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 Replies: 12 / Views: 3,735 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
655 Posts |
I pick up this medal some years ago at a church rummage sale. I think it's really handsome. I was wondering if anyone could tell me a little something about it. Thanks.   Edited by NJ Bob
06/08/2013 5:11 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3167 Posts |
Can't tell you anything about it, but I do like the high relief! Nice one! Hope someone can help you.  |
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Valued Member
United States
156 Posts |
This bronze medal is the product of S.D. Childs Manufacturing of Chicago, Illinois. Primarily a printing and engraving business established in the late 19th century. This medal celebrates the Centennial of Washington's Inauguration, and was provided as a souvenir at one of the many civic events that marked that milestone anniversary. This is cataloged in the 1999 4th edition of Rulau & Fuld's "Medallic Portraits of Washington"(Krause Publications). It is referenced by Rulau & Fuld to the Susan Douglas number 46 (as presented in her 1949 work "The George Washington Medals of 1889"). In the 1999 Rulau & Fuld work, this medal was valued at $145 in Uncirculated condition.
You may want to consider having this medal treated by a professional conservation service, such as Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.
Edited by judd1552
06/08/2013 11:23 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
655 Posts |
judd, thank you very much for the input. The medal is in very nice condition. I have to admit that I did not know that medals were judged based on circulated/uncirculated condition. (Live and learn) I appreciate your suggestion that I have it conserved but medals are not really my passion and I would rather pass it on to someone that would value it more than me. I do have another similar medal I picked up at the same time that isn't in quite as nice condition but may actually be more interesting. It's an aluminum 1889 Washington Centennial the same size as the bronze (about 36mm). Would you be able to help me with this one?   Edited by NJ Bob
06/09/2013 1:50 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
652 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
655 Posts |
Thanks mackwork, I'm always amazed at the depth of knowledge here at CCF.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
652 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
156 Posts |
NJ Bob, your 2nd 1889 medal is also cataloged in the Rulau/Fuld book, listed as Douglas 51, white metal(not aluminum), 37 mm. A slightly different version of Douglas 51B has the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM on the reverse in place of CHICAGO COMMEMORATION. And 3 other varieties of this also exist.
Edited by judd1552
06/11/2013 7:52 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
655 Posts |
Quote:
white metal(not aluminum) What is "white metal"? It feels very light and appears that it might be aluminum but perhaps it's some sort of zinc alloy. |
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Valued Member
United States
156 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
Really nice medals!  If the first one was mine I would at the very least give it a quick dip in acetone to halt the vergis. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
655 Posts |
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If the first one was mine I would at the very least give it a quick dip in acetone That's a good idea. I'll do it over the weekend. How about the "white metal" medal, how will it react to acetone? |
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Valued Member
United States
156 Posts |
A solvent such as acetone will not be of any benefit to the white metal unless you believe that there is some accumulation of organic matter on the surface. It appears that this medal has been environmentally damaged with what is referred to as tinpest, which is just vernacular for corrosion. Nothing short of an abrasive application will remove the corrosion, but the surfaces are already permanently altered. I've pondered the possible effect of exposing a damaged medal like this to a glass bead blaster under low pressure, but have not experimented as such yet...
Edited by judd1552
06/14/2013 8:32 pm
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Replies: 12 / Views: 3,735 |
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Posted 06/08/2013 11:16 pm
