1882 Great Seal Centennial Medal. By Charles E. Barber. Julian CM-20. Bronze. Specimen-65 BN (PGCS). 62 mm. A richly original deep brown and olive-copper example with mildly granular surfaces, as made. The strike is fully executed and all features are sharp. Free of detracting blemishes, as the coveted Gem grade from PCGS would suggest. Medals of this type were struck in recognition of the centennial of the adoption of the Great Seal of the United States in 1782. Though the mint director at the time was against the idea of this piece being created, Superintendent Snowden obtained approval from the secretary of the Treasury and the project moved forward rapidly. The dies were cut by Charles Barber in 1882, and the medals were available to the public by early September of the same year. One silver and 45 bronze were reported struck in 1882, with additional pieces to fill orders in later years. The earliest pieces have smooth prooflike fields; it is unclear when examples with the granular finish seen here were actually made, although striking periods in the late 19th and/or early 20th century are likely. All are rare. From the Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation.
