1884 Medal Belden-24 Silver 68mm Charles Edward Anthon

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,800 SP63 03-25-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1884 silver medal at 68mm, cataloged as Belden-24, honors Charles Edward Anthon, a renowned classical scholar at Columbia College (now Columbia University) in New York. Anthon was one of the most influential American classicists of the nineteenth century, whose textbooks on Greek and Latin were used in schools and colleges across the country. The 68mm silver format is a substantial presentation medal indicating institutional or scholarly recognition. The Belden catalog documents medals associated with New York institutions. American commemorative medals document the nation's history through miniature sculptural art, preserving events, achievements, and personalities in a durable metallic format that has served collectors and historians for centuries. Anthon's work made classical education accessible to a broader American audience during a period when knowledge of Greek and Latin was considered essential for educated citizens.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Belden-24, silver 68mm. Academic presentation medals of this size and metal are uncommon.

Cross References

PCGS #810987; Belden-24; Charles Edward Anthon; Columbia College; Silver 68mm; 1884