1853 New York Crystal Palace Medal. By Alexander C. Morin and Anthony Paquet. Musante GW-191, Baker-361A. Bronze. MS-63 BN (NGC). 52 mm. Reflective fields and frosty motifs are awash in richly original chocolate-brown patina. The strike is sharp, and both sides exhibit plenty of good gloss. Faint hairlines are noted for accuracy, but there are no significant signs of handling. This medal is truly rare in all compositions, although silver examples are very rare and considered the most prized. Our electronic archives include only four examples in bronze over the past 15 years (and a lone example in white metal). The last bronze example brought just over $2,600 in November 2019 sale of the William Spohn Baker Collection. Reported in 1864 to be one of 35 struck, but we suspect that this number likely included examples of all three compositions, as the rarity today does not support the original distribution of more than 100 Crystal Palace medals. From Heritages sale of the Rev. Dr. James G. K. McClure Collection, June 2016 Long Beach Signature Auction, lot 98033.
