SOLD: 1910 14K Gold N.S.G.W. California Admission Day Gold Medal

Included is the original red leather box with purple velvet interior. The box with hinge and latch are in near perfect condition. Stamped 14K gold on the reverse. Struck in San Francisco in 1910, this heavy 14KT octagonal medal hangs from a ribbon and a large embossed pin with the Golden Bear on top and an enamel that states “San Francisco 1910.” Below, another pin attached by chain reads “Chairman Joint Committee.”
The obverse shows a beautifully engraved and embossed allegorical scene of the California Bear with Miss Liberty and a miner wielding a pick in the foreground framed by the mountains. On the reverse, it states “Presented to Brother James Rolph Jr. Chairman Admission Day Committee 1910 by Members Joint Committee N.S.G.W.”. There is also a stamp on the reverse by the Designer and Engraver, Hammersmith and Co.
The pin weighs approximately 65.9 grams. The octagonal medal alone is 55 grams (31.13 grams/ounce). The medal with ribbon measures 10×5.5cm (4×2″). A beautiful example of California jewelry in making an iconic piece of Native Sons of the Golden West California memorabilia. The recipient of the medal, James “Sunny Jim” Rolph Jr., was mayor of San Francisco from January 8 1912 to January 6, 1931, after which he was governor of California until his death on June 2, 1934. Consigned by estate of Rob Lerch, who purchased it at the auction at PBA Galleries of the library of James Rolph Jr. in 2014.