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Macerated Currency Justus H. Rathbone - Founder of the Knights of Pythias.. ...
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Sold on Jun 18, 2024 for:
$360.00
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Description
Extremely Rare Private-Ordered Macerated Currency
Macerated Currency Justus H. Rathbone - Founder of the Knights
of Pythias.On rare occasions, private parties or organizations would contract with one of the souvenir manufacturers to have a macerated item made to honor an individual, event, or organization. This is one of those pieces, and the finest example of a privately ordered piece that we have seen. It is unique in both its size and subject matter. Another could certainly exist, but we have never seen one. It is a macerated medal, a full 1/2" thick and 4" in diameter. The central feature on the obverse is a bust of Justus H. Rathbone, with his name surrounding. Farther out, at the top, is "Knights of Pythias," and at the bottom, "Founder and Past Supreme Chancellor." Further out from that is a ring of hollow dots. The back is extremely busy, with a three-story building at its center. The building has rays radiating out from it in every direction. There are three lines of text surrounding the building, all totally legible. The outer ring tells us that this item has been produced as a souvenir of the biennial encampment of the Knights in Washington, D.C. in 1894. The middle line informs us that it was manufactured from redeemed National Bank Notes. The inner line refers to the founding of the organization in 1864. The piece has a perfectly reeded edge and it is totally free of damage or problems. Many bits of National Bank Notes can be spotted throughout the design. We know the source of this macerated medal thanks to W.H. Abbott, including his name in small letters at the base of the building. Abbott was an employee of the National Currency Souvenir Company in Washington D.C. Thanks to Wikipedia, we know that "Justus Henry Rathbone (October 29, 1839 in Deerfield, New York - December 9, 1889 in Lima, Ohio) was the founder of the international fraternal order of the Knights of Pythias. He graduated from Colgate University and attended Carlisle Seminary. He was a music composer and actor. In 1863 he moved to Washington D.C. as a government clerk in the United States Treasury Department, where he founded the Knights of Pythias on February 19, 1864. Rathbone wrote the ritual for the Knights of Pythias which is based on the mythological friendship of Damon and Pythias, while he was a school teacher at the Eagle Harbor Schoolhouse, in Eagle Harbor, Michigan." This is a beautifully executed and excessively rare or possibly unique piece of macerated currency. It is one of the crown jewels of our consignor's collection.
Auction Info
Tuesday US Currency Select Auction #142425 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2024
18th
Tuesday
Internet/Mail Bids: 14
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 113
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
20% of the successful bid per lot.
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