Spink Offers King's College Literary Society Medal Certified by NGC
Posted on 7/24/2026
The celebration of America continues with numismatic rarities from the nation’s history — from the American Revolutionary War to World War I — in Spink’s America 250 auction on July 29, 2026. Dozens of lots certified by NGC® are included in the offerings.
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The top NGC highlight is a (c.1770) King’s College Literary Society Award graded NGC MS 61 (lot 155), with an estimate of $35,000 to $40,000. In 1766, the Literary Society of King's College (the institution that became Columbia University after the American Revolution) was founded to encourage scholarship and academic excellence. The society awarded medals to students who demonstrated exceptional achievement in subjects such as classical languages, philosophy, mathematics, and the liberal arts. Only four examples are known to survive, and this is one of only two currently in private hands, according to the auction house.
This example was hand-engraved by noted silversmith Elisha Gallaudet, and awarded to James Creighton (1751–1822), a lawyer from a well-established New York family. Throughout his life he moved in the circles of the Founding Fathers, but the Creighton family were Loyalists faithful to the British Crown during the American Revolution. They were forced to briefly abandon New York after the war, before returning with the assistance of John Jay.
Other NGC-certified coins in this auction include:
- an 1807 Quarter Eagle graded NGC AU 53 (lot 222), with an estimate of $10,000 to $20,000
- a 1799/8 Silver Dollar graded NGC AU 55 (lot 202), with an estimate of $8,000 to $10,000
- an 1801 Eagle graded NGC XF Details (lot 230), with an estimate of $4,000 to $4,500
- a 1900 Quarter Eagle graded NGC PF 61 (lot 224), with an estimate of $2,000 to $2,600
- a 1915-S Panama-Pacific Quarter Eagle Commemorative graded NGC MS 63 (lot 225), with an estimate of $1,300 to $1,600
- a Netherlands 1658 Holland 2 Ducat graded NGC MS 61 (lot 40), with an estimate of $1,200 to $1,600
- an 1800 Half Dime graded NGC G 6 (lot 169), with an estimate of $1,000 to $1,200
- an 1899 Half Eagle graded NGC MS 63 (lot 228), with an estimate of $1,000 to $1,200
- a 1903 Half Eagle graded NGC MS 63 (lot 229), with an estimate of $1,000 to $1,200
- A 1795 Half Dime graded NGC VF Details (lot 168), with an estimate of $900 to $1,200
Estimates provided by the auction house.
