1904 New York Historical Society Centennial Medal. Gold. 64 mm. 211.52 grams. 87.8% gold content. 5.97 oz. AGW. By Victor David Brenner. Smedley-60. MS-62 (NGC).The obverse of this medal features jugate busts of society founder John Pintard and first president Egbert Benson, each facing 1/2 left, the artists signature V.D. BRENNER prominent at the lower right on Bensons sleeve. On the reverse are pictured the original and the then new headquarters buildings, with society seal below, the peripheral legends are on an elevated band as with several of Brenners medals of the period. This medal is mentioned in the 1905 publication The New York Historical Society, 1804-1904 as having been struck in silver and bronze, but not gold. The Proceedings of the American Numismatic Society for 1906, however, report that ANS President Archer Huntington donated to the ANS …the medal struck by the New York Historical Society, commemorating its centennial and bearing the bust of John Pintard, its founder, in gold, of which but two specimens were struck. The ANS database does not list an example in gold, though there is one called rolled gold in the online database of the New York Historical Society that is in actuality a gilt bronze example.An example in gold appeared in PCACs 1991 Auction, lot 345, where it is helpfully reported that according to the records of the Society, the Gorham Manufacturing Company struck 4 medals in Gold, 70 in Silver and 312 in Bronze. Gold medals were presented to R.H. Kelby, Library of the Society, and to Henry Dexter, a patron of the Society. Two additional Gold medals were purchased by Arthur M. Huntington and S.V. Hoffman at a cost of $180.00 each. The subscription price of the Silver medals was $10.00 each and $3.00 or $5.00 for the Bronze, depending upon quantity ordered. It is not clear that Huntington was only partially correct with his report of two specimens struck, but it is not clear which of the 3 other specimens is offered here, as this was most probably given to Charles Lanier by one of the recipients or purchasers of a gold medal.Edge inscribed CHARLES LANIER, ELECTED LIFE MEMBER, 1856, followed by 7 stars in the formation of the Big Dipper, with a single star more distant, undoubtedly Polaris or the North Star, though not oriented in an astronomically correct arrangement due to the size limitations of the edge; the significance of the constellation to Mr. Lanier is today obscure (to view images of the edge, please visit this lot online at www.stacksbowers.com). Charles Lanier (1837-1926) was an American banker, railroad executive and close friend of John Pierpont Morgan. His friendship with Morgan probably explains the JP Morgan ANS Plaque in Tiffany frame also in this auction and part of the same consignment as this gold medal. He was a Fellow of the New York Historical Society, having joined the Society at the ripe old age of 19, and subscribed $1000 to the building of the Societys new building featured on the reverse of the medal. Why Mr. Lanier, among many NYHS members, merited one of only two 6-ounce gold medals produced is today not known. The works of this medals sculptor, Victor David Brenner, are popularly collected, and known the world around, as it is his rendition of Lincoln that appears on the Lincoln cent that has been struck to the tune of many hundreds of billions. His medallic works are widely varied and available chiefly in silver and bronze-when found in gold, they are generally award medals, such as those for the National Academy of Design, which were intended to be in gold. His commemorative medals, when rendered in gold, are extremely rare. Brenners numismatic contributions are obvious, but those of the New York Historical Society founder, New York merchant and philanthropist John Pintard are less so. They begin with his investment in the voyage of the Columbia and Washington to the Pacific Northwest that is attested to on the reverse of the 1787 Columbia and Washington medal, continue with his designs for the Tammany Societys badges in 1789, include his family connection with third director of the US Mint Elias Boudinot, and culminate in the New York Historical Societys collection, which included coins from its earliest days. The full story of unsung early numismatist John Pintard begs to be told. Here is an amazing and extremely rare medal that weaves a story as rich as the gold it contains.From the Collection of Duncan Denny, 1927-2018. A Report of Analysis from NGC states a composition of 87.8% gold, 11.4% silver, and 0.6% copper. A copy of the report accompanies the medal.
