John5123

The 20 plane variety pictured is an NGC MS64 and the 24 plane variety is an NGC MS66. In hand under a 5x there is a deterioration of the planes definition. The building looks the same in both. I just looked at Heritage Auctions history and there were 4 sold, all 20 plane variety. Two were graded MS66 (with die crack) , but the deterioration of the planes strike was as bad or worse than this picture. I guess that particular attribute is not a primary concern for the graders. The other two 20 plane medals at HA were MS63 (one with die crack one without). Both with weaker strik all around than the MS64 pictured here.

I am a collector of 1933-34 Century of Progress Exposition so-called dollars. General Italo Balbo of Italy made a fight of a squadron of 24 seaplanes from Rome to the Fair in Chicago. There was a so-called dollar sold at the Italian Pavilion commemorating the flight. It is listed in Hibler and Kaplans (HK) so-called dollar HK-471a. There were 24 planes in Balbo's squadron. HK identifies the medal with 20 planes and the picture shows a die crack from 1 o'clock to 3 o'clock about 5mm from the edge. However there is a variety with the full 24 planes (4 more at the 3 o'clock position ) and just the hint of the beginning of a die crack from 2 o'clock to 3 o'clock about 5mm from the edge. Does this sound like two varieties from two different dies, one with 20 planes and one with 24? Or, the same die that deteriorated over time (i.e. die crack grew and the last 4 planes wore down too much from strikes and were eventually polished out)? Seeking opinions.

Look on the ask NGC blog. Last two days posted replies to similar questions. They said as of yesterday December 9th they are opening mail received November 24th. That is consistent with the two week timeframe they have been running for awhile. They said in a separate reply that economy grading is running about 30 business days from day it is entered into the system as received.

Complements to NGC receiving on catching up. USPS delivery date 10/27/2020. Official NGC receiving date 10/30/2020. Keep up the good work. Glad to see the receiving has caught up.

Here is the web link to the info Condor101 referred to. http://www.chicagocoinclub.org/projects/PiN/ccc.html , It takes you through all the different medals issued. The only two medals I have seen at auction were two examples of the 1910 Aviation medal and numerous examples of the USS Nashville medal. An Aviation medal with a PCGS MS-64 went for $432 with buyers premium in March 2020 at Stacks & Bowers and an ungraded one which looked XF-45 AU50 went for $50 on ebay July 2020. Numerous ungraded examples of the 1910 USS Nashville medal went on heritage auction with buyers premium and eBay for between $50-$125. Your medal looks like it would grade out at MS-64 or better. You may want to have it graded by NGC. I am a medal collector and I have found that a graded medal from NGC or PCGS adds allot of value beyond the grading fee over an ungraded coin.

I am a medal collector, where dates are not certain on medals. Can somebody tell me the NGC description difference between for example: 1885, 1885-Dated, (1885)?

One more thing on the Saint Gaudens medal. I collect medals from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. There are several hundred different medals from that fair designed by either U.S. or European engravers. The year 1492 in roman numerals on these medals were routinely represented three different ways depending on the designer: MCCCCXCII (Most Common); MDCCCXCII, and; MCCCX(backwards C)II.

Some background on your Saint Gaudens medal. Saint-Gaudens, who served as an advisor for the Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition sculptural program, accepted the commission for the official award medal. He had completed his design for the medal by the time of the fair’s closing in November 1893. His design for the obverse met ready acceptance. It shows Columbus making landfall in the Americas. At the lower right are three male figures, one bearing an unfurling banner, and above them are the symbolic Pillars of Hercules with the three Spanish caravels and the inscription plvs vltra. His concept for the reverse, however—a nude male youth representing the Spirit of America—was deemed improper by United States Senate Quadro-Centennial Committee. Two variant designs with the figure’s genitals covered and a third with a wreath-encircled eagle and inscription were also rejected. In the end, Saint-Gaudens’s obverse was muled with a design for the reverse by Charles E. Barber, longtime chief engraver at the United States Mint. One of those original discarded medals with the nude boy on reverse sold several years ago at Stacks and Bowers auctions for $45,000. I am painfully aware because I was the losing underbid.The reverse of the final minted version features a central tablet with an inscription and a space for a drop-in die with the name of the recipient. The tablet is flanked by flaming torches symbolizing light or intelligence, and below it the Santa Maria appears at full sail. Above, two winged (and ironically bare-breasted) females hold symbolic attributes—a trumpet and laurel wreaths and a stylus and a blank tablet—that celebrate the award recipient. The hubs and dies for the medal were produced at the United States Mint in Philadelphia and farmed out for striking to the Scoville Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, Connecticut. The medal was finally awarded to recipients in 1896.

Thanks to all who have responded. Found something that works for me . A 10000 lux light therapy lamp that mimics sunlight. The designs jump off the surface in this light.

I am a collector of medals: World's columbian expo and Civil War Tokens. My problem is that I can see the detail on aluminum and white metal medals in my collection with no problem in any light. When it comes to my medals in BN and RB state, I need direct bright sunlight to see the details, which I only get in the mornings at my house. I need recommendations of what kind of lamps will give me a direct sunlight view any time of day. Any product suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks John

I recently purchased an 1893 M&D-2c Elongated 1892 Barber 10c. I did not realize it had been engraved on the reverse as a "Love Token" with the name Julia. If I submit this for grading, would it be classified as an M&D-2c with a details grade for the engraving, an M&D-2c with a grade, a Love Token with a grade, ...? Any help would be appreciated.