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Jesse Ketchum Medal - Large Size

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in American School Medals (currently in collection)

Struck by the U.S. Mint for the Buffalo, NY Public Schools, 1873. Julian SC-15. Gold. Diameter 48.8mm, 68.7 grams. Designed by Sellstedt (signed SELLSTEDT. D. on left exergue line), engraved by William and Charles Barber (signed W. & C. BARBER. F. on right exergue line). Obverse: Bust of Jesse Ketchum facing left; THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF BUFFALO N.Y. Above and JESSE KETCHUM 1782-1867. Below. Reverse: Seated figure of a crowned woman who is leaning on a shield, pouring oil into the lamp of knowledge, which is sitting on a narrow pedestal; SAPIENS ERIT SAPIENTIOR (The Wise Will Be Wiser) around and the number 37 engraved below. Prooflike uncirculated.

Provenance:

Stack's

According to collector Bill Greco, the Ketchum Medals were established by the son-in-law of Jesse Ketcheum, Mr. Barnabas Brennan, who established the Jesse Ketchum Memorial Fund with a gift of $10,000. The medals have been given out in large and small sizes, in both gold and silver beginning in 1873. A handful of unwardeed bronze medals are also known. As of 1949, the last year that the U.S. Mint made the medals, 8905 medals had been awarded. By 2001, the number had climbed to just over 12,000. Each awarded medal has a number engraved in the reverse exergue, though the numbering system is rather complicated and not consecutive.

Item record created Oct. 12, 2008.
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item record in VRA Core 4.0