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V11 2008 INDEX       E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 11, Number 35, August 31, 2008, Article 8

AUSTRALIA'S CHARLOTTE MEDAL PEDIGREED TO JOHN J. FORD

George Kolbe forwarded an interesting tidbit of information about a famous medal discussed here recently - the unique Charlotte Medal, a silver disc engraved by the convict and expert forger Thomas Barrett when the First Fleet arrived at Botany Bay.
I think big E readers will find the following report, (excerpted by yours truly) from the Sale 88 prices realized list of Noble Numismatics Pty Ltd, to be of interest:

"The highlight of this auction was the sale of the Dr John M Chapman Collection of Australian Historical Medals in a separate catalogue featuring the Charlotte medal that realised a world record price of $873,750 for an historical medal The Chapman collection listed in 750 lots realized a total of $2.25 million The Chapman Collection was eagerly anticipated by a large attendance of over 100 with standing room only. The excitement unfolded from the start with the Naval Exploration Medals bringing multiples of estimates the room was tense with TV cameras running, [when] the bidding for the Charlotte Medal (lot 704) got underway with the hammer finally falling on a new world record for an historical medal of $873, 850 [sic] (approx US$ 850,000).

Immediately after this, a round of congratulatory applause broke out in the room The price reflected the importance of the piece as a tangible historical colonial work of art of the First Fleet. It is interesting to note that the medal was owned till 1981 by the late John J Ford of the USA what irony that his most valuable medal turned out to be Australian. Ford only relinquished the medal in 1981 to us as a return of favour for securing for him in our sale 4 (Nov 1980) the John Jacob Astor Fur Traders Indian Peace medal."


Charlotte Medal Charlotte Medal


Does anyone know the earlier provenance of the medal? Was it documented in the Noble catalogues? -Editor


THE BOOK BAZARRE

DAVID SKLOW - FINE NUMISMATIC BOOKS now accepting consignments for our future sales. Consignments in hand include many rare monographs from The Numismatist 1893 and later. numismaticbooks@aol.com (719) 302-5686, visit our web site www.finenumismaticbooks.com
DAVID F. FANNING NUMISMATIC LITERATURE offers fixed price lists on our Web site at www.fanningbooks.com. Our upcoming October 28th mail-bid auction will include a wide variety of material including A nearly complete run of the Essay-Proof Journal. dfanning@columbus.rr.com





Wayne Homren, Editor

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