Medal - Ulysses S. Grant US Mint Employees Parade

Reverse

Script: Latin

Lettering: STRUCK AND DISTRIBUTED IN THE MUNICIPAL PARADE BY THE EMPLOYEES OF THE U.S. MINT PHILA. DEC.16.1879

Comment

1879 Grant Parade Mint Employees Medal, Gold, DeWitt-USG-1880-2, Julian CM-18, Rulau-Pa-Ph-390A. 13.01 gm. A parade for former Civil War General and U.S. President Grant was held in Philadelphia on December 16, 1879. To commemorate the event, the U.S. Mint struck a large quantity of medals in brass, and distributed the medals to the public. White metal examples were also struck, and Julian (1977) states one example was made in silver, unaccounted for today. In gold alloy, CM-18 is extremely rare, and just two are known (per Rulau). The present well-struck and handsome yellow-gold piece has flashy fields and provides excellent eye appeal.