Description

Circa 1861 U.S. Mint Oath of Allegiance Medal. Musante GW-476, Baker-279, Julian CM-2. Silver. SP-62 (PCGS). 
30.3 mm. Struck on a thick flan and toned to a deep silver gray. However, mottled pastel iridescence adds considerably to the eye appeal, particularly on the reverse where vivid green, gold and blue enliven the prooflike fields.  A popular U.S. Mint issue relating to the Civil War, and likely an early impression as those on thick flans seem to be. FANTASTIC COLOR AND EXTREMELY RARE IN SILVER…..ONE OF THE NICEST I HAVE SEEN…RECEIVED SPECIAL DESIGNATION OF SP BY NGC..SEE BELOW

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.

Provenance: From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Purchased on eBay, January 2005.