Exonumia Auction - Maine Antique Digest

U.S. Mint MedalsLot 317known Feb. 22 pieces are worn or abused, perhaps because theiruse of large cent planchets made them tempting to spend. This oneis choice for the grade and ranks in the top echelon of pieces struckfrom this rare first die state.”the First Steam Coinage medals were voted #44 in the Whitmanlisting of the 100 Greatest American Tokens and medals. ($2000+)Lot 318318. FIRST STEAM COINAGE. MT-21. 27.8mm. Copper, bronzed.Anthony Paquet, Sc. Choice Uncirculated. Obv: A Libertycap surrounded by a glory is inscribed LIBERTY on the band.Rx: UNITED STATES MINT 1836 around FIRST/ STEAM/COINAGE/ MAR. 23.mintage is probable. (H)Lot 316317. FIRST STEAM COINAGE. MT-20. 28mm. Copper. AnthonyPaquet, Sc. Extremely Fine with two small field marks to eitherside of the Liberty cap. On the reverse, there is a linear planchetdefect running irregularly from the “S” of FIRST down throughthe left arm of the “M” of STEAM and to the left of the “N” ofMINT. Obverse with a Liberty cap surrounded by a glory isinscribed LIBERTY on the band. Reverse: UNITED STATESMINT 1836 around FIRST/ STEAM/ COINAGE/ FEB. 22.according to Julian, the original ceremony for the striking of thefirst steam coinage medalet was to take place on Washington’sbirthday, February 22, and the dies for the piece were so dated.However, mechanical troubles forced the delay of the ceremonyuntil March 23. As a result very few of these tokens were struck.The ceremony was rescheduled for March 23 and the die wasrepunched MAR 23 over FEB . 22. These early strikings clearlyshow the overpunching. Julian reports that, “the dies were kepton hand for several years and then either lost or became useless insome way…. Anthony C. Paquet made a fresh pair of dies early in1862.” ($1000+)319. NEW YORK ASSAY OFFICE CORNERSTONE LAYING,1919. 76.9mm. Bronze. J.R. Sinnock, Sc. UNCIRCULATED. Obv:ASSAY OFFICE/ Roman numeral dates 1814 1919 above viewof the front of the building. NEW YORK below. Rx: UNITEDSTATES OF AMERICA DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURYaround balance scales & commemorative insc. re cornerstonelaying of NY Assay Office. This was not a Mint List medal andapparently was issued only for the ceremony and not for sale to thegeneral public. Mintage unknown, but based upon the paucity ofthis token was struck with the original dies intended for the firststeam coinage ceremony to be held on Washington’s birthday.However, mechanical troubles forced the delay of the ceremonyuntil March 23. As a result very few of these tokens were struck.Carlson records auction appearances for 16 copper; 3 brass and 2gilt tokens.H82in the Stacks/ Bowers sale of 1/24/12, a choice XF example whichbrought $4600.00, was commented upon as follows, “Most of the