(1974) Medal U.S. Customhouse Bronze Wheeling, WV

Coin Details

Description

This bronze medal from 1974 depicts the United States Customhouse in Wheeling, West Virginia, part of a series honoring historic federal customhouse buildings. Wheeling's inclusion in the customhouse medal series reflects the city's historical importance as a transportation hub where the National Road met the Ohio River, making it a crucial gateway to the American West in the early nineteenth century. During the Civil War, Wheeling served as the capital of the Restored Government of Virginia and then as the first capital of the new state of West Virginia, which was admitted to the Union in 1863. The federal customhouse building in Wheeling served multiple government functions beyond customs collection, typical of smaller federal buildings in inland cities. This medal documents one of the lesser-known but historically significant locations in the customhouse series, representing the role of interior river ports in American commerce during the era before railroads dominated transportation.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Part of the 1974 U.S. Customhouse medal series. Bronze. Wheeling is the most unusual location in the series.

Cross References

PCGS #906477; U.S. Customhouse Wheeling, WV; Federal Architecture Series 1974