LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Sept Long Beach Tokens & Medals Auction  / 

81008

Circa 1801 Emancipator of America, AU53 NGC

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:85.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
Circa 1801 Emancipator of America, AU53 NGC
<B>Circa 1801 Emancipator of America Medal, AU53 NGC. </B></I> Baker-83, low R.8. Bronze, plain edge, 44.21 mm, 52.74 gm. For decades, early American numismatic researchers have known of only two examples of the extremely rare Emancipator of America medal, which was struck circa 1801. Of the two pieces traced, one permanently resides in the Massachusetts Historical Society's numismatic collection and the other was sold in 2004 as part of the John J. Ford, Jr. sale. <I>The current piece represents a previously unreported example of Baker-83. </B></I>Purchased through a private transaction with a numismatic firm in London, this medal has been impounded in the same collection since 1957. Barring the recent emergence of this piece onto the numismatic landscape, acquisition of a Baker-83 would almost certainly have been an unrealistic expectation. Russell Rulau and George Fuld describe this issue in their <I>Medallic Portraits of Washington</B></I> (1999): <BR><I><BR>Bust right, I.W. on truncation. Around: GEORGE WASHINGTON OB: 14 DECR. 1799. AE: 68. Rv: Angel of Fame flies above olive and oak wreath, blowing her trumpet. Within wreath: EMANCIPATOR / OF / AMERICA. Plain edge. Only two known. (Appleton 55; in MHS coll.; ex-Garrett; PCAC Dec. 1989; Stack's Collins 89)<BR></B></I><BR> The plate coin in the Rulau/Fuld reference is the holed and gilt specimen that was sold on May 11, 2004, in the sale of the John J. Ford Collection by Stack's, where it realized $11,500. The present piece is likely the finest known, having About Uncirculated details and attractive surfaces. Both sides demonstrate exceptional dark-chocolate-brown coloration that are essentially devoid of distractions. The light highpoint wear that defines the grade is limited to Washington's hairline on the obverse and the soaring angel on the reverse. There are only a couple of stray contact marks, evidence of careful and loving preservation of this fascinating and historic piece for more than two centuries. It may be many years--or perhaps decades--before any example of this nearly unique medal will be offered again to the public. Enthusiasts of Washingtonia and early American medals are sure to experience spirited bidding with this lot.<BR> <BR><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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