If you are referring to purchasing that medal, the answer would be no for this reason.
BTW it took me several years of searching to locate one of these sets.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
That is an amazing set Bill! I've been interested in these pieces for a while and the original presentation and collection certainly makes an impression!
If the question is in acquisition of the piece in the OP, I would also pass based on the photos.
<< <i>That is an amazing set Bill! I've been interested in these pieces for a while and the original presentation and collection certainly makes an impression!
If the question is in acquisition of the piece in the OP, I would also pass based on the photos. >>
Thank you!
I have acquired an interest in the Centennial Medals because of strange family heirloom which got away from me. Back in 1975 when my grandmother had to move to a nursing home, my father had an auction company sell the contents of her house. Among the items was set of six pressed wood medals from the 1876 Centennial Fair. I never got a good look at them, but I knew they among my grandmother's holdings. You might have thought that as the numismatist of the family that I would have had a shot them, but my family didn't work that way. They were sold at the auction, which was run like a country action, I couldn't attend.
Years later I bought this set. The box is pretty much disintegrated but here it is.
Picture of Centennial Fair Grounds on the box lid.
It would have been interesting to know how that set of wooden medals got into the family. My grandmother was born in 1883, so it could not have been her purchase. My great grandparents were born in 1846 so they could have gone to fair, but my cousin, which is into genealogy and family history says no. So it is a mystery, and the set was sold at any rate.
As for the four piece set I posted earlier, I looked for that one without really knowing what it looked like. At first I operated under the incorrect assumption that the four medals were the size of the smaller pieces. Finally I was able to put the information together, and I found that set at a Winter FUN show.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
Nope as I would stand... Since it's much easier to reach the stars in that position
hey Frank, you might be able to reach them standing but Mary Chapin-Carpenter once wrote "Why walk when you can fly?" which would probably be a better way to reach the stars.
now I shall sit back while Bill reads my mind and Zoins weighs in with a critique.
I've owned various Centennial medals and other assorted "stuff" from the Centennial celebration. Cool, but had to narrow numismatic focus and move to smaller and better things
my interest in Centennial medals was "encouraged" by NGC and their use of the multi-coin holder, five coins/medals grouped together. I like to do themes and I was putting together what I had named the Jubilee Collection which was a tribute to the success of American Independence at 50 year intervals.
1776 --- probably would have been a nice Fugio Cent, it was the last one I needed. 1826 --- HK-1, my medal was used as the plate coin in the second edition. 1876 --- HK-21, the medal above which doesn't come much nicer than that example. 1926 --- HK-452 which is a very nice high relief bronze medal. 1976 --- Gold Bi-Centennial medal.
though I had never contemplated 2026 it would have presented a problem, but NGC ceased issuance of the holders so the point is moot.
These medals have a growing fascination with me. I'm slowly picking up a couple here and there. I just picked up the 1904 Louisiana Expo Souviner medal with Jefferson/ Napoleon busts. It's gold plated; our hosts have graded it MS 65. Image forthcoming. ( when I get off the iPad )
Mike Hayes ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Coin collecting is not a hobby, it's an obsession !
Those are some really beautiful medals, Keets. I like them alot.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
<< <i>That is an amazing set Bill! I've been interested in these pieces for a while and the original presentation and collection certainly makes an impression!
If the question is in acquisition of the piece in the OP, I would also pass based on the photos. >>
Thank you!
I have acquired an interest in the Centennial Medals because of strange family heirloom which got away from me. Back in 1975 when my grandmother had to move to a nursing home, my father had an auction company sell the contents of her house. Among the items was set of six pressed wood medals from the 1876 Centennial Fair. I never got a good look at them, but I knew they among my grandmother's holdings. You might have thought that as the numismatist of the family that I would have had a shot them, but my family didn't work that way. They were sold at the auction, which was run like a country action, I couldn't attend.
Years later I bought this set. The box is pretty much disintegrated but here it is.
Picture of Centennial Fair Grounds on the box lid.
It would have been interesting to know how that set of wooden medals got into the family. My grandmother was born in 1883, so it could not have been her purchase. My great grandparents were born in 1846 so they could have gone to fair, but my cousin, which is into genealogy and family history says no. So it is a mystery, and the set was sold at any rate.
As for the four piece set I posted earlier, I looked for that one without really knowing what it looked like. At first I operated under the incorrect assumption that the four medals were the size of the smaller pieces. Finally I was able to put the information together, and I found that set at a Winter FUN show. >>
I have always been curious about wooden and fiber medals because my brain tells me they can't be made the same way as metal is struck. does anyone have a reference which explains how sets like what Bill pictured are made??
@keets said:
I have always been curious about wooden and fiber medals because my brain tells me they can't be made the same way as metal is struck. does anyone have a reference which explains how sets like what Bill pictured are made??
Here is a quote from that article: "The “black walnut medals,” so called are, it is said, made from wood cut with the grain, steamed until it assumes a semi-pulpy condition, then coated with shell-lac, and the impression made by a squeeze and not a blow."
@keets said:
I have always been curious about wooden and fiber medals because my brain tells me they can't be made the same way as metal is struck. does anyone have a reference which explains how sets like what Bill pictured are made??
Here is a quote from that article: "The “black walnut medals,” so called are, it is said, made from wood cut with the grain, steamed until it assumes a semi-pulpy condition, then coated with shell-lac, and the impression made by a squeeze and not a blow."
Great article and find! It's always nice to see how things are done in the old days. Sometimes, it's not so clear how things were made in the past.
“A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly."
