1877 Bronze Medal Cornerstone Commemorative 7th Regiment Armory of NY

Coin Details

Description

This 1877 bronze medal commemorates the cornerstone laying of the 7th Regiment Armory in New York City. The "Silk Stocking Regiment" built a magnificent Romanesque Revival armory on Park Avenue with interiors by Tiffany, Stanford White, and the Herter Brothers. The cornerstone ceremony was a major social event. This medal documents the intersection of military service, social prestige, and architectural ambition in Gilded Age New York. Medal iconography provides insight into how Americans have understood and represented their history, with evolving artistic conventions reflecting changing cultural values and aesthetic preferences across different eras. The digital documentation of medal collections through high-resolution photography and online databases has expanded research capabilities and made attribution resources available to a broader audience of collectors and scholars. The building is now the Park Avenue Armory, hosting contemporary art and cultural events.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. 7th Regiment Armory cornerstone medal, bronze, 1877.

Cross References

PCGS #968752; 7th Regiment Armory; Cornerstone; New York City; Bronze; 1877