I've posted about the Idaho Territorial Centennial Commission's efforts to secure a commemorative medal struck by the US Mint. You can check it out here:
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What If? 1963 Idaho Territorial CentennialNote: The above-linked post also includes a brief historical account of Idaho as a US Territory.The Idaho Historical Society (IHS) oversaw the project of commissioning a commemorative medal for Idaho's 1963 Territorial Centennial; the IHS was also responsible for sales and distribution of th e medal.
The obverse of the medal depicts two prospectors panning for gold in an Idaho stream/river with mountains in the background. The medal's reverse presents the first Seal of the Idaho Territory. Depicted is a Bald Eagle perched atop a shield which depicts a ox-drawn Conestoga wagon being led by a cowboy on horseback - they are heading west, with the sun shown setting behind a mountain range. The shield features a ribbon with "THE UNION" on it with a plow and grain sheaf below it; the ribbon's inscription makes it clear which side of the Civil War Idaho supported. The inscription "SEAL OF THE TERRITORY OF IDAHO" encircles the central design elements. The original Seal design is credited to Silas D. Cochran, a clerk in the office of the Idaho Secretary of State at the time.
The medal was designed/sculpted by German-born and educated Carl Schmitz, a freelance artist in New York City; he came to the United States in 1923. If the name sounds familiar, it might be because he was the artist whose design was selected for the 1936 (1938) Delaware Tercentenary Half Dollar. Schmitz was born in 1900 and died in 1967.
The high-relief medal was available in silver (1-3/4" diameter) and bronze (2-1/2" diameter). The silver medal was reported as having a mintage of 5,000 with the mintage for the bronze piece being listed as "unlimited." I would estimate a final mintage for the bronze piece as between 10,000 and 15,000 based on market availability. Each silver medal carries a serial number on its edge, as well as "1,5 troy ounces pure Idaho silver .999 fine". The silver medals were issued at $12.50 per medal, while the bronze medals were sold at $3.50 each.
The IHS arranged for in-state sales via local banks, and handled mail orders on its own. They were also available through select dealers.
An interesting aspect of the medal: the silver used in the silver medals struck was Idaho-sourced silver - Idaho is major producer of silver in the US.
My bronze and silver medals are nice "As Struck" (i.e., Uncirculated) examples.
Idaho Territorial Centennial Medal - Bronze
For other of my topics on commemorative coins and medals, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 05/12/2023 3:41 pm
