Bronze Eglit 37 graded and imaged.
keets
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I had submitted a Columbian Expostion medal to PCGS primarily for encapsulation and imaging. Everything posted yesterday so I thought I'd share the images.
The medal was struck in both White Metal and Bronze and listed in "Columbiana" as being a Proof issue with a diameter of 65mm. Those struck in White Metal are much easier to find and can be striking in appearance, bright white with a nice Deep Cameo contrast. Bronze medals are much more difficult to find and are often impaired in some way, mainly from improper storage. The obverse design shows Columbus steering with his left hand while his right hand holds a female, angelic figure who seems to be guiding him and pointing the way, floating above the ship with a star overhead. The reverse has a heraldic eagle perched atop a tablet describing the exposition with a view of the grounds just underneath.
The medal itself is quite well preserved, with no readily visible contact marks or rub, and came in the original box of issue. There is a difference in color between the two sides, presumably because the reverse faced down in the box and was protected from oxidation. A few scattered dark spots are visible with one reverse disturbance in color to the right and below the tablet. My assessment was MS64, PCGS graded it SP62 which is puzzling to me, but admittedly the reverse is duller than the obverse. It is well protected now and I'll continue to search for Bronze examples.
If you have a Bronze or White Metal Eglit 37 please post pictures, the obverse design is really quite beautiful. Thanks and enjoy.
Al H.
Comments
Stunningly beautiful. I truly wish today's Mint coins could even be half as pretty.
Wow ... That's nice!
some of the most beautifully designed medals from the World's Columbian Exposition came from Europe. this example was issued by V. Christensen of Copenhagen as inscribed on the lower right reverse at the rim. also, to the left reads N. Fristrup Inv. F. Schmahlfeld S.C.V. Christensen.
Indeed a beautiful medal Al....I bet it is even better in bronze.....Good luck in your search. Cheers, RickO
Here's an Eglit-105 in white metal that I bought at the FUN Show a year & a half ago and just got back from ATS. It came with parts of the original box and was sharpest example I'd ever handled or seen. It is 1/0 in grade ATS and is 1/0 in all grades. (Sorry for the quick reflective red camera p&s images but I won't see Todd/BluCC for a while -- the p/l is deep).
This one is the 59mm reduced size medal designed by Luigi Pogliaghi, engraved by Angelo Cappuccio and struck by the well known Stefano Johnson S.p.a. firm of Milan, Italy. This piece uses the English language obverse adapted for increased sales at the Columbian Expo. Eglit describes the reverse " In the center the figure of "Civilization" surrounded by Genii. Below, an Indian warrior, to the left, coastline of America with the Capitol at Washington in the distance. Around the edge, coats of arms of all the states."
does that have a "Hoffman" provenance??
I can't believe it's only a 62...that would be a 65/66 in Federal coinage.
No, one of my "once a year FUN regulars" brought it to me in Orlando -- long time family item.
I can't believe it's only a 62...that would be a 65/66 in Federal coinage.
I'm glad someone else said it!!
the only reasoning that makes sense to me is that the color on the reverse is lighter and since they designate it as "SP" the graders may see that as a detriment to the overall grade. to be honest, though, the grade is secondary to the encapsulation for protection and the images. NGC designates these as "MS" and MS64 seemed likely to me due to the reverse.
Nice medal! It screams 1890's.
Beautiful piece, Keets. Love that mahogany color.
Exciting and awesome medal @keets ! It's very well preserved after all these years.
I'm also curious why PCGS would give it a 62. I don't see anything on that which would warrant a 62. From the photos it deserves a much higher grade.
I'm with @kaz on this ... almost verbatim
@keets That is a gorgeous piece Al. And I really appreciate the write up and explanation too. As for the grade ... bah! ... sometimes pieces transcend the numerical grade. This one certainly seems to do that.
@tokenpro That's a pretty kewl piece you have as well!
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242