1876 HK-24, Liberty Bell

Coin Details

Description

The Liberty Bell on this bronze medal, HK-24, reproduces the real bell's own lettering, the names of John Pass and Charles Stow and the date MDCCLIII. Those two Philadelphia founders recast the bell in 1753 after it cracked the year before; it weighs 2,080 pounds, stands three feet high and measures twelve feet around the lip, and in 1835 it cracked past repair. On the medal it hangs large in the field between the dates 1776 and 1876, ringed by the verse from Leviticus, "Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." The other side is Independence Hall, bare of trees, with "Commenced 1729 / Finished 1734" beneath. Messrs. Deihl of Philadelphia issued the piece, which Key designed for the Centennial. Silver (HK-23), gilt (HK-24a), copper (HK-25) and white metal (HK-26) versions exist. Bronze, 38 mm.

Cross References

HK-24; PCGS #933737; NGC #850061