1861 U.S. Mint Oath of Allegiance Medal. By Anthony C. Paquet. Musante GW-476, Baker-279B, Julian CM-2. SILVER. Thick Planchet. PGCS SP62.

Description

1861 U.S. Mint Oath of Allegiance Medal. By Anthony C. Paquet. Musante GW-476, Baker-279B, Julian CM-2. SILVER. Thick Planchet. PGCS SP62……..THIS IS A LOT RARER THAN ANY OTHER OATH OF ALLEGIANCE VARIETY…..30 mm.…………From its earliest days, the US Mint has occasionally produced coins that fall short of the definition for actual Proofs yet are clearly superior to the normal currency issues. In past generations, such pieces were routinely described as Proofs by coin dealers and catalogers. Since the 1960s, these would-be Proof coins have gradually become accepted under the term “Specimen,” which is abbreviated SP on the NGC certification label. SP is a catchall that is applied to a variety of finishes that are distinct from the appearance of circulation issues but do not fit any of the Proof categories. Specimen can describe early US coins with bold strikes, very brilliant fields and semi-frosted devices.