1914 Archer Milton Huntington Medal. By Emil Fuchs. Miller-18. Bronze. Awarded to Farran Zerbe. MS-62 (PCGS).

67 mm. Originally struck in 1908, this medal was used as an award to individuals who had made substantial contributions to numismatics. A total of 25 pieces were produced in bronze, the present example presented during one of the two ANS exhibitions in 1914 to no less than Farran Zerbe -- one of the best known numismatists of the early 20th century. Zerbe (1871-1949), who would eventually become president of the ANA, started collecting in 1882 when, as a newsboy in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, he was passed a French 50 centime coin as a dime. This sparked his interest, and within a few years he was selling coins by mail. By 1899 he had published Just What You Should Know, Nut Shell Facts on Coins, Stamps & Paper Money. From there his numismatic publishing efforts expanded, leading to his eventual editorship and ownership of The Numismatist, still published today. Heavily involved in the production and promotion of many commemorative coin issues, he was sometimes regarded as more of a huckster than a numismatist. Nevertheless, he is remembered today as one of the more influential, if also colorful figures in the history of U.S. numismatics.

From our Baltimore Auction of March 2018, lot 591, where it was certified MS-63 by NGC. NGC cert #3725320-006 from that earlier encapsulation is included in this lot.