Talk about a revelation! My jaw hit the floor today.

coindeuce · February 8, 2011 1:25PM

Couple of long tenured members of our local club visited the shop today, one of whom is the club's collection curator. He carefully handed me two boxes of 4" X 4" X 1/2" dimension, which I excitedly opened while standing, and promptly fell back into my chair in awe. The 1st medal is a copper 73mm 1853 Crystal Palace medal which I have never seen before! Not signed, but with many of the characteristics of the style of F.N Mitchell; intricate reverse design with several cherubs and laurel wreath. The 2nd medal is a white metal 77mm Thomason creation of the Erie Canal Completion closely duplicated by C.C.Wright on the 41mm HK-1 SoCalled Dollar.
When I inquired what the occasion was for the visit, the curator replied: "We (a collaboration of club members) are photographing key elements of the club's collection, and publishing a book to share with the greater numismatic community. I have been chosen to write the excerpt on the history of the Thomason medal. I accepted that with no reservations , as this is where I really want to be in my numismatic career right now.

And then came the bombshell. As I was carrying on conversation with the curator, I expressed my sentiment (albeit mild) that I have been a club member for 15 years, and I had only recently heard rumours about the breadth of the Rochester Numismatic Association collection, including the medals which I had just examined. The quick response was to the effect that this was the mission of the soon to be published book; that the club had suffered a burglary from the archives back in the 1960's, when the collection was stored in a building on the grounds of the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Many of the old guard have been very protective of the collection since then. But that didn't stop the curator from offering the following quip: "Well friend, you will be happy to know that a living member of the club recently donated an original Silver Proof strike of the Castorland medal by DuVivier !

I was speechless!

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MrEureka · February 8, 2011 1:30PM

"Well friend, you will be happy to know that a living member of the club recently donated an original Silver Proof strike of the Castorland medal by DuVivier !

Interesting. I didn't know that originals existed in proof format.

Coinosaurus · February 8, 2011 1:35PM

The things hiding in institutional collections........amazing........

Kudos to the ANS for working on digitizing their collection.

coindeuce · February 8, 2011 1:37PM

I have an appointment to see the medal soon Andy. If I mentioned that the donor is a descendant of DuVivier, would that make you feel more inclined to accept the word of the curator?

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MrEureka · February 8, 2011 1:51PM

If I mentioned that the donor is a descendant of DuVivier, would that make you feel more inclined to accept the word of the curator?

I'd be more likely to believe it's an original, but still highly doubt that it's an "original proof".

oreville · February 8, 2011 2:20PM

This is interesting news!

Wonder how it looks?

DUIGUY · February 8, 2011 3:31PM

WOW and DOUBLE WOW!!!!

291fifth · February 8, 2011 4:49PM

Rather than being awed, you should, as a member, insist on a complete accounting/auditing of the club's collection. It sounds like the "old guard" may have been more than just "very protective." Is the "old guard" operating within the bylaws of the club?

ricko · February 8, 2011 9:36PM

Will you be able to take pictures? Cheers, RickO

coindeuce · February 8, 2011 10:18PM

I was informed that the Castorland medal has prooflike surfaces, and displays a deep blue patina over the entire surfaces. I will have a camera at my viewing, and will post images here at the earliest opportunity.

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Keets,kryptonitecomics,KSteelheader,LasVegasTeddy,LeeG,
LucyBop,mach19,magazineman,MisterTicToc,
Nocerino18,Numisma,oldwestgold,oreville,PreTurb,
Rob41281,Robb,robkool,RPMHunter,RTS,
SeaEagleCoins,steelielee,Stone,sToner,smittys,tydye,Walkerguy21D

jdillane · February 8, 2011 11:27PM

Very exciting stuff. Looking forward to updates!

firstmint · February 10, 2011 3:12AM

Be sure to ask for any Dupre material.

Talk about a revelation! My jaw hit the floor today.

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