Owner Comments:
CWNA MEDAL APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Brilliant Gem+ — Designated “Proof Like” by NGC
*Well struck with minor marks/surface abrasions. A handsome issue with excellent eye-appeal. — A second example was recently obtained that could likely even out-grade this one. Therefore, we will see once its authenticated.*
CWNA MEDAL BACKGROUND:
A very interesting issue indeed. The obverse of this medal was originally used for the 1977 CWNA 6th Annual Spring Convention. However, as noted on the reverse, this specific issue commemorates Clay Welty of Broomfield, Colorado, an AVA, CWNA and TAMS Colorado Collector. Welty lived from 1922-1986. — Very little is known about this medal, how many were struck, or who Clay Welty even was. However, the renowned John Dean was able to shed some light on Welty.
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The following was shared privately with me by John Dean regarding this specific medal/Clay Welty: “I believe this guy was one of the creators or initial members of the CWNA. It's been quite a few years ago, but I knew him then, and wondered why he collected tokens and medals? Little did I know, right? I'm sure this token is not real common. I was shocked to see it on eBay, but everything comes to eBay eventually.... It is CWNA related.”
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Listed in the October 1977 edition of “The Fare Box: A Monthly News-Letter for Transportation Token Collectors,” this medal was given the following catalog number: 1508 A B 34 Sd. — A note also mentions the following: “(reproductions of obverses & reverses of 3 Colorado pioneer gold coins).”
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There are apparently 3 Clay Welty varieties/issues in existence. One of which is shown here (cataloged as 1508 A); the only issue I have ever seen. All three are as follows:
Welty, Clayton K. — AVA #1508
CLAY WELTY / -AVA- / CWNA-TAMS / COLORADO COLLECTOR / OF / TOKENS / BROOMFIELD,
COLO. / 80020 / GOOD FOR * ONE FARE * TRADE // PIONEER GOLD OF / 1861 / * COLORADO *
V Brass, 34mm. [1508 A]
CLAY WELTY / AVA * TAMS / COLORADO / COLLECTOR / OF TOKENS / BLOOMFIELD, / CO 80020 /
GOOD FOR * ONE FARE * TRADE // WESTERN STATES / TOKEN SOCIETY (common reverse)
V Brass, 32mm. [1508B]
CLAY WELTY / AVA * TAMS / COLORADO / COLLECTOR / OF TOKENS / BROOMFIELD, / CO 80020 /
GOOD FOR * ONE FARE * TRADE // WESTERN STATES TOKEN SOCIETY (common reverse)
V Brass, 32mm. [1508C]
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CWNA Medal Collection:
Although there is not an official guide for CWNA medals, “tokencatalog” has numerous issues documented. Based on all my investigation, I believe I have uncovered most of what was issued. Below is the list of all CWNA medals I am aware of, as well as if they are included in this collection or still outstanding (N/A listed if not included in collection). These have been grouped by issue and/or similar issue. Rarity, based on what’s known, is also listed:
- 1952 CWNA Uniface “Pike’s Peak Silver Mine” - Jankovsky Slug: Bronze (NGC MS-67 *TOP POP*): SCARCE
- 1952 CWNA Uniface “Pike’s Peak Silver Mine” - Jankovsky Slug: Bronze (NGC MS-67 *TOP POP*/Pedigree: FCCC 1971): SCARCE
- 1952 CWNA Uniface “Pike’s Peak Silver Mine” - Jankovsky Slug: Nickel (Owned; Pending NGC Grading): RARE
- 1952 CWNA Uniface “Pike’s Peak Silver Mine” - Jankovsky Slug: 1/10 10K Gold Filled (NGC MS-67 *TOP POP*/Pedigree: Best of Show Longmont, Colo. April 26, 1970): RARE
- 1952 CWNA Uniface “Pike’s Peak Silver Mine” - Jankovsky Slug: Sterling Silver (Pending NGC Grading): EXTREMELY RARE
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- 1977 CWNA 25th Jubilee: Bronze (NGC MS-67)
- 1977 CWNA 25th Jubilee: Gilt (NGC MS-65): RARE
- 1977 CWNA 25th Jubilee: Silver Proof (NGC PF-68 UC): RARE
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- 1974 CWNA 3rd Annual Spring Convention: Aluminum (NGC MS-63 DPL)
- 1974 CWNA 3rd Annual Spring Convention: Brass (N/A): RARE
- 1975 CWNA 4th Annual Spring Convention: Aluminum (NGC MS-66 PL): VERY RARE
- 1975 CWNA 4th Annual Spring Convention: Brass (N/A): EXTREMELY RARE
- 1976 CWNA 5th Annual Spring Convention: Aluminum (NGC MS-67)
- 1976 CWNA 5th Annual Spring Convention: Brass (NGC MS-66 PL): RARE
- 1977 CWNA 6th Annual Spring Convention: Aluminum (NGC MS-67 PL)
- 1977 CWNA 6th Annual Spring Convention: Brass (Pending NGC Grading): RARE
- 1978 CWNA 7th Annual Spring Convention: Aluminum (NGC MS-67 DPL)
- 1978 CWNA 7th Annual Spring Convention: Brass (NGC MS-66 PL): RARE
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- 1977 CWNA Obverse Design: Clay Welty AVA, CWNA, TAMS Colorado Collector: Brass (NGC MS-66 PL) RARE
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- 1996 CWNA 1st ANA Sanctioned Pre-Show Denver, CO: 1 Oz. Silver Medal Proof (NGC PF-68 UC): 250 Struck
- 1996 CWNA 1st ANA Sanctioned Pre-Show Denver, CO/2006 115th ANA Convention Denver, CO Counterstamp: 1 Oz. Silver Medal Proof (NGC PF-68 UC): 250 Struck; Original 1996 issue. Number counterstamped unknown.
RARITY: Unknown; Likely very rare - I have seen 3 examples
NGC Census not available.
CWNA MEDAL DESCRIPTION:
(Brass, 34mm, Round, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: Pioneer Gold of - Colorado / 1861 / (Various Images of Famous Colorado Coins)
REVERSE: Clay Welty / AVA / CWNA - TAMS / Colorado Collector / of / Tokens / Broomfield, Colo. / 80020 / Good for One Fare Trade
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
(CWNA):
Colorado-Wyoming Numismatic Association was officially incorporated in 1952. The Colorado Department of State (CDOP) records indicate the the non-profit was voluntarily dissolved on September 19, 2018.
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(AVA):
“The American Vecturist Association (or AVA) is an organization of transportation token collectors in the United States and Canada, as well as worldwide. Members of the AVA receive the Fare Box, the monthly newsletter of the AVA. The Fare Box contains advertisements, stories, and information about various tokens, as well as resources to buy, sell, and trade tokens. AVA members are also eligible to join the New Issue Service, which mails new transportation tokens to its members for a nominal fee.” — Credited Source: Gould, Maurice M. (July 5, 1966). "Vecturist Group Token Collectors". The Windsor Star. p. 32.
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(TAMS):
“The Token and Medal Society, Inc. is an educational and non-profit organization devoted to furthering the exonumia field consisting of all forms of tokens, medals, badges and other items of a related nature.” — Credited Source: tokenandmedal.org