1898 City of Albany Medal in Recognition of Service in the Spanish-American War. Gold. 38 mm. 30.6 grams. SP-64 (PCGS). Obv. A variation on the Arms of the City of Albany, with the same central motifs, but in place of the usual supporters, there are palm trees. PRESENTED BY THE CITY OF ALBANY NEW YORK, around. Rev. eight-line legend at center, IN / RECOGNITION OF / HONORABLE SERVICE / RENDERED IN THE WAR / BETWEEN THE / UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / AND SPAIN / 1898, with wreath around and bundled arrows below. Beautifully preserved with deeply prooflike fields and satiny devices. Just a few faint hairlines are noted. We do not recall having seen this medal in recent years and none appear in any composition in our online archives, though we are aware of them in bronze, with presentation inscriptions on the edge. Scarce in any metal and clearly very rare in gold. A long die crack from the rim through all letters PRESENTED BY T, might have something to do with that. This one does not have any edge inscription and might well be unique.
