Certified HK-1 NGC MS61 ERIE CANAL COMPLETION MEDAL So Called Dollar 1826

Description

HK-1 White metal Erie Canal Completion Medal. One of the few of these medals that exist in mint state grade. MS61
This has been in my custom medal registry set at NGC for many years, and the set was designated as the best set of the year at NGC a few years back.
One of these medals - only 1 - was issued in Gold and owned by a U.S. president, that example sold at Heritage a few years back for over 0,000.00.
I no longer do best offers, please do not make offers through the eBay message system. The only way to make a purchase from me is to bid. I reserve the right to end any auction early if there are no bids. Thank you.
Here is some background history and facts for your consideration:
Medal, 1826, WM, ERIE CANAL COMPLETION, New York, NY, So Called Dollar, HK-1 WM, NGC MS61, Cert# 1657081-001. Important and Historical Medal, Rarity-6. Obv. Two full seated figures depicting Pan and Neptune, to r. of Pan is cornucopia; in background is lighthouse and sea; below l. microscopic R. Del, below r. microscopic W. Sc.; above all, around Union of Erie with the Atlantic. Rv. In center is New York State Coat of Arms; to l. is section of Canal; in background is sailing ship and distant view of city; below 1826 / Presented by the City of New York; above all, around Erie Canal Comm. 4 July 1817 Comp. 26 Oct. 1825; microscopic C. C. Wright Sc just below center design. Size: About 45mm. Interestingly, concentric circular die, or lathe, lines cover most of the gray surfaces with the focus at the center of the die. Richard Snow, in his Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cents, second edition, Vol. II, 1859-1869 reference work, illustrates and discusses such lines on page 65. Happily, this Specimen does not exhibit any of the "bubbly" surfaces found on many of these medals, most likely from interaction of the medal surfaces with the wooden container that these originally came in. History: Medal issued by Common Council, City of New York; designed by Archibald Robertson; engraved by Charles Cushing Wright; struck by Maltby Pedetreau. Erie Canal Commission created 1810 by NY Legislature; DeWitt Clinton, later Governor, served as member 10 years without pay. Ground broken July 4, 1817, at Rome, NY. Over 8 years and ,000,000 later, Canal stretched 364 miles "straight as the lay of the land would permit" from Hudson River to Lake Erie; 83 locks required for "greatest engineering feat of modern times…costliest, most successful project yet undertaken in the New World." Originally dubbed "Clinton's Folly" by many, Canal proved one of main factors in our national development by directly opening West to agriculture; reduced freight cost and time, Albany to Buffalo, from 0 per ton and 45 days (by wagon) to and 6 days; passengers paid 5 cents per mile, including 3 meals daily. By 1836, tolls had paid off entire cost; made New York City first seaport in U.S., passing Philadelphia. Now part of NY Barge Canal System, original 40 ft. width and 4 ft. depth have been increased substantially. Formal opening was Oct. 26, 1825, with vessel Seneca Chief carrying Governor Clinton departing Buffalo; arrived New York City Nov. 4. Long water-parade behind "moved slowly" with banquets, parades, etc. "at every town" en route; climaxed by huge New York celebration early 1826. Fifty-one Gold medals struck; presented to "crowned heads of world and eminent men" including General Lafayette and 3 surviving signers of Declaration of Independence. "Several hundred" pieces struck in Silver and White Metal (pewter); presented to guests and officials. RARE.