NUMISMAGRAM SELECTIONS: NOVEMBER 20, 2022

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V25 2022 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 25, Number 47, November 20, 20222022, Article 17

Numismagram's Jeremy Bostwick sent these four highlights from his recent addition of new material to his website. For all of the new items, including a great George Washington portrait medal, a few Christopher Columbus medals, a silver medal relating to colonial Delaware, and token with a cute cat on it, please visit https://www.numismagram.com/inventory. -Editor

101997 | UNITED STATES & GREAT BRITAIN. Treaty of Paris/Peace of Versailles white metal Medal. Issued 1783. Commemorating the end of the American Revolution (42mm, 26.39 g, 12h). By J. Reich. SIC HOSTES CONCORDIA INVGIT AMICOS (thus concord unites enemies as friends), allegory of Peace standing right, holding olive branch and clasping hands with allegory of America standing left, holding cap on pole; behind Peace is the shield of the Netherlands, behind America is the shield of the 13 colonies; between them are the shields of Great Britain (as the Irish harp), Spain (castle), and France (three lis); in background to left, bombardment from Port Mahón; in background to right, bombardment from Gibraltar; radiant Eye of Providence above; in exergue, PRVDENTIA & FATIS (by prudence and the fates), veduta intended to represent Paris, where the treaty was signed / ENSIBVS EX MARTIS LVX PACIS LÆTA RESVRGIT (from the swords of Mars, the joyful light of peace shall rise again), allegory of Peace standing slightly left, holding olive branch and cornucopia, and trampling upon fallen Mars (representing war), with broken sword; in background to right, bombardment from Gibraltar; to upper left, radiant sun with angel flying right, holding wreath and trumpeting the words FIAT PAX (let there be peace); in exergue, OPE VULCANI (by the aid of Vulcan [i.e., through hard labor and industry]). Edge: Plain. Betts 610; BHM 255; Eimer 804; cf. Pax in Nummis 655 (silver); van Loon supp. 592. PCGS MS-64. Exceptionally brilliant and prooflike, with intense mirroring.

Incredibly popular type relating to the American Revolution and subsequent independence from Great Britain. Tied with just two others at this level across both major grading services (both are PCGS), and with just one certified finer (NGC MS-65). However, it is easy to see that the present example is a premium-quality piece for the grade assigned, as it is superior to the other two MS-64s, and is actually more attractive than the MS-65 as well. For reference, the latter specimen, which realized a total of $3,960 in Heritage's September 2017 Long Beach sale, is now available via HA's best offer tool, with its current owner wanting at least $6,000. $2,895.

In his indispensable reference, American Colonial History Illustrated by Contemporary Medals, C. Wyllys Betts comments on this type, quoting Mr. W. S. Appleton (from the American Journal of Numismatics), in that the "…reference is here made to the English loss of Port Mahon, with the island of Minorca, and their successful defence of Gibraltar, both which events occurred (sic) during the War of American Independence." He also quotes Mr. Parsons, who felt that "…from the variety of designs and inscriptions which are crowded upon the two sides of the Medal, it seems as if the author proposed to write a poem in celebration of the Peace, but finally concluded to publish a Medal." Adding even more intrigue and importance, the Dutch government presented a white metal example of this type, the same as the medal presented here, to John Adams in 1787, which later found its way into the collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society.

102170 | UNITED STATES. Louisiana Purchase/St. Louis International Exposition silvered bronze "so-called" Dollar. Issued 1904 (40mm, 26.16 g, 12h). By the Holy Brothers. LOUISIANA PURCHASE / 1803, oval medallions of Thomas Jefferson, facing slightly left, and of Napoléon, facing left; between them, shield bearing stars and stripes, and surmounted by an eagle, with wings spread and head left, perched facing / WORLD'S FAIR ST LOUIS 1904, three allegorical figures (one male, two female) facing left among the clouds; the male figure trumpets and holds a torch, while one female clasps his shoulder and another, nude, holds an oval shield; at a distance to lower left, aerial view of the expo grounds. Edge: Some uneven silvering, otherwise plain. socalleddollar site, as unlisted #66; Krueger 225, Hendershott 30-260. Choice Mint State. Soft satiny-argent surfaces, with almost no breaks to the silvering. A very rare and seldom encountered type, with the alluring Art Nouveau artistry that is typically seen from the Holy Frères (brothers), who are more commonly known numismatically for their Swiss shooting medals from the same time period. $895.

Billed as the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, as it commemorated the 100th anniversary of the massive land transaction between the United States and France, the fair covered an enormous area, taking visitors nearly a week to explore its offerings.

101884 | UNITED STATES & NETHERLANDS. Pilgrims/the Mayflower bronze Medal. Issued 1920. Commemorating the 300th anniversary of the "Pilgrim Fathers" and the Mayflower (59mm, 77.77 g, 12h). By C. J. van der Hoef. THE PILGRIM FATHERS / 1620 1920 / 300 JARIGE HERDENKING, frontal view of the Mayflower, with oval shield at stern; to left, shield with arms of the Netherlands; to right, shield with stars and stripes / THE SPOT WHERE JOHN ROBINSON LIVED TAUGHT AND DIED / JAN P?S?NSHOF, facade of the Jan Pesynhof Almshouse in Leiden, where John Robinson resided. Edge: Plain. Rulau E79A. Gem Mint State. Olive-brown surfaces, with a sublime matte nature. $295.

Seeking a freedom from religion and a separation from the Church of England, those who would become known as the pilgrims and who would form a fledgling settlement in what is now Massachusetts, departed England and first set up in Leiden in the Dutch Republic, where religious freedoms were allowed. While there, the pilgrims received leadership from John Robinson, who is regarded as one of the "Pilgrim Fathers," along with Robert Browne and Henry Barrow. A group of 102 pilgrims set out for the New World in the fall of 1620, hoping to establish a new promised land, though they arrived in the area that is now Cape Cod in mid-November, a month later than expected.

Given the lack of knowledge of the area as well as basic survival skills and food gathering/harvesting, half of the colony did not survive the initial harsh winter. Were it not for assistance provided by local indigenous peoples, it is quite possible that the entire group of pilgrims would have died from exposure, disease, and hardship. The following fall, in commemoration of their arrival, the remaining pilgrims celebrated with a feast of thanksgiving, along with many local natives, in what has now been declared the initial Thanksgiving, serving as the forerunner to the national holiday.

A very pleasant design. Happy Thanksgiving! -Editor

102243 | UNITED STATES. Dog on flowers bronze Love Token. Engraved on a Two Cent Piece (23mm, 5.75 g, 11h). Head of dog left atop background pattern of flowers and within border of concentric circles; all engraved upon the obverse. Edge: Plain. Cf. KM 94 (for host coin). Engraving: About Uncirculated; Host coin: Choice Very Fine. Warm brown surfaces, with a few light marks and deposits on the reverse. A great animal pictorial type on a lesser-encountered host. $225.