1875 Mecklenburg Centennial Medal. By William Barber. Julian CM-28, Swoger-2a. Silver. About Uncirculated.30.5 mm. 12.49 grams. Very nearly in the Mint State category, only the lightest evidence of friction in the expansive reverse field explains our About Uncirculated grade. The eye appeal is outstanding; both sides are richly original in preservation with intermingled olive, reddish-russet and golden-apricot iridescence on dominant pearl gray patina. Sharply defined overall with much of the semi-reflective finish evident under a light. Only 1,005 (1,010, per Swoger, 2008) examples of this type were struck in silver; R.W. Julian (1977) states that the Mint used regular half dollar planchets for this issue. Survivors are scarce in an absolute sense and rare in the finer grades, as here. Indeed, this is the nicest silver Mecklenburg Centennial medal that we have handled in recent memory, and it is sure to see spirited bidding among specialists.
