1967 Medal William H. Seward Silver 64mm Medallic Art Co., NY

Coin Details

Description

This 64mm silver medal produced in 1967 by Medallic Art Company of New York honors William Henry Seward, the Secretary of State under Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson who is best known for negotiating the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867. The 1967 production date marks the centennial of Seward's Purchase, which at the time was widely ridiculed as "Seward's Folly" and "Seward's Icebox" by critics who considered the vast, frozen territory worthless. History proved Seward spectacularly correct — Alaska's natural resources, strategic military position, and eventual statehood in 1959 validated his vision. The 64mm silver format represents a substantial and prestigious commemorative appropriate to the centennial of one of the most consequential diplomatic transactions in American history. Seward's career extended far beyond the Alaska Purchase — he was a leading antislavery senator, a serious presidential contender, and a loyal cabinet member who survived a simultaneous assassination attempt on the night Lincoln was killed. Medallic Art Company's silver centennial medal honors Seward at the 100-year mark when his most controversial decision had been fully vindicated.

Rarity Notes

Silver, 64mm. Medallic Art Co. NY. Seward Alaska Purchase centennial. Large-format silver with limited production. The centennial timing adds historical significance.

Cross References

PCGS #826185