1897 Bronze Medal Miller-11, Grant Monument

Coin Details

Auction Record

$408 MS66BN 06-21-2024 Stack's Bowers

Description

This bronze medal (Miller-11) was issued by the American Numismatic and Archaeological Society (the ANS's former name) to commemorate the dedication of Grant's Tomb on Riverside Drive, Manhattan, on April 27, 1897. The 64mm medal was designed and struck by Tiffany & Co., with dies cut by Victor David Brenner — his first commission for the ANS, years before his famous 1909 Lincoln cent. The obverse features a bust of Ulysses S. Grant facing right with four stars denoting his rank as General of the Army and the ANS seal below. The reverse depicts Grant's Tomb with "DEDICATED NEW YORK APRIL 27 1897" around the border. Mintage: 1 gold (presented to General Horace Porter, Grant's former military secretary and president of the Grant Monument Association), 81 silver (presented to dignitaries including Mrs. Julia Grant, President McKinley, and heads of state), and 500 bronze (sold at $2.50 through Tiffany & Co.). The dedication ceremony attracted over one million spectators, the largest public gathering in New York City history to that date.

Rarity Notes

Bronze: 500 struck, sold at $2.50 through Tiffany & Co. Silver: 81 struck, presented to dignitaries. Gold: unique, presented to General Horace Porter. Dies and striking by Tiffany & Co.; dies cut by Victor David Brenner.

Cross References

Miller-11; ANS medal; Victor David Brenner designer; Tiffany & Co. striker; Grant's Tomb; 1897