1914 Commercial Tercentenary of New York Presentation Medal. Silver. 77.4 mm. 185.9 grams. Choice Very Fine. Obv: Dutch merchants purchasing Manhattan from Native Americans for a trunk of beads. Rev: Modern Manhattan skyline, five shields, plaque at top inscribed ADMIRAL ROBERT E. PEARY / PARTICIPATING GUEST. Signed TIFFANY & CO. along the lower right reverse border. Edge: Inscribed FINE SILVER / M. Attractive dark pearl gray patina, even deeper tones highlighting the legends and devices. Just a light touch of wear and a few minor marks appropriate to the grade are noted. Admiral Peary was a national hero at the time, who, after trying seven previous times, claimed to be the first person to reach the North Pole. Today this claim is disputed, but at the time finally reaching what was thought to be one of the last significant areas of the earth to be discovered was a remarkable accomplishment. From the Richard Jewell Collection.
