Owner Comments:
SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE AND FIRE 1906, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
THE REVERSE OF THE MEDAL IS A FUNKY RED COLOR. EITHER SOMEONE TRIED TO CLEAN IT, OR THE REVERSE WAS POSSIBLY LAYING IN SOME LIQUID THAT DISCOLORED IT. WHAT A SHAME!!! THE OBVERSE APPEARS TO BE ORIGINAL.
Extensive research fails to establish origin of these issues. Some feel they were produced and sold to assist in defraying portion of giant cost of catastrophe but any revenue derived would have been insignificant. More creditable is statement of San Francisco Public Library that "reliable local opinion is that production of such medals probably was a transitory commercial venture with no official connection."
This was most severe earthquake in history of United States; affected area 150 miles both north and south of city, east to Nevada and west to Honolulu. Starting about 5 A.M., April 18, 1906, series of 2 main shocks and 25 additional ones shook San Francisco alone; resulting fires raged 3 days, destroyed 500 city blocks, over 28,000 buildings; almost 500 people killed, 2,500 seriously injured. San Francisco loss estimated at $250,000,000; total $350,000,000. One of "wonders of conflagration" was saving of U.S. Mint Building, "where fire was fiercest," by 250 employees and soldiers.
THERE ARE ONLY (9) HK-342A'S GIVEN A NUMBER GRADE PER THE NGC CENSUS AS OF 7/2023.
THIS SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE MEDAL IS RELATIVELY COMMON IN OTHER METALS, BUT EXTREMELY RARE IN COPPER. I PURCHASED THIS MEDAL UNGRADED FROM JEFF SHEVLIN AND HAD NGC CERTIFY IT.
Obverse features California Street and a view of the city in ruins.