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Message:: [QUOTE="johnmilton, post: 26258266, member: 101855"]Many 19th century medals have the "mohogney finish," which is a rich attrative brown. Around the turn of the last century (early 1900s), the mint began to issue the "yellow bronze" finish which is not nearly as attractive. These pictures were taken through a slab, but this is the only medal I have in both formats. This piece has the 19th century finish. [ATTACH=full]1677302[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1677303[/ATTACH] These pieces are the modern, "yellow bronze" sand blased finish. [ATTACH=full]1677304[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1677305[/ATTACH] This John Paul Jones medal was struck circa 1845 with the "old finish." [ATTACH=full]1677306[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1677307[/ATTACH] This one was struck by the French Mint in "yellow bronze." This piece is perhaps 30 to 40 years old. [ATTACH=full]1677308[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1677309[/ATTACH] The 19th century medals can bring strong prices. The recent ones are usually worth a lot less. Some times "coin doctors" fool with the modern medals to make them look old. The new medals have a grainy surface; the old medals have a smooth "Mint state coin" or even "Proof" look.[/QUOTE]