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DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 352 — How to Appraise Rare Medallic Art, Tokens & Plaquettes
Medallic art, tokens, and plaquettes represent one of the most sophisticated and historically rich branches of numismatics. These pieces combine elements of sculpture, metallurgy, design history, and economic context—making proper authentication and valuation essential for collectors, investors, and estate professionals.
Because medallic items were produced by private mints, sculptors, art societies, world’s fairs, fraternal organizations, and issuing authorities with limited documentation, appraisal requires a structured forensic and historical approach.
This guide provides the complete professional system used by museum specialists, numismatic experts, sculptural-arts appraisers, and exonumia collectors to evaluate authenticity, artistic merit, and market value for medals, tokens, and plaquettes.
Inside, you’ll learn how professionals:
Distinguish struck vs. cast medals using relief sharpness, edge formation, and surface texture
Identify correct metal composition using weight, resonance, alloy tone, and XRF testing
Authenticate sculptural quality through relief depth, anatomical precision, and finishing detail
Evaluate signatures, mintmarks, monograms, and foundry stamps
Analyze edge inscriptions, mintage numbers, hallmarks, and serial codes
Assess natural patina vs. artificial surface aging or chemical treatment
Interpret historical context: issuing authority, event significance, edition size, and sculptor biography
Use major references (Forrer, Hibler-Kappen, Bowers, Marqusee, Civil War Token Society, etc.)
Authenticate tokens via issuing-authority research, die varieties, and catalog diagnostics
Evaluate plaquettes as miniature sculptures, focusing on casting seams, tool marks, and back texture
Identify counterfeits by spotting modern alloys, weak relief, incorrect fonts, and artificial patina
Grade condition accurately across scratches, corrosion, wear patterns, verdigris, rim nicks, and cleaning
Determine fair market value, auction value, and replacement value using current market behavior
Whether appraising cast bronzes by major sculptors, struck world’s-fair medals, Civil War tokens, private-mint issues, artist plaquettes, or rare commemorative medals, Volume 352 provides the full methodology needed to determine authenticity, rarity, and accurate market value.
Digital Download — PDF • 9 Pages • Instant Access
Medallic art, tokens, and plaquettes represent one of the most sophisticated and historically rich branches of numismatics. These pieces combine elements of sculpture, metallurgy, design history, and economic context—making proper authentication and valuation essential for collectors, investors, and estate professionals.
Because medallic items were produced by private mints, sculptors, art societies, world’s fairs, fraternal organizations, and issuing authorities with limited documentation, appraisal requires a structured forensic and historical approach.
This guide provides the complete professional system used by museum specialists, numismatic experts, sculptural-arts appraisers, and exonumia collectors to evaluate authenticity, artistic merit, and market value for medals, tokens, and plaquettes.
Inside, you’ll learn how professionals:
Distinguish struck vs. cast medals using relief sharpness, edge formation, and surface texture
Identify correct metal composition using weight, resonance, alloy tone, and XRF testing
Authenticate sculptural quality through relief depth, anatomical precision, and finishing detail
Evaluate signatures, mintmarks, monograms, and foundry stamps
Analyze edge inscriptions, mintage numbers, hallmarks, and serial codes
Assess natural patina vs. artificial surface aging or chemical treatment
Interpret historical context: issuing authority, event significance, edition size, and sculptor biography
Use major references (Forrer, Hibler-Kappen, Bowers, Marqusee, Civil War Token Society, etc.)
Authenticate tokens via issuing-authority research, die varieties, and catalog diagnostics
Evaluate plaquettes as miniature sculptures, focusing on casting seams, tool marks, and back texture
Identify counterfeits by spotting modern alloys, weak relief, incorrect fonts, and artificial patina
Grade condition accurately across scratches, corrosion, wear patterns, verdigris, rim nicks, and cleaning
Determine fair market value, auction value, and replacement value using current market behavior
Whether appraising cast bronzes by major sculptors, struck world’s-fair medals, Civil War tokens, private-mint issues, artist plaquettes, or rare commemorative medals, Volume 352 provides the full methodology needed to determine authenticity, rarity, and accurate market value.
Digital Download — PDF • 9 Pages • Instant Access