A recent arrival reminds me why I collect medals.

keets · February 17, 2011 8:38AM

This came on Monday via the Stack's Americana Auction in January, I thought it would never arrive!! The color is close, not perfect but better than the auction pictures. In reality the obverse is that lovely chocolate brown that baked-powder bronze tends to have and what I expected from past experience. I have a soft spot in my heart for LaFayette and his ties to early American history, so I was pleasantly surprised to see this medal in the listings and even more surprised that it came to me at such a reasonable price. What I never realized, honestly, is that it's in one of those large NGC multi-holders for medals to big for the standard ones. It's listed at 46.7mm and the obverse relief is probably above the rim.

Anyway, I thought I'd post some pictures and ask if anyone else has medallic tributes to Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette. Wowzer, what a name!!!

I wonder what his friends called him?

Al H.

Lakesammman · February 17, 2011 8:40AM

Beautiful medal.

Poor guy would have had a much happier life had he stayed in America.

baddogss · February 17, 2011 8:51AM

Hey there, that's one sweet looking medal, I like it a lot. A very nice looking medal, nice color and not messed with.

I don't have any LaFayette related medals. I do collect medals from various fairs and expositions though.

How old is it? Where was it minted, Paris?

keets · February 17, 2011 9:08AM

the medal was struck to celebrate LaFayette's return(and last) visit to America in 1824-25 and the obverse design is credited to Francois-Auguste Caunois. i assume it was struck in the U.S.

OPA · February 17, 2011 9:33AM

Talisman still has some of the Monnaie de Paris, 2007 Lafayette restrikes still available.

Recent restrikes..Talisman

Cratylus · February 17, 2011 9:47AM

I have always liked LaFayette as well. One of the true heroes of the American Revolution. And I love the medal, Al.

JRocco · February 17, 2011 9:48AM

Nice looking medal.
I love that deep/rich coloring on bronze also.

jonathanb · February 17, 2011 2:08PM

Fuld LA.1834.7. 22 mm. NGC MS 65 BN

Fuld LA.1876.1. Probably by Lovett (but unsigned). 32 mm. NGC MS 63 RB

AuroraBorealis · February 17, 2011 2:16PM

Cool Medal "keets"...

AB

Monstavet · February 17, 2011 2:46PM

Nice pickup, Al. At first I thought that was his birth year and death year, then it says his birth year at the bottom and it is different. A little slow here sometimes!

pursuitofliberty · February 17, 2011 2:55PM

nothing to add regarding La Fayette ... except what a name indeed

...

but that is a wonderful medal Al, and am so glad you shared it ... and that you collect such things ... and show us them!!

keets · February 17, 2011 7:35PM

i think he passed around 1834 at the age of 76 of pneumonia.

coindeuce · February 17, 2011 9:40PM

I've passed on several opportunities to acquire the Lafayette medal by my perception that they are rather plentiful here in the States, and are readily available just about all of the time in varying quality of preservation. I hope you didn't reach too hard for that one simply for the sake of having one in a TPG holder. They come just as nice raw, and I've seen several offered on eBay in recent weeks for modest prices.

ricko · February 17, 2011 10:03PM

Good looking medal Al. Not many people today know very much about Lafayette and the part he played in American history. A really colorful character. Cheers, RickO

garrynot · February 17, 2011 11:28PM

Great medal, Al. I am still waiting for my New York Americana purchase.

Longacre · February 18, 2011 2:35AM

Very nice purchase.

grip · February 18, 2011 3:26AM

<< <i>i think he passed around 1834 at the age of 76 of pneumonia. >>

Thats a very long life for that time.

A recent arrival reminds me why I collect medals.

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