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keets
keets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
About 3-4 months ago a regular customer stopped in the store and had a small medalet, 18mm Silver with Lincoln on one side and Washington on the other. He left it with me so I could figure out what exactly it was and an approximate value. I knew I needed a King reference but had a hard time finding one. The main Public Library in Toledo had a copy but my local Library wasn't in the same network for a loan. They directed me to another local Library in the right network and I went to get my Library card. Still a nerd at 59!!!

The book arrived after about a week and I think I found the correct King number in about three minutes. Along the way I learned some interesting information about the designer, Anthony C. Paquet(yes, that guy), the medal itself and other stuff. All very nice. I gave the medal back to the customer and we discussed what we had each learned. Afterwards it was discarded from my personal RAM and I think I have the number written down in some notes at home.

Fast forward to this morning. In walks a young couple, referred to us by a mutual friend, who has a hodge-podge of "stuff" left by the wive's father who has died. I sort through it all and in one of the last little plastic containers is a bunch of foreign. She said her dad was in the Merchant Marines and this was from different places he had been to. Sorting through it all I find....................the same Paquet medal. It's a little banged up, nicely toned with rub and rim dings from spending years mixed in with all the other regular coins. I totaled up the whole group and then grabbed the medal between my finger and thumb.

I explained what I knew about it from my earlier encounter, gave them an estimate of number struck and date of issue along with the designer/engraver and his importance in Numismatic History. I then suggested that they buy a holder to protect it and keep it for its importance and as a momento of her father. They left with the medal in an Air-Tite, some money in their pockets and a smile on their faces.

Life is good and coins rock my little corner of the world.image

Al H.

Comments

  • Boosibri
    Boosibri Posts: 12,715 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    cool stuff, good story!

    Latin American Collection

  • DorkGirl
    DorkGirl Posts: 9,994 ✭✭✭
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    image
    Becky
  • ricko
    ricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Great story Al...thanks...Cheers, RickO
  • TwoSides2aCoin
    TwoSides2aCoin Posts: 45,217 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Good story… You have a great job.
  • keyman64
    keyman64 Posts: 15,650 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    image
    "If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64
    Not really looking for much these days but if I were, it might be a toner. :smile:
  • HandH
    HandH Posts: 438 ✭✭✭
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    Great story.

    US Civil War coinage
    Historical Medals

  • AUandAG
    AUandAG Posts: 25,050 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Need pics, values, rarities, etc.....

    Fill in the holes for me Keets!!

    bobimage
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • topstuf
    topstuf Posts: 14,803 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I just found one of those in a restaurant. image
  • Flatwoods
    Flatwoods Posts: 4,270 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nice story, Keets.
    I know the medal of which you speak. I have always liked that medal and Paquet's work in general.
  • Walkerfan
    Walkerfan Posts: 10,392 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Great job, Keets.

    Learning and then educating others, while also enjoying the hobby. image

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • OldEastside
    OldEastside Posts: 4,602 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Great Job History Detective image

    It does Feel Good image

    Steve
    Promote the Hobby
  • Michael4692
    Michael4692 Posts: 89
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    Awesome!
  • Stuart
    Stuart Posts: 9,831 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Al, Thanks for sharing your interesting story with us fellow forum members.

    Stuart

    Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal

    "Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
  • oih82w8
    oih82w8 Posts: 13,210 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Was it one of these?

    Washington Lincoln medal
    oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's

    BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
  • keets
    keets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    it looked like this.
  • AUandAG
    AUandAG Posts: 25,050 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nice, would love to own one...someday.

    bobimage
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • coindeuce
    coindeuce Posts: 13,527 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    The 19 mm medalette you describe is more well known as Julian PR-31; also cataloged as Baker 246 and listed by Rulau in Medallic Portraits of Washington. Paquet designed the Washington bust and William Barber designed the Lincoln bust. Initially struck at Philadelphia in November 1868 in gold, silver and bronze. I've witnessed a Proof gold example in the past year - I haven't been able to liberate it image

    "Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
    http://www.american-legacy-coins.com

  • jonathanb
    jonathanb Posts: 4,154 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    There are several minor variations on this medal, differing in what is present on the truncation of the busts. PR-30 has an incuse P on Lincoln's bust. PR-31 has an incuse B. The one linked by keets seems to be the variety with nothing on the bust. Another version has AHT. Another version has Paquet spelled out in full. There are very likely others. I have auction records for 10 auction appearances in gold, a lot more in silver.
  • keets
    keets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    the one linked by me has a small "P" on the truncation of Washington while the one our customer walked in with had the entire name "Paquet" spelled out. in a strange twist, I was so focused on Pres. Lincoln that it never dawned on me to look in Baker for Pres. Washington, a book I have.

    DUH..................image

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