5015

1796 MEDAL Castorland Medal, Silver XF40 NGC. Fol

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1796 MEDAL Castorland Medal, Silver XF40 NGC. Fol
<B>1796<MEDAL> Castorland Medal, Silver XF40 NGC.</B></I> Following the founding of the Revolutionary Tribunal in 1792, numerous families fled France for upper New York State. They chose a beaver (or castor in French) as the mascot of the proposed settlement. Before departing France, the trustee of the settlement persuaded the Paris Mint to strike silver ecus for the colonists. These pieces were taken to New York and placed into circulation. The settlement, christened Castorland, is now the town of Carthage, New York.<BR> While most survivors of this issue are understandably well worn, the present example is among the finest available to today's collectors. In fact, wear is one of the characteristics of an original Castorland token. In a conversation with John Ford in August 1997, he stated that the finest original he knew of was a VF35--and, of course, he owned it. The convex centers are evident on this piece from the uneven wear pattern seen in the centers, especially the center of the reverse. We see no trace of die rust on the reverse, indicating this is indeed an original striking. The surfaces are toned a deep gunmetal-gray and the only mark of any consequence is a small planchet flaw in the lower right reverse field. Listed on page 63 of the 2005 <I>Guide Book.</B></I>