Bas-Relief Bronze Galvano of James Earle Frasers Reverse Design for the 1913 Buffalo Nickel. Believed Unique. 101 mm inner diameter, with an approximately 25 mm border, irregular. Approximately 4 mm thick at greatest point. 247.17 grams. An exciting offering for advanced Buffalo nickel enthusiasts, this is the first galvano of either the obverse or reverse of James Earle Frasers iconic design that we have ever handled. It is believed unique, and similar in dimensions and execution to the bas-relief bronze cast of Hermon A. MacNeils approved obverse design for the 1916 Standing Liberty quarter that was offered in our March 2013 Baltimore Auction (lot 2042).<p>Writing in the 2007 reference <em>Renaissance of American Coinage 1909-1915</em>, numismatic researcher Roger W. Burdette sets the stage for our evaluation of this special piece when we writes:<p><em>When compared to all coin designs in the 1907-1921 period for the U.S. Mint, Frasers nickel is closer to the artists original concept than any other. This can be attributed in part to the sculptors careful preparation of preliminary models, yet much of this success was due to Frasers assertiveness in insisting on the fundamental validity of his designs...Lastly success of the Buffalo nickel could also be attributed to use of a private firm - Medallic Art Company - to produce all except the last reductions and hubs from the artists designs. By avoiding use of the mints Janvier reducing lathe and the inadequately trained mint staff, Fraser retained maximum supervisory control over this critical production step. Although Barber cut the last pair of hubs used to make production dies, Fraser and Medallic Art had set the standard for quality and Barber had no latitude to tinker with the design.</em><p>Indeed, the design on this galvano is very similar to that of the final version that the Mint used for coinage of the Type I Buffalo nickels in 1913 - so similar that the casual observer might believe they are identical. The similarity poses challenges for the researcher, as well, for when taken in conjunction with Burdettes comments on the closeness between Frasers original concept and the final coin design, it is difficult to place the design of this galvano on the production timeline. A possible clue is provided on page 193 of Burdettes reference, however, where a model that the author tentatively dates to November 1912 or February 1913 has the bisons forelegs on higher ground than the back legs. This galvano incorporates the same design feature.<p>Two additional reverse designs attributed to 1912 are pictured on pp. 232-233 in the Burdette reference - this galvano more closely resembles the second one. The bisons left foreleg is less finely detailed than on some earlier versions of Frasers work, and both the head and tail are very close to the rim. The field is finely textured to suggest prairie grass, a feature praised for its rusticity and mimicked in the fine texturing on the earliest Buffalo nickels struck by the Mint. The presence of the artists signature FRASER prominently at the lower border below the denomination FIVE CENTS, not seen on either the final coin design or any of the models or patterns pictured in Burdette, suggests that this galvano was made for evaluation by the artist, Medallic Art Company and/or others involved in the design process and not for production of dies.<p>Likely dating to 1912, this piece is certainly a product of the era given its aforementioned similarities to the Standing Liberty quarter cast offered in our March 2013 sale. While the Standing Liberty quarter cast was plated with nickel or similar metal, this piece received no such treatment. The bronze is richly toned in a mix of antique gold, olive and steel hues, the back with an overall reddish cast and areas of raised roughness, as made. Faint outlines of the design are discernible with patience on the latter side. Some roughness and other irregularities around the edge are also as made, with no readily evident post-production blemishes. The design is in medium relief, fully appreciable and highly attractive with a rustic appearance.<p>This historic piece is not only likely unique - if not in an absolute sense than certainly in any private collection - but it is one of only a very few original casts or galvanos of coin designs available to collectors. We anticipate keen bidder interest and strong competition among advanced Buffalo nickel collectors, pattern enthusiasts, and art aficionados.
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