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NGC MS-67 Ulysses S. Grant Inauguration Medal

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Medals

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Superb NGC MS-67 Ulysses S. Grant Inauguration Medal

1873-Dated. (c.1900) Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Inauguration Medal (Second Term). Struck at the United States Mint in Bronze. NGC graded Mint State-67.
Julian PR-15. 76mm. 216.14 gm. This medal is a magnificent, rich brown-bronze in color. Despite having been listed for sale by the Mint beginning in 1873, this medal was not actually available in any form until 1879, when William and Charles Barber finally completed the dies, using a portrait of Grant while he was in office during his first term. The color of this piece indicates that it is striking c. 1900. Surprisingly, the medal plated in Julian reference book appears to be a very modern strike with a matte finish, perhaps indicating the rarity of earlier medals. This medal is the only and Finest in quality of this vintage, so certified by NGC to date.

This is a United States Mint made medal, produced circa 1900. To our best knowledge, we are aware of only a small group of this special vintage and type that were recently discovered, and unpublished until now. To our best knowledge only one of each design is known. It is possible that others may exist. They are clearly not originals or 19th century restrikes. These medals have a distinct appearance. They are certainly the "only ones recognized" for what they are. Also, they are apparently even rarer than the medals that were produced by the Mint with the green experimental finish, that were used for only a few years at the turn of the 19th century. According to Joe Levine, he has not seen any of this vintage previously, over many decades of specialization and as a top authority in the field. We know of none other of these medals, other than a few sold through Presidential. It is difficult to estimate their market value as they are of a later issue, and the "originals" have been widely collected since made. However, this vintage of issue appears to be vastly more rare than the "originals," if not unique. The true rarity of these medals is unknown. However, the fact that they have just come to the attention of longtime specialists in the field is a good indication of their great scarcity.

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