KENTUCKY DERBY CENTENNIAL MEDAL

Last week's Kentucky Derby win by Rich Strike was one of the biggest upsets in the famous race's nearly 150-year history. The chestnut colt wasn't even scheduled to compete in this year's Fastest Two Minutes in Sports until just before the deadline, when Ethereal Road was scratched from the lineup.

If you're the betting type, a $50 wager on long-shot Rich Strike would have yielded a payoff of $4,090—more than enough winnings to build yourself a very nice display of Kentucky Derby medals and other collectibles.

One such medal is this week's featured collectible From the Colonel's Desk.

In 1974 the Wittnauer Mint of New Rochelle, New York (Makers of Fine Medallic Art), produced a beautiful silver medal honoring Churchill Downs and the 100th anniversary of the Derby.

 

The medal was designed by artist Marcel Jovine, who was noted for his equestrian sculptures and later designed coins for the United States Mint. It's crafted of sterling silver with a gold overlay, and weighs 1.25 avoirdupois ounces.

To add this dramatic piece to your collection, you don't have to be a winning racer—just a winning auction bidder, or a lucky coin-shop visitor.

Recent sales put its value at around $50 for an average specimen, or more for attractively toned pieces.

 

There are thousands of beautiful and historic horse-racing medals, tokens, and related collectibles within American numismatics. Some of the best of them celebrate the Bluegrass State's long-beloved Kentucky Derby. Jump into the race and you'll find some winning pieces for your own collection.

Dennis adds:

To read the complete article, see:
From the Colonel's Desk: Silver medals for the Kentucky Derby (http://news.coinupdate.com/from-the-colonels-desk-silver-medals-for-the-kentucky-derby/)

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