Need HELP identifying a large, silver medal

phantom50

Can anyone help me find some information on this obscure medal? I have a majority of the books on coins and currency but not on medals.

Hennepin County Agricultural Society Medal

LARGER IMAGE

Hennepin County is located in Minnesota (think Minneapolis area). Short of talking with someone at the county's/state's historical site, I was wondering if there is a book or online resource that can help with more information. I have to sell this in the future but I can't find anything on it. Here are some specs:

Diameter: 50mm
Thickness: 4mm
Composition: Silver (I would guess .999 Fine or .925 Sterling)
Edge: Smooth, no markings
Weight: Around 1 oz. (sorry as I only have my postal scale available, grams scale is boxed right now)

If better (larger) photos are required, please let me know. It looks like it would be issued to someone, possibly a county fair winner or society board member?

Anyway, thanks in advance. Post responses here or just PM me if you can help.

Brock
phantom50

OPA

With the dimensions that you quoted...this medal should weigh at least 2 oz or more if its solid silver.

jonathanb

Yes, minnesota. One of these was sold in the Presdential Coin And Antique Co. auction in 2007 (lot 86), described as 51 mm, 47.2 grams.

Medals like this were typically awarded at the state fair. The winner could get it engraved in the big open space on the reverse (some did; some didn't).

According to Google, the society still exits and the fair is still held yearly.

Ahrensdad

I live in Hennepin County. You are correct, it is the Minneapolis area. And yes, the state fair is held every year. It is infact one of the largest in the country. I don't know anything about the medal, but wanted to chime in.

phantom50

<< <i>Yes, minnesota. One of these was sold in the Presdential Coin And Antique Co. auction in 2007 (lot 86), described as 51 mm, 47.2 grams.

Medals like this were typically awarded at the state fair. The winner could get it engraved in the big open space on the reverse (some did; some didn't).

According to Google, the society still exits and the fair is still held yearly. >>




Being a former resident of MN, I am very familiar with the Twin Cities area and the State Fair. I unpacked my scale and your specs are correct. Roughly 48g and 50mm, as stated before. I went searching for the listing you posted, but am having a hard time finding results or a catalog from that auction (Presidential Coin And Antique Co. auction in 2007 (lot 86)). I found the prior auction from 2006 HERE and HERE. They don't have the 2007 auction as far as I can see.

So the next question is, does anyone have this 2007 Lot 86 sales data? I'm just looking for a baseline price and possibly a metal composition (fine silver, Sterling silver, etc.) Thanks. And thank you to all who have posted their help. I do appreciate it.

Brock
phantom50

ricko

Nice medal... if tarnish is removed would likely be quite attractive. Cheers, RickO

Barndog

lot 86 had a price realized of $175. It was described as "choice, attractively toned, about uncirculated" and was uninscribed, like the one posted in this thread

coindeuce

This medal is listed in Andrew Harkness' recently published (Lulu.com) work on Agricultural Society and Mechanics Association Award medals. Harkness is the foremost collector of these medals, having amassed a collection of close to 1,000 from just about every State in the Union. Market value for many of the Award medals is significantly enhanced when they are inscribed (usually hand engraved) with the name of an awardee and the event/nature of the award. Many of the state organizations medals are listed in R.W. Julian's "U.S. Mint Medals of the First Century, 1792-1892". I currently own several N.Y. State Ag. Society issues produced by the U.S. Mint, and several County Ag. Society issues as well (Monroe & St. Lawrence).

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keets

sorry.