2023 5:35AM

Mementos of 140+ years ago... Thanks for the pictures and the history. My parents took us to Coney Island once when I was very young... around seven or eight years old... Still remember my Dad going on the parachute drop ride.... Cheers, RickO

DCW · June 19, 2023 9:15AM

Here is a lapel pin from the Coney Island Jockey Club marked "245" from 1888:

I tried to win this on eBay a couple weeks back, but it took off and sold for $665.

DCW · June 21, 2023 7:47PM

Looking at the 1880 and 1883 together, you realize they are completely different dies. Beyond obviously the different dates, the lettering is spaced differently, the stars are not the same design, and the jockeys are not the same.

Zoins · June 21, 2023 7:58PM

Great pieces Dennis! What a wonderfully pristine pair! I'm glad you won both of them and kept them together.

How likely are your non-holed white metal specimens to be die trials?

Do you know if the issued medals are made of a different composition?

DCW · June 22, 2023 9:04AM

The composition appears the same as the issued pieces, silvered white metal. As far as die trials, I would think trials would be in softer metals. Maybe they are presentation pieces? Or simply unissued medals that someone took really good care of.
I'd be interested in knowing if anyone else has come across examples in their travels
They seem very rare