Owner Comments:
MASONIC ISSUE APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Uncirculated+
*A well struck uncirculated example with superb detail and multiple historic references. A brilliant, silver-colored, center surrounded by light toning is exhibited on the obverse, whereas a primarily untoned silver surface is exhibited on the reverse.*
MASONIC ISSUE BACKGROUND:
Struck from an extremely unique combination of metals as noted on the NGC label: AR/GS = Silver Plated German Silver. Note the following definitions:
- AR = Silver (ranging from high purity to +/- 25% pure)
- GS = German Silver (a silver-white alloy of copper, zinc, and nickel)
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This piece in particular recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Denver, Colorado Freemason’s Masonic Lodge #7. — Chartered on 11/03/1863 by the Colorado A.F. & A.M., Union Lodge #7 A.F. & A.M., is a Masonic Lodge in Denver, Colorado. Union #7 is part of District 56a. The Lodge still meets to this day. — It should be noted that this particular lodge was erected in 1863, amongst the midst of the Civil War. — Additionally, the G symbol on the reverse refers to “Grand;” sometimes read as “Great.” It also alludes to God, geometry or the Great Architect of the Universe. - The historical references of both the Civil War and the Freemason Society in Colorado make this piece all the more fascinating.
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“A Masonic lodge, often termed a private lodge or constituent lodge, is the basic organisational unit of Freemasonry. It is also commonly used as a term for a building in which such a unit meets.” — Credited Source: "Demit". Masonic Dictionary
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“All Freemasons, both AF & AM (which means Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, as well as F & AM, which means Free and Accepted Masons, trace their allegorical history back to the building of Solomon's temple in the Holy Scriptures). — Freemasonry was exported to the British Colonies in North America in the 1730s. After the American Revolution, independent U.S. Grand Lodges formed within each state.“ — Credited Source: Masonic Lodge of Education
RARITY: Unknown; Likely rare (I have yet to encounter another example)
NGC Census not available.
MASONIC ISSUE DESCRIPTION:
(AR/GS [Silver Plated German Silver], 32mm, Round, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: Union Lodge No 7. A.F. &. A.M. / November 20th / 1863 / (Depiction of 2 crossed American flags) / 1913 / Denver, Colo. / 50th Anniversary
REVERSE: (Masonic “G” symbol with protractor, geometric ruler, and rays)
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
“Masonry Comes to the Rockies” | Published by Grand Lodge of Colorado A.F. & A.M. | http://www.coloradofreemasons.org/
“The Gold Rush fever of the Pikes Peak region in 1858 was intoxicating. It entranced men of all descriptions, fortune-hunters, prospectors, and rovers, eager for quick wealth and excitement. Its hurriedly-formed wagon trains departing from Missouri river outposts threw together for 700-mile, month-long journeys, men of every ilk, many of them fleeing from the rigidity of law and order and civilization.
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But its lure was irresistible to Masons, too. Many members of the craft responded to the sudden challenge of the frontier. And having been forced to associate with adventurers of dubious backgrounds during the tedious overland journey, upon arrival in the new country they quickly sought the company of their brethren. Within ten days after the founding of the first permanent settlement at Auraria, at the junction of Cherry Creek and the Platte, the first informal assemblage of seven Masons was held in what was to be the Territory and then the State of Colorado.
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It has been said that in every pioneer settlement of the West first came the church, then a school, and then the Masonic Lodge but in Colorado this order was reversed. Years ago, the Rev. John M. Chivington, first presiding elder of the Methodist Church in this area and first Grand Master of Colorado, wrote: "On May 8, 1860 I arrived in Denver, published an appointment, and preached the following Sunday in the Masonic Hall. Henry Allen founded a Masonic Lodge in Colorado long before there was a church or school."
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Allen was thus acknowledged the father of Masonry in Colorado. He became Master of Auraria Lodge under dispensation.”