1865 Cornelius Vanderbilt National Gratitude Medal. By Salathiel Ellis and Emanuel Leutze. Julian PE-36. Gilt Copper. Mint State. 76.4 mm. Attractive antique gold patina with iridescent undertones of reddish-apricot, powder blue and champagne-pink. A few light spots are scattered about on the obverse, more sizeable spot on the reverse at the eagles breast. Catalogers around 1981 described this possibly unique piece as brass, although nearly all known examples of this type are bronzed copper. For this piece, some form of gilding seems more likely. From our (Coin Galleries) sale of July 2011, lot 15.
