"1871" (ca. 1872) Chicago Fire Commemorative Medal. Bronzed Copper. 51 mm. Julian CM-13. MS-64 (PCGS).

Beautiful mahogany-brown surfaces exhibit an overall smooth, satiny texture that is nearly pristine. A couple of dull marks within the clouds on the left side of the reverse are all that stands between this handsome piece and a full Gem Mint State rating. Five hundred examples of this medal were struck in July 1872 using bronze recovered from the Chicago Court House bell. The medal commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of October 8-10, 1871, that is believed to have killed nearly 300 people and destroyed more than three square miles of the city.