1682 Pennsylvania Bi-Centenial. Check it out.

fcloud

Comments?

Obverse:

PENN 1682

Reverse:

DISTRIBUTED BY EMPLOYEES OF THE U.S.MINT DURING THE CELEBRATION OF PENNSYLVANIA'S BI-CENTENIAL. OCT. 24, 1882

fcloud

ttt

ER

sellsatan

Nice piece! I collect Pennsylvania exonumia (amongst many other things) and would like to know anything you can tell me about this medal. What is the relative rarity of this piece? How are they graded? What is the grade of this particular piece? What is its value?

fcloud

Scott,

I know nothing about the coin. That is why I posted, to see if anyone else knows anything. It is the same size as our SBA and Sac Dollars.

ldhair

A really cool medal but a bit common in brass. CM-42
Two gold and one hundred silver were reported in the 1883 fiscal report.

fcloud

Larry,

Do you know how many in brass?

cladking

There are a couple similar, larger issues that Hibbler Kappen list as so called dollars which
are both rare. These smaller ones are mentioned but not listed. Apparently mintage of one
was 75,000 and it could be this particular one. These were worn by marchers and distributed
"gratuitously".

In any case this medal is fairly common. They aren't often seen in unc but are easily found in
VF to AU conditions.

The similar ones are HK-138 and 139.

ldhair

75,000 made to give out at the parade.
The mint made these after that for several years for collectors.
Not sure when they stopped.

jonathanb

This is what Julian has to say:

"
These medals were originally struck in brass for distribution during the parade of October 24, 1882. Elaborate plans were made by a special committee of mint officers and workmen headed by Coiner Oliver C. Bosbyshell to have 250 men specially dressed in the parade line. There was to be a wagon drawn by six horses, carrying a steam press, from which newly-struck medals would be thrown to the crowds. Bosbyshell arranged for 50,000 brass planchets while the official city committee subscribed for another 25,000. All 75,000 were struck and distributed. These were, of course, unbronzed, but pieces struck since that time (in the mint), for sale to collectors, have had the regular bronzing applied after striking.

There was considerable newspaper publicity about the medals being struck during the parade and collectors from around the country made application to Superintendent Snowden for the medals. At first these applications were refused, but it is probably that the mint began striking them for sale because of the demand.

Two gold and one hundred silver medals were reported in the fiscal 1883 report.
"

Early American sold a silver version a couple of weeks ago. It hammered at $600 (I think). I considered bidding, but chickened out.

Here's one in slightly better condition:



jonathan

ldhair

I paid $1 for this one in 1990.

jonathanb

Also, fcloud, could you please edit the thread title to show the correct date? Thx!

fcloud

Jonathan,

Thanks for the info. And thanks for posting that photo of a much, much, much nicer one. Now, we know how they really looked. Mine is missing a nose. LOL.

cladking

Very interesting. Perhaps it's a true movable feast or the forerunner of the Mardi Gras doubloons.

jonathanb

There's a nice-condition one of these on eBay, closing in a few hours, the nicest condition I've seen since this original thread. FYI in case anyone wanted one.

1882 Pennsylvania Bi-Cent. Commem Medal from US Mint

jonathan

[Edited to clarify that I have nothing to do with the eBay listing]