1861 New York Free Academy Cromwell Medal. Gold. 35 mm. 20.0 grams. SP-60 (PCGS). Obv. Indian, sailor, Liberty and Justice support City and State shields. Rev. Winged Fame crowns kneeling youth with emblems of arts and sciences, scroll above is engraved <em>Cromwell Medal</em>. Scroll below is engraved to <em>William H. Roberts, 1861</em>. One of the nicest examples we have seen. The fields are boldly prooflike and rich orange toning highlights are on both sides. A bit of apparent light surface staining is in the reverse field, but it isn’t too distracting. The dies were by Salathiel Ellis and Joseph Willson who are best known for having been awarded the contracts to engrave and strike several issues of the Indian Peace Medals for the United States government. Their signature is against the rightmost rim of each die. The quality of their work is quite evident here. Also included with this medal is the original thermoplastic case (often mis-identified as gutta percha), as often seen associated with Civil War-era tintype photographs. The case is superbly preserved aside from a pair of small edge chips in the lower border of the cover. The hinges are tight and the plush interior of deep blue velvet where the medal would fit, and crimson velvet inside the lid, is fresh and clean.