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Citizens of New York to Henry Grinnell for Arctic Expedition

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in Lifesaving Medals (currently in collection)

1851. Gold. 76mm × 55mm, 52.7 grams. This is perhaps the most extraordinary, hand-made gold American medal I've ever encountered in 50+ yrs. The workmanship is stunning. The British and American flags suspension at top is too dark in the photos to appreciate but is highly detailed. The preceding silver specimen, ex rare (& finest known) in its own right, came with this gold medal in its original, recessed interior plush presentation case, along with a large pristine incident-pictorial textile scarf. The medals commemorate the unsuccessful Grinnell-financed arduous attempt to find & rescue the Sir John Franklin Arctic Expedition trapped in ice. The Franklin Expedition ship was found but all the crew had succumbed to cold and starvation. This is the very height of gold medal engraving & construction. Immaculate Prooflike Gem condition. Utterly breathtaking. Almost certainly pure 24 carat gold. In original case.

Item record created Feb. 15, 2009.
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item record in VRA Core 4.0