The E-Sylum:  Volume 6, Number 54, December 21, 2003, Article 10

MEDALS DIES OF A PUBLIC CHARACTER

  While looking for other things in my ephemera collection I
  unearthed an October 1862 U.S. mint pricelist titled "List of
  Medal  Dies of a Public Character."  It lists size and price for
 70  bronze medals in seven subject categories.  (from the 19th
  Money Tree sale Lot 252  (March, 1994)).  I remembered
  Dick Johnson's recent query for information about the sale
  of medals, so I wrote to him asking if he'd like a copy, he
  replied: "Would I?  Yes!  This sounds like the first use of
  the word "List" in relation to the medals for sale at the
  Philadelphia Mint.  Isn't it interesting they call this "Dies"
  instead of just "Medals."   Does this not imply they had
  the dies on hand and would strike for anyone who wanted
  such a specimen?

  It is not only beneficial to know what  you have but also the
  significance of the item and its importance.   This sounds like
  it is important in the numismatic scheme of things. Your
  discovery is astounding."

  So off went a photocopy to Dick.   In addition to the 70
  bronze medals, The pricelist offers seven silver medals, and
  four in gold.  In addition to the medals, proof coins were
  offered as well:  "Set of silver and cent proof coins of the
  year 1862, $3.00"  A set of gold proof coins was $43.
  Payment for gold coins was to be made in gold coin;
  payment for silver, in gold or silver coin.

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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