I think me meant (any) dies from the US Mint that had not been defaced prior to reaching private hands. At least that is how I read it.
That is an amazing die! What a great part of history. As another member has stated, I too think it should be placed in a museum. Good luck, whatever you do. I think you will be happy with the results.
Thanks for all your inputs. I have been talking to a few Coin Museums in the US. A guy from the American Numismatic Association said "To my knowledge, there is no available information on the disposition of the dies. With such a relatively small production run, it seems unlikely to me that more than one die pair would have been required for the minting of the medals produced. Which means that if it is genuine, yours might well be the only surviving obverse die". So, ive heard different stories about it. I would like to find someone that actually specializes in US Mint Dies. Thanks all..
Have you checked with Fred Weinberg yet at edited ? He was a wealth of knowledge about the minting process, probably more then the average mint employee does (LOL).
That is an amazing piece to have. I understand why it has such a sentimental value to the OP. Other than it been rare, it was given by his father. Congratulations on having such a great piece of history in your possession.
How about that! 'Wilson Dollar' medal obverse die surfaces WWII soldier's family reveals wartime souvenir Article first published in 2012-02-13, U.S. Collectibles section of Coin World
:smileCool bit forgotten history.I am sure there more item out picked up in WWI and WWII and forgotten.also thing taken home from Vietnam and all the other places US troop have been. but what I wonder will this be reclaimed by US Mint??? like 1933???
I'm a fan of the Wilson Dollar - I have several in bronze and a rather nice one in silver: http://mycoins.co/1920-wilson-dollar-silver-so-called-dollar-hk-449 I'd like to know where the 5 gold dollars ended up - last I heard, only 3 were accounted for.
Wow I bet the coin world article is only going to increase interest in this at auction. But I've been wrong before. Good luck! Are you thinking of selling it or were you just looking for appraisals?