Henry Clay medal in silver by Joseph H.Merriam (updated with tin example)

DCW

Wanted to share this fairly recent acquisition to my collection of medals and tokens by Boston medalist, Joseph H. Merriam, of which Ive grown very fond of. Struck in silver, it has rich and colorful pull away toning that makes it a stand out piece in the collection. I do believe that this medal was previously unknown in silver. Undoubtedly very rare, and quite possibly unique.
Henry Clay medal in silver by Merriam. "The Eloquent Defender of National Rights" circa 1860. NGC MS65

Purchased from JK Americana. Thanks go out to 'Broadstruck' for pointing me in the right direction.

coinsarefun

Super nice example!!

Flatwoods

That's a pretty amazing piece. Congatulatons on aquiring it.

BillJones

Congratulations! Finding any token or medal by Joseph Merriam is tough because the mintages were so low. I can't figure out why after going to the trouble of making a good die, why he made so few pieces. It just doesn't make an sense to me.

At any rate Merriam was a great medalist. The trouble is his output was so low that few collectors get to appreciate his work.

MsMorrisine

Congratulations on a unique find.

brg5658

Fantastic token. Congrats!

ricko

Very nice medal... Congratulations on a fine acquisition...Cheers, RickO

Jinx86

Very nice piece, interesting to read how many very important people in US history that he was in contact with.

Zoins

Beautiful medal and a nice collection focus. Congrats

AngryTurtle

Beauty! I did not realize Clay died that early, I though he made it to the Civil War era.

BillJones

<< <i>Beauty! I did not realize Clay died that early, I though he made it to the Civil War era. >>



All of the "big three," Clay, Calhoun and Webster, were all dead by the time the Civil War started.

TopographicOceans

Nice. Very nice/

DCW

<< <i>All of the "big three," Clay, Calhoun and Webster, were all dead by the time the Civil War started. >>



Really drives home how long the buildup was to the American Civil War.

Mark

That is extremely beautiful. Do you know any of the medal's history--that is, was it struck for a particular event or as one of a series or??

SeattleSlammer

<< <i>Congratulations! Finding any token or medal by Joseph Merriam is tough because the mintages were so low. I can't figure out why after going to the trouble of making a good die, why he made so few pieces. It just doesn't make an sense to me.

At any rate Merriam was a great medalist. The trouble is his output was so low that few collectors get to appreciate his work. >>





+1
Great piece!

DCW

<< <i>That is extremely beautiful. Do you know any of the medal's history--that is, was it struck for a particular event or as one of a series or?? >>



Thank you. This medal was probably struck right around the time of the 1860 election or shortly before. In a time of great patriotism and nationalism (both for the Union and the confederacy) he struck a number of medals commemorating the lives of important American figures. Washington, Franklin, Webster, Clay to name a few. He did Lincoln, Stephan Douglas, and John Bell during the election. Why no Breckenridge? Perhaps it exists somewhere...
He went on the commemorate special events of the day like the boxing match between Thomas Sayers and John Heenan, a visit from Prince Edward of Wales, and the first voyage of the Great Eastern.
He did a few Union generals like Hooker, Kearney, and McClellan. Why no U.S. Grant? Perhaps it exists somewhere...
He is known for many merchant tokens and storecards, too.
But he is most famous for the celebrated "Good for a Scent" civil war token which features a dog on the obverse of a cent sized planchet, a play on words that continues to humor us 150 years later...
Here is my example which once resided in the Steve Tanenbaum collection:


His work typically displays a high degree of artistry, with ornate lettering and high relief sculpture.

291fifth

It is unusual to see medals of that era in such high grades, let alone with such great eye-appeal!

DUIGUY

lordmarcovan

Lovely toning. Looks quite prooflike.

Washingtoniana

very nice medal!

MidLifeCrisis

Excellent!

nwcoast

A really stunning Medal!
Congratulations

keyman64

Cool.

BillJones

Here is an example of the Merriam's General Joseph Hooker medalet. According to the late Steve Tannenbaum there are about ten of these known, and this one is probably the lowest grade example.

DCW

Here is a recent pick up to accompany the silver medal in the original post. This one is not as attractive, but is nice none the less.
Henry Clay medal in silvered white medal by Merriam:

Broadstruck

<< <i>Here is a recent pick up to accompany the silver medal in the original post. This one is not as attractive, but is nice none the less.
Henry Clay medal in silvered white medal by Merriam: >>



Nice but doesn't look silvered just plain white metal.

DCW

You're right , Frank. It's struck in tin, no silvering.

Hydrant

Beautiful piece.