1826 Erie Canal Completion. Silver. 45 mm. HK-1000. Rarity-6. MS-61 (NGC). This smartly impressed, satin to semi-reflective example is lightly toned with pretty iridescent highlights around the borders. All design elements are at least sharply struck, and most are fully defined with crisp detail. The definition to the eagles plumage in the center of the reverse is particularly impressive. Wispy handling marks and faint hairlines explain the MS-61 grade from NGC, while a tiny planchet flaw in the right reverse field serve as a useful identifier. Most Erie Canal medals offered in todays market are in silver (HK-1000), as here, or white metal (HK-1), offered above. Rarer are the gold impressions from these dies (HK-1001), although we are also fortunate to be offering one of those in this sale. The three metallic compositions share the same obverse and reverse. With the exceedingly rare gold strikings beyond reach for most collectors, the silver Erie Canal Completion medals are one of the most eagerly sought early so-called dollars, classic rarities in their own right that have been coveted from the time of issue. From the Richard Jewell Collection.
