(1836) Medal J-MT-21, First Steam Coinage Yellow Bronze Restrike

Coin Details

Auction Record

$288 AU55BN 10-14-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

This yellow bronze restrike of Julian MT-21 is a companion piece to the MT-20 medal, both commemorating the introduction of steam-powered coinage at the Philadelphia Mint in 1836. While MT-20 focused on the February 22 event itself, MT-21 presents a variant design that expands on the technological achievement and its significance for American coinage. The yellow bronze composition, with its higher copper content producing a distinctly warm golden tone, distinguishes this restrike from standard bronze versions. The obverse of the MT-21 medal presents the steam coinage theme with design elements that complement rather than duplicate the MT-20 treatment. The two medals together form a paired record of what Director Robert M. Patterson and his staff recognized as a transformative moment in Mint history. The shift to steam power not only increased production volumes but also improved the consistency of coin strikes, as mechanical presses delivered more uniform force than hand-operated equipment could achieve. This improvement in quality was particularly noticeable on larger denomination coins and medals where even striking pressure was essential. The reverse carries the Julian MT-21 designation and commemorative text. As a restrike, this medal was produced from preserved original dies at a date significantly later than 1836, continuing the Mint's tradition of maintaining important dies for future production runs. The yellow bronze alloy used for this restrike may reflect the specific alloy preferences of the period when the restrike was produced rather than the original 1836 composition.

Rarity Notes

Yellow bronze restrike from original dies. Julian MT-21. Companion to Julian MT-20.

Cross References

PCGS #783671; Julian MT-21; First steam coinage 1836; Companion to Julian MT-20