LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 Feb Long Beach, CA Tokens & Medals #462  / 

81087

90-mm Maj. Gen. Zachary Taylor Medal, MS62 NGC

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:275.00 USD Estimated At:640.00 - 960.00 USD
90-mm Maj. Gen. Zachary Taylor Medal, MS62 NGC
<B>Oversized Major General Zachary Taylor Medal, Julian-MI-24, MS62 NGC.</B></I> Bronzed copper, 90 mm, 318.5 gm. Dies by C.C. Wright. Obverse bust right, MAJOR GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR around, intertwined branches of oak and laurel beneath, RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS MAY 9, 1848, C.C. WRIGHT F. beneath bust, S.ELLIS DEL. at lower rim. Reverse ornate battle scene in center, two snakes forming a cartouche above sprays of cactus and oak, BUENA VISTA FEB. 22 & 23,1847. above, F.A. SMITH DEL. at lower left, C.C. WRIGHT SCULP. at lower right. Julian relates in <I>Medals of the United States Mint: The First Century 1792-1892</B></I> that "with a number of strong attacks being made in national newspapers over the poor quality of the first two Taylor medals, plans were made to have the dies done outside the mint. C.C. Wright was contacted and agreed to do the Taylor dies ... . <BR> "... The large size of the dies required very careful hardening techniques but Chief Coiner Franklin Peale managed everything quickly. The original Taylor medal, made from pure California gold, was struck on July 4, 1849. Wright was paid $600 for the obverse and $1000 for the reverse, certainly a bargain in view of the high quality of the work."<BR> A close examination of the reverse, a classic of the miniaturist's art, will reveal more than 50 horses individually sculpted, several with riders mounting, a trumpeter, flag bearer, dozens--perhaps hundreds--of individual cavalrymen, six cannons belching smoke, along with a mountainous scene in the background. Certainly Wright's engraving is not only elaborate, it is also thrilling in its realism, balance, and artistry.<BR> This stunning mahogany-brown piece offers lustrous surfaces with light carbon present on each side that fails to dampen the viewer's enthusiasm, and considerable prooflikeness is present. Accompanied by an NGC Photo Certificate. <BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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