70 MM Delaware Commemorative Medal In Silver

Nice to hear that you are putting together an exhibit of the Delaware half dollar; I wish you the best with it! I put together what sounds like a very similar exhibit for the coin and its related items a few years ago for the show hosted by my local coin club. I enjoyed putting it together.

The silver medal you reference is indeed quite tough to come across - just 75 were struck. After searching for a few years, I finally found one at a coin dealer in Sweden. I purchased the silver version of the Medallic Art Company medal plus a few other Delaware / New Sweden related items from him. At this point, my purchase was made about 10 or 11 years ago.

In the years that have transpired since, I do not recall seeing another example offered. I'm sure they are out there, but.

I've included images of my medal below for your reference. It's not a pristine example, but it shows only slight signs of "rub" on the high points of the sails and no major impairments.

A "bonus" feature of the piece is the fact that it appears to have been a presentation piece given out during the anniversary celebration. The edge of the medal is inscribed "Olof H Lamm June 27, 1938." Mr. Lamm was a long-time Swedish diplomat who served as the Consul General of Sweden in New York. It was his job to lead the regional efforts in promoting Sweden and its culture and to encourage tourism between the two countries.

My understanding is that other silver medals were also used as presentation pieces. This may account for the difficulty in finding them for sale - many are likely being held as family heirlooms.

Lamm traveled from Sweden to the US in June 1938 aboard the MS Kungsholm, the flagship of the Swedish American Line. He was part of the official Swedish delegation - including the Royals -- that sailed to the US to take part in the anniversary celebrations in Wilmington, DE at the site of the original Fort Christina settlement.

Hope this was of some help.

Commems, for the win.

Thanks for getting back to me Commems.

I have downloaded a copy of the your medal to my files. It will probably be for my private enjoyment, but if I ever write and article, I will need to contact you for permission.

I was born and raised in Delaware and grew up near Milton. I have not lived in the state since 1972 when I was promoted and took a job in New Jersery. I graduated from The University of Delaware in 1971.

I have a very nice example of the silver Swedish medal. As I posted elsewhere, I found it in a local auction in Massachusetts when I lived there. It came in a round box with name of the Swedish company that made it, "C.C. Sporrong & Co." on the lid. The piece is pristine as is the bronze piece that came with it in the same sale.

Beautiful.

Yup, you have to think long term. That $25 difference is probably not as significant today.

Here is the Swedish medal, that I posted earlier in silver, in bronze. It too came in a round box with the name of the maker on the lid. There was also a notation on the top of the box that this piece was purchased at the 1938 (actually should be 1939) New York World's Fair.

Super info Bill and commems!