NEW BOOK: AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL SOCIETY MEDALS OF THE U.S.

There's a new book out - Agricultural and Mechanical Society Medals of the United States, 211 pages, soft-bound, by longtime collector Andrew Harkness of Pittsfield NY. There are two versions: one at $85 with color plates and one at $35 with black and white plates on cheaper paper. The book documents hundreds of bronze, white metal, silver and gold medals in the author's finest-known collection, many struck by the U.S. Mint and also by state and county societies going back to the early 1800's.

It's published at and only available thru www.LuLu.com. Just announced this week, only Joe Levine of Presidential Coin & Antique Company (PCAC) has one (he received a complimentary copy). One is coming to me, ordered yesterday at $85 + $3.99 postage.

I know what author/collector Andy Harkness (75 yrs old) owns and I expect the book to be impressive, although with only a preface and lacking any individual notes for each medal, it's more of a magnificent published inventory of what Andy owns.

Agricultural and Mechanical Society medals are a popular and highly attractive series of medals - see the "AM" section of Robert W. Julian's U.S. Mint Medals 1792-1892. Joe Levine often features this subject in his annual auctions and the last auction - perhaps 3 yrs ago - was a major collection "rip-roaring" with individual prices into the multi-thousands.

Just yesterday, I acquired privately a 4oz 1873 cased Agricultural medal in .900 fine gold - a medal not supposed to exist according to U.S. Mint records. I'm still floating on air. Also see John Sallay's website www.neocollect.com for over 100 Agricultural & Mechanical Society medals I own to indicate just how appealing these medals are. And Andy owns many medals I do not own.

For more information at Lulu.com, see: Agricultural and Mechanical Society Award Medals of The United States (Color) (http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/agricultural-and-mechanical
-society-award-medals-of-the-united-states-%28color%29/6150204)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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