Expert: Dan Moore - 5/31/2009

Question
I have a large gold bicentennial medallion, weighing approximately 13 oz of .900 fine gold.  It is a large version of the smaller coin I can find on the internet.  I bought it in 1985.  I am looking for more info about it but can't find it on the net.

Answer
Greg,

That is a very rare item!

It should be numbered on the edge -- I believe there were only 424 of them minted altogether.

There is no specific place that offers information about them -- they are the rarest version of the National Bicentennial Medal, made at the U.S. Mint.

Heritage sold one not too long ago at the 2/08 Long Beach Signature Auction.  Their catalog description :

1776-1976 U.S. Mint Gold Bicentennial Medal. .900 fine gold, 76 mm, 459.9 gm. Official Mint-struck medal for the U.S. Bicentennial, 1776-1976, engraved by Frank Gasparro. The official original mintage was a mere 424 pieces. It is estimated that around 10 percent of the original mintage is still in the hands of collectors due to the high price of gold. The medal is housed in its original cherrywood case of issue and outer blue box.

Including the 15% Buyer Premium, it sold for $13,800.00

Prior sales include 1/06 Orlando Signature Auction $10,925.00 and 6/05 Long Beach Signature Auction $12,650.00

The only original paperwork that came with these medals is pretty generic, and does not offer any specifics about any of the medals produced.  You can see it pictured here :

http://www.workingmancoins.com/ForSale/Pics/BicMed/ONBCert.jpg

If you are looking to sell it, I may be able to find a buyer for you -- let me know.

I hope this helps,

Dan Moore
The Working Man's Rare Coins
http://www.workingmancoins.com
Working.Man@usa.net