Owner Comments:
MEDAL APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Silver - Proof Strike
*A gorgeous example of a fascinating issue - Brilliant, lustrous, untoned surfaces create outstanding eye-appeal — A beautiful original design rarely seen and significant to colorado history.*
MEDAL BACKGROUND:
Issued to commemorate the original 1861 Colorado-Territory seal. -- Interestingly, upon close examination of the piece, it appears to only be the obverse of a medal. Since the medal itself is permanently attached to its informational paper, a reverse was likely not necessary, as the back of the paper does not show the other side of the medal. When examining the specimen, to put into words, the medal almost looks as though it was cut in half, creating the illusion of a full medal when looking at the obverse, but when looking at the edges, an observer can tell the piece is only half a medal.
RARITY: Unknown; likely scarce - I have yet to encounter another example
MEDAL DESCRIPTION:
(Proof Strike, .999 Fine Silver, 39mm, Round, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: Sigillum Territorii Coloradensis / Union Constitution / Nil Sine Numine / 1861
REVERSE: (Blank)
HISTORICAL DESCRIPTION:
(Informational Issue Description):
"The territory of Colorado adopted its seal in 1861. In 1877, a year after it became a state, two important changes were made. The date was changed to 1876 , the first year of statehood, and the inscription 'The State of Colorado' was changed from Latin to English. The original design includes many elements: the Eye of Providence; a bundle of rods and an ax, or fasces, symbolizing republican government and justice, with ribbons bearing the words 'Union' and 'Constitution'; a shield showing snow-capped mountains, representing the Rockies and a miner's pick and hammer, with dots in the background symbolic of gold. The motto 'Nil Sine Numine' means 'Nothing Without Providence'."