1839 American Institute Award Medal. The Swain Medal. Silver. 51 mm. 60.9 grams. Harkness Ny-30. Awarded to George Williams. About Uncirculated, Cleaned.The central reverse engraved AWARDED TO / GEO WILLIAMS / FOR THE 2ND BEST BULL / SIR JOHN. / 1839. The American Institute held yearly meetings in New York City and awarded medals and certificates for various products and services. It promoted industry. Awardees often added images of the medals to their advertisements. No listing has ever been compiled of the various events and awardees. In the 1850s the annual exhibitions were held in the Crystal Palace, which burned on October 5, 1858, destroying many products on view.From the Q. David Bowers Collection.
