A few months ago I bought this medal because I was interested in the design. The dealer I bought it off of said that it was made out of silver. So when I got home I started to do some research on it. I contacted one of the guys who runs the Franklin Mint's web site and he told me that this was a widely used pattern and that many private mints used this to make their own medals. Franklin Mint used this pattern to make a proof version. They also did one in Pewter. I have also found out that this design was used to make medals out of bronze, pewter, antique bronze and antique silver. I am assuming that one would call this antique silver, but I am unsure. My local coin shop guy who I bought this from keeps telling me that he will look it up, but every time I go in there, he is always busy. So my question to the gang is can anyone show me proof that this is silver? A web page would be great. A reference book would be fine too. Something where I can confirm that this is silver and not pewter. It weights 28grams. It has reeded edges. The dealer told me that it was made out of .925 silver and has a total silver weight of 0.8327oz. This is all I know. Thanks.
If it is approximately the size of a silver dollar the weight sounds good for sterling, and waaaaaaaay too heavy to be pewter which is usually 85+% tin.
Joe if it is Sterling , ship it right over to my house , we all know you like gold better . LOL rzage
Joe it sure don't "look" like silver. But that could be due to the alloy. But as said, specific gravity will tell the tale.
Check all the way around the edge. Usually the silver versions will be marked somewhere, often on the edge.
agreed, looks like pewter. here is one in bronze (not that you asked, just FYI): http://cgi.ebay.com.my/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310156668752 This guy has it, says silver metal. He says: "Struck by Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut." http://www.coins-n-medals.com/Sales/Medals/medals.html
Hey thanks so much gang. You have all been a tremendous help. I contacted the Medallic Art Company who then gave me the name and number of an antique dealer who apparently is a consultant for them. They said that most likely he could answer my questions. I have left him a message and am waiting to hear back from him. As soon as I do, I will share the results. And Condor, there is nothing around the rim denoting a company or metal content. When I contacted the Franklin mint, the guy I spoke with said that this is a way to distinguish their work from other companies because they put their info around the rim. If it is not there then most likely it is not from the Franklin Mint.
I would have taken the easiest way first. Go on line and try Google the Virginia Bicentennial token or coin. If that didn't work, try contacting someone in the State Capital of Virginia and asking them. I suppose that Virginia does have a Capital. If all that fails, just post that question here. OPPPS, you did.
