i picked up this metal about 25 years ago. I can't remember where exactly but most likely a flea market. I'm sure this is a restrike. Has anyone owned an original specimen?
You mean like this one? OK, it's not mine, but I did get to play with it. Owned by Robert Patterson, Mint Director from 1835-51.
That's cool. Does this one have the edge lettering "The Very First". You can also see the overdate. It was dated Feb 22, 1836 then the start of coinage was moved back to Mar 23, 1836.
I can't remember if it had the edge lettering on it. For some reason that sounds familiar, but I think I would have photographed the edge had it been there. I'll have to ask the person that had me shoot it. Overdate is loud and clear (A/E, 3/2 most obvious).
Here is a link to an article on this metal and a photo of the edge lettering. To most large cent collectors, this was the end of the collectible variations and the start of modern coinage. http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v17n33a19.html
OK, that's why it sounds familiar. I didn't get to play with this one, as I took the photos of the others in 2012 and this wasn't available at the time.
I was reading and researching this metal when I came across an example that is clearly circulated. The weird part is that it is dated Feb 22, 1836. That was the original date that was moved to Mar 23. I wonder if they tested this die out before the official coinage.
They did make a few dated Feb. 22, and they're rare. Heritage has a whopping one (1) in their archive, and it just sold last week for $1292.
I'm sorry about that. I didn't realize that I was misspelling medal. Yes it is a medal or medallion. Thank you for pointing this out.
