The November 25 Certified American Tokens and Medals Showcase Auction from Heritage Auctions offers another selection of outstanding tokens and medals, including a Libertas Americana medal, a study of Abraham Lincoln by Victor D. Brenner, and a fascinating grouping of Sawyer Bronze Galvanos, along with the usual wide variety of 19th-century tokens. This auction is open for bidding right now at the link above and the concluding live session is scheduled for Monday, November 25, 2024, at 6PM CT.
Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, while serving as an American diplomat to France, is credited with the idea behind the Libertas Americana medal. France as Minerva defends the infant United States from the English lion, as the infant strangles two snakes representing military victories at Saratoga and Yorktown. Augustin Dupré was the engraver, and the Paris Mint struck the medal. The Liberty bust with a Liberty Cap and Pole was later featured on U.S. half cents and large cents.
A die break on the obverse rim near 7 o’clock is characteristic of original strikings, of which 100 to 125 bronze examples survive. This example, graded Unc Details by NGC, has a few delicate pinscratches on the field above the lion. A blob of solder is noted above the infant, indicating that a mount has been removed at some point in the past.
Some of the other fascinating tokens and medals offered here include:
- (Circa. 1830) Georgius “Wasington”, Series Numismatica, MONACHII on Edge, Bronze, Baker-131A, MS63 Brown NGC
- (c.1860) Washington Star – Equestrian, MS66 PCGS. Baker 98M Variety
- 1883-Dated Sons of the Revolution Badge, Uncertified. Baker CA-678
- 1862-Dated Abraham Lincoln Indian Peace Medal, Second Reverse, MS65 Brown NGC.
- 1863 W.W. Hanley, Cincinnati, OH, MS65 Red PCGS. Fuld-OH165BL-4a, R.7.
- 1863 F. Fritz, Fond Du Lac, WI, MS63 Red and Brown PCGS. Fuld-WI220E-3a, R.8.
- 1863 Washington – Our Union MS62 PCGS. Baker-486, Fuld-108/201e, R.8.
- 1860-Dated Alaska 1/4 Pinch, Head Right, Octagonal UNC Details NGC. R.8.
Place your bids on these unusual tokens and medals at Heritage before the auction closes on November 25, exclusively at Coins.HA.com.
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