1876 Silver Medal GW-900, Battle Series, Obv Mule

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,280 MS63 11-18-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

The 1876 medal GW-900 in silver is a "Battle Series" piece with an obverse mule — a die pairing where an obverse from one Battle Series medal is paired with a reverse from a different medal in the series. The 1876 Battle Series was an ambitious attempt to commemorate multiple Revolutionary War engagements on individual medals, creating a set that collectors could assemble. The silver composition and mule status make this an unusual piece. Mules could result from accidental die mixing at the press or deliberate creation of non-standard pairings for collectors. In either case, mule medals are scarcer than standard pairings and carry a premium. The Battle Series concept anticipated later medal programs by attempting to create a structured, multi-piece collecting set organized around specific historical events. GW-900 documents both the ambition of the 1876 medallic program and the production complexities that generated mule varieties.

Rarity Notes

Silver, obverse mule. Battle Series mule medals are scarce. Silver composition adds to desirability.

Cross References

Musante-Baker GW-900; PCGS #826480; Battle Series mule