Owner Comments:
ANA MEDAL APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Gem Proof - NGC “Smithsonian Institution” Special Label — “ANA Show Releases” Designation
*Shimmering example containing beautiful mirrored fields and sharp, frosted details. Deeply mirrored fields reflect light brilliantly and contrast the strong devices, giving this copper proof exceptional eye-appeal. — An utterly stunning classic design which is also unique to the 2017 126th A.N.A. World’s Fair of Money held in Denver, CO as noted on the reverse. — Matches its silver proof counterpart of the same design which is also included in this collection with the limited edition NGC Smithsonian “ANA Show Releases” label.*
ANA MEDAL BACKGROUND:
Struck to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the William Barber 1877 Half Union $50 gold pattern and to commemorate the American Numismatic Association's 2017 126th World's Fair of Money in Denver, Colorado. — Joining the eagle on the proof's reverse are the inscriptions "2017 DENVER" and "ANA WFM.” — Originally issued with individually numbered certificates of authenticity.
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In 2017, the Smithsonian issued copper and silver proof medals as a reproduction of the famous U.S. coin that was proposed but never released for circulation. The 99.9% pure copper one AVDP ounce proof medal features the Half-Union design that was intended to be used for the circulating $50 gold coin. Mintage of this special medal was limited to just 2,500 pieces. — Although the copper variety was included in this collection as of July 2022, the silver issue had yet to be acquired at the time. I was luckily able to find an example with the limited edition Smithsonian label in October of 2022; officially completing the sub-set.
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The obverse and reverse designs on this medal were originally created by William Barber, fifth Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint and father of Charles E. Barber. The date is displayed on the obverse along with a detailed portrait of Liberty. Joining the very detailed bald eagle on the proof's reverse are the inscriptions "2017 DENVER" and "ANA WFM" — marks commemorating the American Numismatic Association's 2017 World's Fair of Money in Denver, Colorado. Celebrating the largest annual coin show in the United States, these Half Union Proofs were specially minted for the event.
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Complete Sub-Set for this Issue is as Follows:
- 2017 Copper Smithsonian Issue “William Barber 1877 Half Union Pattern Design - 126th A.N.A. World’s Fair of Money: Denver, CO” 39mm (NGC: GEM PF)
- 2017 Silver Smithsonian Issue “William Barber 1877 Half Union Pattern Design - 126th A.N.A. World’s Fair of Money: Denver, CO” 39mm (NGC: GEM PF)
DESIGNER: William Barber
ISSUED: Smithsonian Institution
RARITY: 2,500 (Total Sets Struck)
NGC Census not available.
ANA MEDAL DESCRIPTION:
(Smithsonian Issue, Proof Strike, .999 Copper, 28.35 Grams [1 AVDP Oz.], 39mm, Round, Reeded Edge)
OBVERSE: (Liberty Head wreathed by 13 Stars; $50 Half Union pattern design) / B / 1877
REVERSE: United States of America / In God / We Trust / (Bald Eagle cradling a shield with an olive branch and a bundle of arrows in his talons) / 2017 / Denver / ANA / WFM / 1oz AVDP .999 Copper / Half Union
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
(1877 William Barber $50 Gold Half Union Pattern Background):
“Proposed as part of a quick solution for paper money-short but gold-rich bankers in California, the $50 Gold Half Union was meant to serve as a more convenient way to transfer funds. As the legislation started with promise, William Barber created designs that were later struck as patterns. When the bill died in Congress, the patterns were destined for the melting pot.
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Through the quick thinking of U.S. Mint Chief Coiner and Superintendent Col. Archibald Snowden, an equal exchange of bullion was made behind closed doors and the patterns were saved. Thought to be lost forever, the pattern coins eventually made their way to collector William H. Woodin. Once discovered, the U.S. Mint orchestrated a massive trade with Woodin to get the patterns back. Today, this specific pattern coin safely resides within the walls of the Smithsonian National Numismatic Collection; hence the 2017 issue displayed here.” — Credited Source: GovMint.com
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(2017 ANA World’s Fair of Money Background - Denver, CO):
“The American Numismatic Association ANA - www.money.org World's Fair of Money (WFOM) 126th Convention was held at the Colorado Convention Center, in Denver, CO on August 01 - 5, 2017. The last ANA WFOM held in Denver was in 2006, and that convention had no official auction and was held in the very back of the convention center This event had two, a Heritage Auctions (www.HA.com) and a Stacks-Bowers (www.stacksbowers.com) Auction. Both of these auctions had thousands of lots which realized tens of millions of dollars in sales. The majority of items in all the sales sold for excellent prices. This World’s Fair of Money was held in the front of the convention center on the second floor.
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The convention had over 500 bourse tables, which included 21 club tables; eight government agencies (which feature the annual World Mint Passport), the U.S. Mint (with a special set of coins which drew large crowds trying to purchase them) and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing – BEP (with their special drawing for the Spider Press Prints), the U. S. Post Office and FEDEX, a fantastic ANA Museum Showcase, a Kids Zone – Treasure Trivia area, dozens of well-done competitive exhibits (kudos’ to Robert Rhue for winning the Howland Wood Best-in-Show award with his exhibit titled, “The Colored-Seal Notes of Colonial Georgia,”) daily Money-Talks educational programs, an important ANA District Representatives meeting, an author’s table, Coin Collecting 101 classes, a Maynard Sundman/Littleton Coin Co.
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Lecture Series, ANA Legacy Series & Reception featuring Barbara Gregory interviewing Tom and Ken Hallenbeck, a Scout Merit Badge Clinic, the official ANA coin and supply dealer Whitman Publishing, the official ANA grading services NGC & PMG, along with many more grading services, numismatic publications – F + W Media - Krause Publications (it is always nice to get the new annual coin show calendar sponsored by Numismatic News and also Amos Press - Coin World, several off-site dinners and meeting by different coin clubs and organizations including PNG, NLG (the NLG Bash – congratulations to Bank Note Reporter and Coins Magazine Editor Robert Van Ryzin for being awarded the NLG CLEMY Award), CONECA, TAMS and others, a well done official program.
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ANA official medals and ANACS provided cloth bags for everyone who attended the convention, The Elongated Collector (TEC) rolling machine and area featuring the special elongate made for this convention, and concession stands which were kept very busy. The Friday night ANA Awards Banquet was also very nice and the Silent Auction was very successful. A special thanks to Prominent numismatist Michael "Miles" Standish who had his head shaved by special guest Rick Harrison of Pawn Stars to raise money for the ANA and the Standish Foundation for Child & Family Centered Healthcare, a nonprofit devoted to helping sick children.”
Credited Source: American Numismatic Association (money.org)