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Diplomatic Courier Service Gold Medal

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New Member

United States
4 Posts
 Posted 07/25/2012  10:32 pm Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add courier to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
First day of issue envelope containing first day of issue gold medal:
Medal:
Face of coin reads "Diplomatic Courier Service" with an olive branch or flourish around the circumference. There is an eagle in flight occupying the center, both wings fully outstretched upwards, flanked by the years 1918 and 1968.
Reverse side of coin reads "United States of America" within the circumference. The center contains an inscription "None is swifter than these..." with a sheath of some sort above and crossed olive branches or fronds below. "P" is stamped just below and between the stems of these fronds.
Envelope:
First day of issue across a 15-cent US stamp: XX Olympic Summer Games Munich 1972. Nickel-sized postal stamp "Washington. DC Aug 17 1972." Upper left front envelope printed in brown ink: United States Diplomatic Courier Service /Commemorative Medal ~50th Anniversary / First Day of Issue / Gold Medal
Below the coin are 4 Greek words both preceded and followed by ellipses. A Greek name follows as if attributing the preceding quote.
Finally, the very bottom, left of envelope: Official first day cover sponsored by the U.S. Diplomatic Courier Association.
Reverse side of envelope a more elaborate "postal-style" stamp over the flap and envelope body: U.S. Diplomatic Courier Association (top circumference), Washington, D.C. (bottom); inner circumference (circle) containing "Commemorative / Medal / Aug 17 1972 / First Day / Of Issue."

Item is contained in a heavy, protective plastic sleeve.

I have found no information or literature as yet. I do find it interesting that the philatelic recognition trails the actual 50th anniversary by 4 years.
CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
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commems's Avatar
United States
12283 Posts
 Posted 07/26/2012  10:37 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add commems to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Here's a bit more information on the Diplomatic Courier Service medals that you may find helpful/useful.

The US Mint struck silver and bronze medals for the Diplomatic Courier Service (DCS) to help mark its golden anniversary in 1968; the medals (not coins) are part of a series of medals that are classified as "national commemorative medals." There were 1,000 silver and 4,000 bronze pieces struck. The Mint also struck a large 3.0-inch bronze medal of the same design (but higher relief) and sold it for a time as List Medal #658; the smaller medals were sold/distributed by the DCS not the Mint.

An unknown number of the bronze medals were later gold-plated and put in the stamped envelope you've described; I would estimate that 500 or fewer covers were made from the original supply of 4,000 bronze medals.

Even though the cover includes the text "gold medal" it does not contain a solid gold medal, it includes a gold-plated bronze medal. Just wanted to make sure you understood what you have.

If you can, post an image. Otherwise, I can dig one of mine out and post an image so folks can see what you're describing.


Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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United States
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 Posted 07/27/2012  2:37 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add courier to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Thank you commems. I will attempt to photograph and post this weekend. Your entry was extremely kind and informative.
New Member
United States
4 Posts
 Posted 07/28/2012  3:42 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add courier to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Images for the Courier Service Commemorative

Diplomatic-Courier-Service-Gold-Medal

Diplomatic-Courier-Service-Gold-Medal

Diplomatic-Courier-Service-Gold-Medal
CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
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commems's Avatar
United States
12283 Posts
 Posted 08/02/2012  09:11 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add commems to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Thanks for posting the pictures. Your cover appears to be in great shape!

Also, I don't believe the '1972' date is a special anniversary for the Diplomatic Courier Service. I think the cover was issued in conjunction with the release of the 1972 US Olympics stamps -- 17 August 1972 was the first day of issue for these stamps -- hence the 'Gold Medal' note on the First Day Cover.



Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
Edited by commems
08/02/2012 09:19 am
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