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U.S. Mint. Julian SC-17. Gold. Engraved by William H. Key (signed below bust). Obverse: Facing bust of Elisha Riggs without legend. Reverse: ANNUAL MEDAL FOUNDED 1864 BY ELISHA RIGGS FOR THE BEST ENGLISH COMPOSITION IN THE ________ CLASS AWARDED TO __________ BY THE COLLEGE OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK. Plain edge. Proof. According to R. W. Julian in Medals of The United States Mint:
The Riggs medal was struck at the mint in 1868 and 1869, but due to some confusion in the records between this medal and the commemorative medal for the City College of New York, it is not possible to give precise mintage figures in the annual tables. The medals were to be awarded from the interest on a $1000 fund set up some years before 1868. Riggs also paid for the dies. They were returned to New York on June 3, 1870.
Note: I have seen a well-done, but cast fake example of this medal. Be careful!
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