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.