1859 James Ross Snowden 19th Century US Mint - Julian MT-3 - UNIQUE Gilt-Copper
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1859 James Ross Snowden US Mint Medal Original 19th Century Strike Julian MT-3 UNIQUE unlisted in Gilt-Copper! 1859 US Mint medal for Director of the US Mint James Ross Snowden, listed by Julian as MT-3. This is an original 19th century strike, evidenced by the telltale high wire rims and the die-break on the reverse at 11:30. This huge 78.6 mm diameter medal weighs a whopping 286.98 grams. The medal is 9.5 mm thick in part due to the high wire rims. The composition is copper, with a specific gravity of 8.84. The medal passes the important "ring" test indicating it is a struck medal - and it rings like a bell when the rim is tapped. This medal is unlisted in gilt-copper, though Richard Hartzog lists a single example in gilt-silver ( 1986 Price Guide for Medals of the United States Mint) - which could very well be this example, mistaken for being of silver composition due to the gilding. The medal is notably fire-gilt, with evidence on the surfaces of the heat used in the process of fire-gilding. The gilding has worn off and deteriorated over the years as seen in the images. Snowden refused the presentation of a silver medal of this design, asking instead for a copper strike. Could this be that medal, fire-gilt to once give it the appearance of a solid gold metal? The striking pressure necessary to strike this huge medal
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