In a Stack's Bowers blog post written Wednesday, August 12, 2015, Frank Van Valen reminisces about his quest for an example of James
Earle Fraser's Norse-American medal. -Editor
The famous 1925 Norse-American medals are the work of James Earle Fraser of Buffalo nickel fame. As a youngster I remember the first
time I ever looked into a dealer’s case and saw a 1925 Norse-American medal. It was large, octagonal, and had a really neat and appealing
Viking design. Back in the 1960s the medals were not overly expensive, but another coin, probably a Liberty Seated dime, must have caught
my attention that day and the Norse-American medal was forgotten.
Over the years I came in contact with many of the pieces, but I never seemed to connect, as coins always came first. Several years ago
when silver was lingering at about $6 to $8 an ounce, I came across the Norse-American medal featured here in a New York State coin shop.
When I asked the price, the dealer threw it on his scale and quoted me melt value. I don’t remember the cost, but it weighs 35 grams and I
was charged accordingly.
The chain is stamped “sterling” and makes a great complement to the actual medal. Deep silver-gray with golden highlights, the thick
planchet piece I own -- they come on thin planchets as well -- grades EF or so due to its use as jewelry. It sits on my royal purple velvet
desktop tray at work along with numerous other exonumia items, and every now and then I flip the medal so I can enjoy each of the Viking
designs -- the warrior on one side and the longboat on the other. And, as far as I’m concerned, I don’t need to own another 1925
Norse-American medal; my “desktop” model does the job just fine!
I don't care for most coin jewelry, but this one works. And while I hate to see a great coin harmed, this looks like an excellent
marriage. -Editor
To read the complete article, see:
“I always wanted a Norse-American medal…” (www.stacksbowers.com/NewsMedia/Blogs/TabId/780/
ArtMID/2678/ArticleID/65302/%E2%80%9CI-always-wanted
-a-Norse-American-medal%E2%80%A6%E2%80%9D.aspx)
Wayne Homren, Editor
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