Here is an update to this old thread. I have been following listings on
ebay and added my medals to come up with the following break down:
Home Insurance Company of New York
25 Years Service Medal
Sterling silver, 72.74 grams. (2.1632 oz ASW) 56.9 mm, plain edge stamped with "STERLING" and usually the makers name.
Obverse: company seal. Reverse: multi-line inscription, date and engraved name.
Type I; date (month-day-year) in raised letters and numbers.
Last line of inscription above date is "NEW YORK."
Reported dates; 1909.
Type II; date (month-day-year) in engraved letters and numbers.
Last line of inscription above date is "NEW YORK."
Reported dates; 1917, 1923, 1926, 1929, 1934, 1938,1947.
Type IIA; like type II but encased in heavy glass with a sterling silver band around the
outer edge. The band is marked "STERLING Henry & Co. Inc." The outer
edge of the medal in the glass does not appear to be marked.
Reported dates; 1941, 1947,
Type III; date (month-day-year) in engraved letters and numbers.
Last line of inscription above date is "FORMER AFFILIATES."
Reported dates; 1951, 1953.
Type IIIA; like type III but in glass with sterling silver band marked "STERLING". Date 1951
Type IV; date (month-day-year) in engraved letters and numbers.
Last line of inscription above date is "INSURANCE COMPANY."
Reported dates; 1957.
Type IVA; like type IV but in glass with sterling silver band marked "STERLING". Date Feb. 5, 1959.
Generally a die struck coin or medal will have a nice ring depending on size and the metal alloy provided that there are no planchet flaws. Cast pieces do not ring when tapped with a pencil. Type I has a nice ring while the Type II-IV medals do not. Specific gravity tests indicate that the medals are sterling and are therefore cast or made using powder metallurgy.
Posted 10/17/2014 4:44 pm
