 1825 John Quincy Adams Inaugural Medal. J.PR.5, N.45. White metal. 51.0 mm. By Moritz Furst. Brilliant Proof. Pale silver gray color. The fields on both sides are brightly reflective and still fully mirrorlike in places. The obverse is Furst's bust of Adams facing right. The reverse shows Athena presenting a branch to seated America with an inscription around reading SCIENCE GIVES PEACE AND AMERICA PLENTY. The medal is rare but exactly how so is unknown. Carlson suggested twice as many white metal pieces were made than silver ones but offered no estimates of the silver population. Garrett's silver piece was sold to a noted New Jersey maven for $9,750, a strong price at that time which would easily double today. The cataloguer has no other records of silver pieces. There is a handful of white metal examples known, including this, the one in the next lot, and about six or seven others. This specimen was appraised for the Brand Estate at $5 in 1933.
Ex Virgil M. Brand Collection via New Netherlands Coin Company on October 20, 1961.
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