@DUIGUY...Those are very nice.... while I would likely be interested in the OP specimen, I would certainly be drawn to the one's in your picture. Cheers, RickO
Comments
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
BTW it took me several years of searching to locate one of these sets.
If the question is in acquisition of the piece in the OP, I would also pass based on the photos.
<< <i>That is an amazing set Bill! I've been interested in these pieces for a while and the original presentation and collection certainly makes an impression!
If the question is in acquisition of the piece in the OP, I would also pass based on the photos. >>
Thank you!
I have acquired an interest in the Centennial Medals because of strange family heirloom which got away from me. Back in 1975 when my grandmother had to move to a nursing home, my father had an auction company sell the contents of her house. Among the items was set of six pressed wood medals from the 1876 Centennial Fair. I never got a good look at them, but I knew they among my grandmother's holdings. You might have thought that as the numismatist of the family that I would have had a shot them, but my family didn't work that way. They were sold at the auction, which was run like a country action, I couldn't attend.
Years later I bought this set. The box is pretty much disintegrated but here it is.
Picture of Centennial Fair Grounds on the box lid.
It would have been interesting to know how that set of wooden medals got into the family. My grandmother was born in 1883, so it could not have been her purchase. My great grandparents were born in 1846 so they could have gone to fair, but my cousin, which is into genealogy and family history says no. So it is a mystery, and the set was sold at any rate.
As for the four piece set I posted earlier, I looked for that one without really knowing what it looked like. At first I operated under the incorrect assumption that the four medals were the size of the smaller pieces. Finally I was able to put the information together, and I found that set at a Winter FUN show.
hey Frank, you might be able to reach them standing but Mary Chapin-Carpenter once wrote "Why walk when you can fly?" which would probably be a better way to reach the stars.
now I shall sit back while Bill reads my mind and Zoins weighs in with a critique.
Love the wood pieces from the Ornamental Wood Company of Philadelphia Bill! I haven't seen those before and like the image on the inside lid.
Very nice looking HK-471 and HK-294 as well Al. Keep up the quality of the set
Grade looks good but I don't like the surfaces.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
1776 --- probably would have been a nice Fugio Cent, it was the last one I needed.
1826 --- HK-1, my medal was used as the plate coin in the second edition.
1876 --- HK-21, the medal above which doesn't come much nicer than that example.
1926 --- HK-452 which is a very nice high relief bronze medal.
1976 --- Gold Bi-Centennial medal.
though I had never contemplated 2026 it would have presented a problem, but NGC ceased issuance of the holders so the point is moot.
I just picked up the 1904 Louisiana Expo Souviner medal with Jefferson/ Napoleon busts. It's gold
plated; our hosts have graded it MS 65. Image forthcoming. ( when I get off the iPad )
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coin collecting is not a hobby, it's an obsession !
New Barber Purchases
best price coin sale link below (READ CAREFULLY)
https://photos.app.goo.gl/oqym2YtcS7ZAZ73D6
<< <i>
<< <i>That is an amazing set Bill! I've been interested in these pieces for a while and the original presentation and collection certainly makes an impression!
If the question is in acquisition of the piece in the OP, I would also pass based on the photos. >>
Thank you!
I have acquired an interest in the Centennial Medals because of strange family heirloom which got away from me. Back in 1975 when my grandmother had to move to a nursing home, my father had an auction company sell the contents of her house. Among the items was set of six pressed wood medals from the 1876 Centennial Fair. I never got a good look at them, but I knew they among my grandmother's holdings. You might have thought that as the numismatist of the family that I would have had a shot them, but my family didn't work that way. They were sold at the auction, which was run like a country action, I couldn't attend.
Years later I bought this set. The box is pretty much disintegrated but here it is.
Picture of Centennial Fair Grounds on the box lid.
It would have been interesting to know how that set of wooden medals got into the family. My grandmother was born in 1883, so it could not have been her purchase. My great grandparents were born in 1846 so they could have gone to fair, but my cousin, which is into genealogy and family history says no. So it is a mystery, and the set was sold at any rate.
As for the four piece set I posted earlier, I looked for that one without really knowing what it looked like. At first I operated under the incorrect assumption that the four medals were the size of the smaller pieces. Finally I was able to put the information together, and I found that set at a Winter FUN show. >>
This is very cool good for you....
Hoard the keys.
I just found this thread. There is an excellent article in the July 2014 of the "The Numismatist":
https://money.org/uploads/pdfs/DiePressedWoodenMedals8.26.pdf
Here is a quote from that article: "The “black walnut medals,” so called are, it is said, made from wood cut with the grain, steamed until it assumes a semi-pulpy condition, then coated with shell-lac, and the impression made by a squeeze and not a blow."
Great article and find! It's always nice to see how things are done in the old days. Sometimes, it's not so clear how things were made in the past.
..........would you??
As always, that depends on the price.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
I did. The holder is more impressive than the coin for it's age. This is the silver piece.
The set that Bill Jones is showing is incredible.
Years ago I had one of those in the original box.
Ten years ago, saw a set like that at a local show.. Thought the guy wanted too much ... Now ?
What was he asking ten years ago? Anyone know what they go for now?
100 for AU> @SCDHunter said:
$100 for AUs
Seeing it in a set like this made it way more interesting.
Yes

- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
Love this thread. Visits to the forum do not disappoint!
@DUIGUY...Those are very nice.... while I would likely be interested in the OP specimen, I would certainly be drawn to the one's in your picture. Cheers, RickO
Here is my cheap version, looks like they are getting pretty good $$ on the bay.
Successful BST deals with mustangt and jesbroken. Now EVERYTHING is for sale.