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1867 Cyrus W. Field Congressional Gold Medal. Julian PE-10. MS62 NGC. ...
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Description
1867 Cyrus W. Field
Congressional Gold Award
Julian PE-10, MS62, Impressive 27-Ounce Medal
1867 Cyrus W. Field Congressional Gold Medal. Julian PE-10. MS62
NGC. Gold, 102.2 mm. 847.5 grams. The edge of this spectacular
medal is 9.5 mm. thick from rim to rim. The specific gravity
suggests that this gold medal is .900 fine, with a net of just
under 25 troy ounces of gold. While the Congressional resolution
was approved in 1867, this medal was struck in 1868 per the NGC
(1868) notation.Cyrus West Field (1819-1892) was an American businessman who met with success laying the first transatlantic cable. He was a founder of the New York, Newfoundland, and London Telegraph Company in 1854. The first cable was placed into use on August 16, 1858 but was short-lived, breaking apart three weeks later. After multiple failed attempts, he met with success in 1866, to acclamation in America and in Europe. Field received the Congressional gold medal for his work.
Julian reports that two gold medals were produced. The first one was misplaced and a second medal was struck for Field. Afterward, the first medal was located and Field purchased that medal for its gold content. Joseph Goldborough Bruff, supervising architect of the Treasury department, prepared the designs, and William Barber created the dies for this medal that is jointly signed J.G. BRUFF D. and BARBER F. Julian reports that the first medal contained 26.79 ounces of fine gold, suggesting that this medal was the second one produced (the weight is slightly different), and is the medal initially presented to Field. Examples from these dies were also produced in aluminum and bronze.
While slightly hazy, this impressive medal has brilliant lemon-yellow surfaces with fully mirrored fields and excellent cameo contrast. A glass reveals faint hairlines that fail to diminish the extraordinary eye appeal. Prior to certification, a trivial rim bruise was observed at 6:30 on the obverse that is virtually invisible in the holder. All of the design elements are boldly defined. Despite the relatively soft gold medal, the mere size of this piece, the sharpness of the detail, and the high relief suggests that a powerful press was used, likely requiring several blows toward a successful production. The quality of workmanship is obvious at a mere glance.
Please refer to the Medals and Tokens section of the Signature sale for an example of this medal in bronze.
From The Alan V. Weinberg Collection, Part IV.
Learn more at the Newman Numismatic Portal at Washington University in St. Louis.
View all of [The Alan V. Weinberg Collection, Part IV ]
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