Consignment Sale of Admiral Vernon Medals

Here's your chance to fill in those holes in your Admiral Vernon Medal collection, or upgrade your collection! Listed below are twelve Admiral Vernon medals, ranging in grade from Fine (F-12) to Almost Uncirculated (AU-50). They are being offered here in an auction, to be conducted via email. If you would like to bid on these excellent medals, and are not already on the list of bidders, please me as soon as you can, and I will add you.

History

For the interesting history of the Admiral Vernon Medals, click on this link. This particular group of medals has been owned by one family for many years. The family lived near Gettysburg, and helped bury the dead soldiers from that Civil War conflict. Afterwards, General Meade gave them some personal effects as a reward for their efforts. It well could be that these medals were a part of that gift. The present owner is not a numismatist, and would like to place the medals into the hands of collectors who would appreciate them and continue to preserve them for future generations.

Auction Rules

Mechanics

This is an auction, and is being conducted via email in two phases. In phase 1, you may make offers for any lots in which you are interested. The offer is a committment to buy at that price, unless you are outbid by someone else. At the end of phase 1, I will update the auction with the current leading bid for each lot. If two people bid the same amount, the first offer received is the leading bid for that lot. If no bids further bids on the lot are received during phase 2, the person with the leading bid is the winner.

In phase 2 you place maximum bids for each lot in which you are interested. The winning bid will be reduced to $5 over the second-highest bid for that lot (but not below the minimum estimate). I plan on updating the consignment page with the leading bids halfway through phase 2 and also about 24 hours before the end. You may raise you bids at any time before the deadline (but not lower them!). Can you bid on a lot in phase 2 that you did not bid on in phase 1? Yes, certainly!

Contingent Bids

I will accept contingent bids. If you like (due to budget considerations, etc.) you can place a bid on one lot, and ask that if you are outbid that I place a bid on a second lot. So for example, if you could only afford to spend $130, you could place a bid for $130 on Lot 1 as your first choice, Lot 2 as your second choice and Lot 5 as your third choice. I just ask that you try to keep your contingencies fairly simple. Email if you have questions.

Minimum Bids

Any bid that meets or exceeds the lower amount of the estimate will be accepted. Bids or offers below that amount will be considered on a case by case basis. So if you bid $1 on a $45 estimate, be assured it will not be accepted. However, a $40 bid might be if no one else bid on that lot. Bids will not be reduced below the minimum estimate.

Estimates and Grading

The estimates are provided to give you a general guideline of what the medals might be worth. So use them as a guideline, but do not take them too seriously! The beauty and value of the medal is in the eye of the beholder, so what it is worth to you (and you can afford) is what you should bid. Along that same line, I took a lot of care to carefully grade each piece, but at the end of the day what matters is your opinion, not mine. So bid based on your grade for the medal, not mine! You are the one who must be satisfied with your purchase.

Scans

There are large scans provided of each medal (just click on the lot number below). Use these scans as best you can to judge the medals, and please ask any questions. I kept the color as close as possible to the original (chocolate brown in most cases), and tried to balance color versus visibility of details. So please ask if you need a better scan of anything.

Deadlines

Phase 1 starts now, October 17th with the deadline being Tuesday, October 23rd at midnight (11:59:59 PM Central time). I think that's 0600 GMT on October 24th for you international folks. Phase 2 will then start and the deadline will be Wednesday, October 31st, again at midnight. Please email if this is not clear.

How do I Enter my Bids?

Just me in no particular format. Tell me your offer (phase 1) or maximum bid (phase 2) for each lot in which you are interested. If you have a contigent offer or bid, just describe what you have in mind in your own words.

Payment and Shipment Terms

Payment can be via PAYPAL, money order, check or cash. Checks must clear. Shipment will generally be via the United States Post Office, unless otherwise requested. I will only charge actual postage charges and the cost of packing materials (not more than $1). Insurance is required, except for international shipment, where registered mail is required. I can provide more exact estimates on request.

Returns and Guarantees

Ask all your questions and examine the photos before bidding! Do not be surprised! Returns will only be accepted only for mistakes in the auction listing.

Have Fun!

I hope that come what may, win some lots or none at all, that this auction will be a pleasurable experience and a chance to check out an excellent group of medals and learn more about them. Please let me know via if there is anything I can do to make things easier or more enjoyable. Have fun!

Draft Final Results (to be confirmed).

CLICK on the lot number or VN catalog number for photos and full description!

CLICK on the lot number or VN catalog number for photos and full description!