Posted 08/14/2012 5:48 pm
The pieces shown are, in fact, medals struck by the US Mint; they are not tokens. They are part of a series of medals termed ‘National Commemorative Medals.' The Alabama Sesquicentennial medals were struck in silver (0.900 fine) and bronze pursuant to Public Law 90-600.
A total of 2,500 silver and 10,000 bronze medals were struck. PL 90-600 authorized up to 5,000 silver medals and 50,000 bronze medals, but not all were ordered by the sponsor -- the Alabama Sesquicentennial Commission.
The silver medals have a serial number of their edge. If you open the case of your medals, you should find that the silver medal's number and the number of the holder match. (One of my sets is numbered 1364.) The two-piece sets shown were one of the options available to collectors at the time; medals were also available individually.
The definition of "so-called dollar" includes multiple criteria, but two of the key points are a piece made of metal and of a size between 33 mm and 45 mm. As these silver and bronze medals are 33 mm in diameter, they can correctly be called so-called dollars. (The 100+ brass ‘Good For' tokens that are listed on ebay in the So-Called Dollars section at any given time, however, are most definitely not.)
In case you were wondering, the silver medal has a little over one-half ounce of silver in it.
Hope that helps!
A total of 2,500 silver and 10,000 bronze medals were struck. PL 90-600 authorized up to 5,000 silver medals and 50,000 bronze medals, but not all were ordered by the sponsor -- the Alabama Sesquicentennial Commission.
The silver medals have a serial number of their edge. If you open the case of your medals, you should find that the silver medal's number and the number of the holder match. (One of my sets is numbered 1364.) The two-piece sets shown were one of the options available to collectors at the time; medals were also available individually.
The definition of "so-called dollar" includes multiple criteria, but two of the key points are a piece made of metal and of a size between 33 mm and 45 mm. As these silver and bronze medals are 33 mm in diameter, they can correctly be called so-called dollars. (The 100+ brass ‘Good For' tokens that are listed on ebay in the So-Called Dollars section at any given time, however, are most definitely not.)
In case you were wondering, the silver medal has a little over one-half ounce of silver in it.
Hope that helps!
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
