Owner Comments:
MEDAL APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Brilliant Gem+ — Pedigree: NO. 653 — Design Description: “Jankovsky Slugs”
*Superbly struck with exceptional luster; Brilliant muted gray surfaces enhance the overall piece which exhibits light golden-brown toning on the reverse. — Among the top-12 finest graded examples. — Pedigreed 653 of 1,000 struck.*
MEDAL BACKGROUND:
Struck by the American Numismatic Association in order to raise funds for the restoration of the Lesher House in Victor, CO. These pieces were also based on the very popular octagonal so-called Lesher/Referendum Dollars struck from 1900-1901 by Joseph Lesher. A total of 1,000 were minted and each was struck in one ounce .925 sterling silver." — Credited Source: “The New York Times” June 16, 1985, Section 2, Page 35
RARITY: 1,000 (Total Issued) — Pedigreed #653/1000
Designated “Rare” by T. J. Jankovsky
(NGC Pop = 2; 10 Finer - NGC Total Pop = 22): [05/2023]
MEDAL DESCRIPTION:
(Struck by the Colorado Badge and Trophy Company of Denver, Business Strike, .925 Silver, 1 Troy ounce, 35mm, Octagonal, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: Pikes-Peak / Silver Mine / (Portrait of Lesher House Restoration) / Receipt / In / Support Of / Lesher House / Restoration / At / Victor, Colorado / No. 653
REVERSE: Jos.Leshers Referendum Souvenir / (Portrait of the Colorado Mining Association emblem) / 1 Oz. Coin / Silver / Price 1.25 / M’F’D. Victor / Colo. / 1900
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
“Joseph Lesher moved to Victor following the closure of the silver mines in Leadville, Colorado. Too old to work underground as a miner, Lesher sought to revive the demand for silver by creating a commodity for which merchants would clamor—a circulating medium that carried their advertising. He was too successful in this endeavor, and, despite assurances from Senator Henry M. Teller that the octagonal pieces did not violate U.S. statutes, the Secret Service aborted the issue’s short tenure.
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Deprived by the government of pursuing his novel idea, Lesher turned to his wife for help. Together they built a small addition on the front of their home, added a false front, hung out a shingle, and opened a restaurant to feed hungry, but employed, miners.
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ANA Past President Q. David Bowers generously purchased the Lesher House for the ANA in 1980. (The property was sold in 2001.) The false front was long gone by the time the ANA gained title to the modest home, but visitors can still see evidence of the Lesher-built dining addition.
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It was the ANA’s responsibility to restore the structure, and the funds were raised in the same manner that gave rise to the idea for the Victor centennial fundraiser. A special-issue Lesher was created, using an original design for the obverse and a reverse depicting the Lesher House.
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The town’s centennial issue was made possible by another generous donation. Victor’s major employer, Nerco Monerals Company, donated the silver, a byproduct of its mining operations. The “centennial” Lesher carries the same obverse seen on the ANA specimen, but the reverse features Victor’s centennial logo, adding to the small list of post-Lesher special issues. Collectors of Colorado tokens will enjoy them.“ — Credited Source: “Lesher Referendum Dollars”
Edward C. Rochette