Lea Ahlborn

This medal goes back to the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia, a predecessor of the American Numismatic Society.

The obverse bears bust of Joseph Mickley r. Above and below, PER SAECULUM / MORES INSTITUUNTUR; to left, JOSEPH / J MICKLEY / 1799 - 1878; to right, THE FIRST / PRESEIDENT / 1858 - 1867

The reverse bears owl on heraldic shield. Around, THE NUMISMATIC AND ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY OF PHILADELPHIA; on left, VESTIGIA / RERUM / SEQ / UI (rosette); on right, M D / C C C / LVIII

The medal was issued at the time of Mickley's death in 1878, commemorating his tenure as the first President ' of the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia from 1858 to 1867.

Mickley, who began his numismatic interest in 1817 when he sought to find an elusive cent of the year of his birth, 1799, was America's best known private numismatist in the middle of the 19th century.

The Society reflected on the medal, now the American Numismatic Society, was well known and numbered among its members John Ross Snowden, who at one time was the Director of the Philadelphia Mint.

The medal measures 64.5mm in diameter and was struck by the A. C. Frank Co. of Philadelphia. The mintage is not reported.

The obverse bears full length statue of Washington surrounded by rays of light and circle of thirteen stars. On left and right of statue, 1783 - 1883; signed below pedestal, C.OSBORNE INV. LEA AHLBORN FEC.

The reverse bears the seal of the New York Chamber of Commerce flanked on left and right by those of the City of New York and the American Numismatic Society. Twelve-line inscription reading TO COMMEMORATE / THE / CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY / OF THE EVACUATION OF NEW YORK / BY THE BRITISH, / AND THE ERECTION / BY THE / CHAMBER OF COMMERCE / OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OF THE / WASHINGTON STATUE / IN / WALL STREET

This is the 6th medal issued by the American Numismatic Society.

Evacuation Day was a local holiday celebrated in New York to mark the departure of the last British troops from New York City on November 25, 1783.

The medal measures 57mm in diameter and was struck by the Royal Swedish Mint in bronze and silver. A total of 332 bronze pieces and only one silver were produced between 1883 and 1885.

Many thanks to Ben Burnham for granting me permission to use the images from his eBay store.

The obverse bears bust l. of Charles Edward Anthon. Around, CHARLES EDWARD ANTHON, LL.D.; signed below truncation, LEA AHLBORN.

The reverse bears five-line inscription within wreath of oak (left) and laurel (right); ANS seal at center bottom. Around, PRESIDENT AMERICAN NUMISMATIC AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY 1869 - 1883; in center, BORN IN / NEW YORK CITY / DEC. 6. 1822. / DIED AT BREMEN / JUNE 7. 1883.

This is the 7th medal issued by the American Numismatic Society. Anthon served, with interruptions, as the ANS' President for many between 1867 and his death in 1883. The Society commemorated him with this medal in 1884. While the original subscription was soon filled, subsequent medal sales lingered for many years as both bronze and silver medals were still available for sale thirty years later in 1915. Members appreciated the medal's artistry and quality but they were not impressed by the likeness.

The medal measures 68mm in diameter and was struck by the Royal Swedish Mint in bronze and silver. A total of 15 silver and 85 bronze pieces were produced in 1884.

The obverse bears bust of Daniel Parish, l. Around, DANIEL PARISH, JR.; signed to left of bust, LEA AHLBORN FEC.

The reverse bears inscription within oak and laurel wreath. FROM HIS / FELLOW NUMISMATISTS / IN GRATEFUL RECOGNITION / OF HIS ZEAL FOR AND / DEVOTION TO THE / SCIENCE; around wreath, ANNO SEXTO PRAESIDENTAE SOCI. AMERI. NUMIS. ET ARCHAEOL. / * MDCCCLXXXX *

This is the eighth medal issued by the American Numismatic Society. Daniel Parish, Jr. joined the ANS in 1865 and succeeded Charles Anthon as President of the Society in 1883. He held that office for 13 years, into 1896.

The circular medal measures 46mm in diameter. Its mintage is 1 piece in gold, 1 in silver and an unknown number in bronze.

This medal was issued to commemorate the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago 1893.

The obverse bears bust of Columbus left. Around to left and right, CHRISTOPHER - COLUMBUS; signed under truncated arm, LEA AHLBORN

The reverse bears a Spanish explorer in full armor holding sword and flag on left, facing two natives on right; ships anchored in background. In exergue, CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS LANDING AND / TAKING POSSESSION OF THE ISLAND / WHICH HE NAMED SAN SALVADOR / OCT. 12TH 1492; signed at bottom left, LEA AHLBORN

The medal measures 51mm in diameter and was struck by the Royal Swedish Mint in bronze. No mintage is reported.