Erie Canal Completion Medal with Original Box, In White Metal

Commemorative medal in white metal, 44 mm. dia., created in honor of the completion of the Erie Canal, designed by Archibald Robertson, engraved by Charles Cushing Wright, 1826. Obverse with legend "Union of Erie with the Atlantic," above depictions of Pan and Neptune with a cornucopia and trident, with letters "R. DEL." and "W. SC.," at bottom; reverse with legend "Erie Canal Comm. 4 July 1817 Comp. 26 Oct. 1825," above the New York State coat of arms, with a depiction of a section of the canal at left, and a ship and a distant cityscape at right, all above inscription "C.C. Wright Sc. / 1826 / Present'd by the City of N. York." Accompanied by original wooden box, 52 mm dia., with interior paper labels, the first marked, "THIS BOX / was made out of a piece / of wood brought from Erie / on the first Canal Boat / THE SENECA CHIEF," and signed in ink, "B Huntington;" the second marked, "Presented by the City of New York" around the rim, with a depiction of an eagle at center and ink inscriptions/signatures reading, "Jon Ald[?]," "A Lamb," and "B Huntington," along with the date "1826."

This lot is located in Cincinnati.