American Institute Medals
Harkness NY-40, circa 1840 - 1848
Silver, 51.2mm
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Awarded to "John S. Weeden / For a Model of a / Counterpoise Bridge / 1843
Bronze, 51mm, Van Schaich Medal
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(on line image)
Andrew Harkness does not list a bronze version of this variety nor does he mention any Van Schaich
medals being awarded in this variety
Harkness NY-50, circa 1848 - 1856
Silver, 51.1mm
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Harkness NY-51, circa 1848 - 53
Bronze, 51.1mm
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| Harkness 51 is referred to as the Benefactor Premium. They are identical to Harkness 50 but were only struck in bronze and the inscriptions include "Van Schaich Premium". Andrew Harkness says these were awarded to pioneers in the silk industry. This example is awarded to "Miss Harriet Summy for the Best Bushell of Cacoons". |
Harkness NY-60, 1858 - 1868
Bronze, 51.6mm
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Silver, 51.2mm
Awarded to "Thomas Crossley for the Best Carpeting, 1855"
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It seems Thomas Crossley had mixed success with his carpeting
business. In 1869 he was awarded a patent for "Felting Carpet Fabric" but
he eventually ended up in an insane asylum attributable to
"multiple failures of his manufacturing business" and died there in 1880
at the age of 57.
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Harkness Unlisted, Mule of NY-60 obverse - NY-130 reverse
Bronze, 51mm
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reverse, although the reverse of NY-130 does not have the beaded
rim. Possibly a muling by George H.?
Gold, 51mm
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Harkness NY-70, 1842-1860, 1925-1926
Gold, 28.2mm
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| Awarded to Ebenezer Barrows for a Superior Rotary Engine, 1853. From JK Americana website " Barrows' engine was apparently designed to run steamboats, and he received a good amount of press for his creation at the time. It was patented in England in 1851 and in the US in 1854. Barrows died in Brooklyn in 1858." |
Copper, 28.3mm
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Overstruck on an 1853 cent
Brass, 28mm
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(on line image)
Silver, 28mm
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(image courtesy of Stacks Bowers)
| Andrew Harkness, in his 1989 article in the T.A.M.S. Journal, does not list a silver version of this medal. This unawarded piece was in the March 2014 Stacks Bowers sale. |
Harkness NY-72
Gold, 28mm
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(image courtesy of Spinks)
Harkness NY-120, Medal of Special Award, circa 1872
Bronze, 51.2mm
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 Andrew Harkness attributes this to Robert Jr. and calls the obverse the same as Harkness 40 above. Close examination reveals these are not the same dies and there is no evidence of the signature found on Harkness 40. If these were engraved by a Lovett it was likely George H.. |