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1916 Aluminum Medal Baker-728B, Thomas L. Elder

Strike Type

Coin Details

Year

1916

Denomination

Medals

Strike Type

Regular Strike

Series

George Washington Medals

Composition

Aluminum

Auction Record

Price realized: $156
Sold: 22 August 2021
Grade: MS63
Auction house: Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1916 medal Baker-728B in aluminum was issued by Thomas L. Elder. The aluminum composition was novel for a Washington medal — aluminum was still a relatively exotic metal in the early twentieth century, though its price had declined dramatically since the 1880s when the Hall-Heroult process made commercial production feasible. Elder was known for producing medals in unusual metals and compositions to appeal to collectors seeking variety. The aluminum version of Baker-728 was produced in small quantities as a metallic variant for completist collectors. Aluminum Washington medals are uncommon across all periods and represent an unusual intersection of modern metallurgy with traditional medallic art.