OLD U.S. Mint medals

BillJones

In post under the "Are coins more art or history" thread, I mentioned that there were OLD U.S. Mint medals that often had mintages of 100 pieces or less. Anaconda asked me to post pictures of some of them.

Here is a picture of a mint medal that is a late 19th century copy of one that was awarded to General Anthony Wayne. Wayne received a gold medal that looked like this for his service at the Battle of Stoney Point during the American Revolutionary War. This medal was produced circa 1889 from a new set of dies. Medals from the original dies are very, very rare and are seldom if ever available to collectors. The total mintage for this piece was 47 medals.

Modern copies can still be purchased today, but they look quite different. Instead of the Proof-like surface that is on this piece modern medals have a dull "yellow bronze" finish. The modern copies are worth considerably less than the 19th and 18th century pieces.

I have other pieces including a (George) Washington before Boston piece that was made from the original die pair prior to 1800. The books say that less than 20 of those are known, but I think the real number is more like 50 to 60. That one is in the bank, and I don't have a photo available of the obverse, but if there is interest I could dig it out someday and post a picture.

DHeath

Bill, I couldn't get the pics up. Is it just me?

shirohniichan

I don't see the photo, either.

Modern copies can still be purchased today, but they look quite different.

Are these still available from the Mint?

BillJones

Once more the system is being difficult. I sometimes get the "no longer exists message" and then I get the pictures. I don't know how to advise you.

Yes, these pieces are still available, but in a form that is not nearly as attractive or collectable. Most medal collectors hate the "yellow bronze" medals the mint now sells.

This medal if you get to see it has the "mohagany" finish.

Try clicking on the picture a couple of times. I'm on a fast direct line connection and that works for me.

DHeath

Thanks Bill. I got them to load. Man, what detail. I'm still at work, but when I get home and have a little time, I'll get those pics into my imaging software and really get a good look. There is a tremendous amount of detail on the reverse.

shirohniichan

Pardon me for asking, but where can I get the ugly medals the Mint currently sells? When I checked on their site before, all I saw were the modern medals (not reproductions of classic medals).

TomB

The depth of field and intracacy are stunning. To me, these medals provide one with the true art of the science of both medals and coins in contrast to the modern, lackluster productions that the Mint puts out today that feature the true technology. Thanks for sharing this one, when you get the chance could you possibly image the Washington?

cardinal

I agree that some of the early medals were true works of art.

This is one of my favorites, the Libertas Americana Medal. It's one of the original silver strikings from 1783, one of a supposed mintage of only 12 pieces. (A few hundred were struck in bronze.) This is where the flowing hair design started in U.S. coinage. I think the artistry and detail are first class all the way.

Conder101

A very nice medal of good ol Mad Anthony Wayne. Famous person around my neck of the woods. Fort Wayne to the north of me is named after him and Fort Recovery just a few miles east of here is where he got his a** stomped by the indians. Always struck me as odd how they have a monument and plaques up celebrating his defeat. (Of course to be fair later he did re-take the area.)

DHeath

OT Condor, but did you know that concerning the statues of our heroes on horseback, the horse's stance reflects whether the subject won or lost the battle, or was killed in battle? Leg up, Legs down, or raring.


Well, after a little research about Augustus Saint-Gaudens compliance with the code, I found this -

Significantly, in the two equestrian statues I turned up by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, one of the most famous sculptors of his day and someone who surely would have respected a code had there been one, I found that one piece did correspond with the code and one didn't. Granted, in this world of doubt and pain, one can be certain of nothing. But I say the code is BS.


So never mind.

Conder101

Yes I know about the relationship about the legs of the horse and the fate of the rider, but remember Saint-Gaudens was a genius and one thing about geniuses in any field, they can break the rules and get away with it because their talent outweighs the transgression.

shirohniichan

Pardon me for asking, but where can I get the ugly medals the Mint currently sells?

Conder101

At the US Mint web site. they list some of the medals available and have a phone number you can call to have them send you a list of all of the medals they have for sale. They only list some of them on the site or in their product catalog. It's probably one of the reasons they have never been very popular items, they've never really been advertised.

Here is the direct link to the medals at the web site: US Mint medals