(1864) Medal GW-673, Ni NY Sanitary Fair

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,680 MS64 11-18-2019 Stack's Bowers

Description

This nickel medal cataloged as GW-673 is the nickel composition variant of the New York Sanitary Fair medal, produced circa 1864. The nickel version represents an unusual composition choice for a Civil War-era medal, as nickel was still a relatively novel coinage metal — the three-cent nickel had been introduced only in 1865, and the five-cent nickel (Shield type) in 1866, though nickel had been used in the Flying Eagle cent alloy from 1857. The lighter color and harder surface of nickel gave this version a distinctly different appearance from the copper striking (PCGS #785220). The choice to produce Sanitary Fair medals in multiple compositions reflects the entrepreneurial approach of Civil War-era medal makers, who recognized that variety collectors would purchase specimens in each available metal. Nickel strikings of Washington medals are generally scarcer than copper or bronze versions due to the more demanding requirements of striking the harder alloy.

Rarity Notes

GW-673, nickel. NY Sanitary Fair medal. Nickel composition is unusual for this era and scarcer than copper.

Cross References

PCGS #785227; GW-673; NY Sanitary Fair, nickel