Need help Identifying this medal
tincup
Posts: 5,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
Haven't been able to identify this medal... though have not spend too much time on it yet. But figured someone on the forum could possibly give me some info on it. My first thought is Kansas centennial... but have not found anything to verify that yet. A larger, heftier medal, around 37 mm or so; 24 grams, appears to be copper or bronze and is non magnetic.
It is uniface... just struck on one side... but not sure if that is by design, as the struck side is rather mushy and not very sharp in some some areas... almost like a trial piece. Any info is appreciated.
----- kj
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A Google image search indicates it's a Manitoba Centennial. I fon't know why yours is uniface though.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/exonumia160831.html
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266741830070
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Many thanks! Never once thought it was a Canadian medal! Now I just need to figure out why it is uniface... whether struck that way by intention or whether it is an error of some sort.
Most uniface medals are meant to be engraved but from the link it appears yours was meant to have had both sides struck. I like the design.
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety," --- Benjamin Franklin
Possibly a die trial, though I would expect that to flatten down the upset rim on the reverse.
Possibly intended to be set in some piece of memorabilia where only the obverse would show.
I would agree that it was likely a trial or error strike of some sort. It is very weakly struck and the full design and finish was not imparted onto the planchet. It was struck by the Lombardo Mint.
I'm leaning towards a die trial strike. I would think if some pieces were intentionally struck uniface to insert into other memorabilia, they would have wanted to have a stronger strike to show the details. This piece definitely has soft struck features, and does not seem to be wear. The weight is what the planchet is expected to be.
A closer look at the reverse show many many abrasions and odd artifacts that could suggest an old die that was ground down to eliminate the design, and to use as a 'back die' for a rough initial die trial strike (perhaps the reverse die was not yet available?). There are abrasion lines even in the curved outer areas of the reverse.
Any abrasions or grinding do not seem to be post mint to me, as the patina, and finish, and weight of the item seem to say that is the way the planchet was struck.
Odd item for sure.
Another reason I was wondering if an old ground down die was used... there may be some indications , very very faint, that there may be a ghost of a design remaining, but not of the expected normal reverse for that issue. But cannot make out anything definitive.