1832 Philadelphia Civic Procession Medal. Original. Musante GW-130

1832 Philadelphia Civic Procession Medal. Original. Musante GW-130, Baker-160. Silver. AU Details--Tooled (PCGS). 37.14 mm. Medallic alignment. A handsome unpierced specimen of this historic issue. Generous medium pewter and olive-gray on both sides, with intermingled cobalt blue and antique gold iridescence that shines forth nicely as the surfaces dip into a light. Slightly prooflike in the fields, and boldly defined with just a touch of rub to the central obverse high point. Scattered handling marks in the fields on both sides include some faint scratches at left obverse and reverse that explain our qualifier. The medals of the Gold and Silver Artificers are the best known of the 1832 memorial medals, as they are the most commonly seen. This is due to a large number of restrikes taken from the dies in the late 1850s, making the design seem unfairly ubiquitous. However, a silver original, as offered here, has always been something desired above and beyond the rest. It is rare and its specific purpose holds a degree of mystery. The originals in white metal were struck during the parade and tossed to spectators along the route, but silver ones would have been struck under more controlled circumstances and presumably designated for a select group. They may have been carried or worn by those operating the float, or gifted to the 13 marshals of the event, or both. This is but speculation, but we know that silver originals are rare, and they certainly had some distinctive purpose in February 1832. According to a notice in The United States Gazette, June 2, 1832, those responsible for the disposition of the banner and dies used by the Artificers had "deposited them in the Hall of the Franklin Institute for safe keeping." Provenance: Ex Stanley Scott Collection, June 1975; our August 2024 Global Showcase Auction, lot 4055. Click here for certification details from PCGS. Image with the PCGS TrueView logo is obtained from and is subject to a license agreement with Collectors Universe, Inc. and its divisions PCGS and PSA.

Estimate:£0.74

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