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Rare Gold Alaska Token/Medal

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Exonumia - Tokens Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Rare Gold Alaska Token/Medal
Own a truly unique piece of Alaska. There will never be a Dethridge token / medal to surface again. In 1967 there were two sets of plastic “trade dollars” issued in Juneau and Anchorage. No value or much interest here. A lead version had been found leading to the thought that it was a prototype. But in 2011 a gold version appeared on the scene. And a few months later Kaye Dethridge noticed he had one that had come from the Howard Thew Collection.
This is the second gold token found, but the first one made. The Dethridge specimen, since it is less finished than the first gold token to surface, can be assumed to be a prototype, a way of testing methods for making the trade dollar in gold. The Dethridge specimen also does not exhibit any of the damage on the first gold specimen to surface. A look at the edge shows that this gold token was probably molded, with metal poured into the bottom mold (totem pole side with the reeding), with an overflow that would be pressed down with the Juneau side while still molten. This prevented strain on the molds, and allowed for the concave center. It resulted in a much thinker medal, with an upper edge that needed to be trimmed.
The weight is 2.345 troy ounces and the specific gravity is 15.14. This indicates a fineness of .750 or 18 karat. The specimen is a bit beat up around the edge of the obverse and has a line running between the ‘A’ and ‘T’ in ‘commemorative.’ Still it is a wonderful 18kt gold prototype specimen from our 49th state. You will not find a better valued or historical token from this era. There is no public sales record for this piece. The front features an Iditarod dog team and states 'Juneau Commemorative Dollar.One Dollar In Trade In Juneau Redeemable Through Oct.31,1967'.The back features a flag,mountains and a totem pole and states 'North To The Future.Alaska Centennial 1867 1967'City: JuneauCounty: JuneauState: AKDate: 1967