In honor of the 25th Anniversary of NEMCA, NEMCA issued a replica of the medallion of the great Scottish magician John Henry Anderson (1814-1874), also known as Professor Anderson, Great Wizard of the North. The medallion debuted at Yankee Gathering X, November 4-6, 2004, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
John Henry Anderson Medallions
The original medallion, from which this replica was made, was issued by
Anderson in honor of his command performance before Queen Victoria at Balmoral
Castle in 1849. It is perhaps the most prized of all magician tokens,
listed as MT014 in Magicians’ Tokens and Related Items by F. William
Kuethe, Jr., Oct. 1978. Fewer than a half-dozen of the original gold-plated MT014 tokens are known to exist. Three different Anderson medallion designs also exist in pewter, and were perhaps
made later, but are also rare and highly sought-after.
NEMCA Reproductions
The NEMCA Anderson replica medallion is die struck, heavy, and the same large size as the original
Anderson medallion. One side of the replica is an exact copy of the obverse of
the rare gold-plated MT014 Anderson medallion that was originally in the collection of Jay
Marshall, Dean of American Magicians (except for the removal of the hole present
at the top of all known original Anderson gold-plated medallions). The
Anderson replica die was made from an expert casting created by master craftsman
Carl Williams of Custom Magic from the original medallion. The other side of the replica
medallion depicts the NEMCA 25th anniversary logo. Both sides of the medallion are in
deep relief. The medallion is a striking tribute to Professor Anderson, and is
the largest token that NEMCA has issued.
The replicas were made in four different metals. All of the versions are 2 inches in diameter, 1/4 inch thick, with a serial number on the smooth edge (e.g., 17/100 means #17 out of 100).
All of the various metals for this Anderson medallion are limited edition. No
more of these medallions will be made. Please note that the 14K gold Anderson
replica medallions were available only by advance, pre-paid order. Eight 14K
gold medallions were pre-ordered and made, and the gold medallions are sold out.
The other three metals are still available. Also note that the relatively
high price ($125) of the solid .999 fine silver medallions is due to the substantial
amount of silver in this large coin, weighing three times as much as most silver
tokens (which are usually just one troy ounce).
When you order an Anderson medallion in a particular metal, we automatically give you the next
available serial number in that particular metal. If you order
the Anderson medallion in more than one metal, please tell us whether
you would like to have the next available serial number in each
metal, or whether you would like to have the next available matching
serial numbers for all of the metals that you order (so that they
will all have the same serial number). Please note that only
50 silver medallions were made, yet the next available serial number in
antique bronze is now greater than #50, so it is no longer possible to match
serial numbers between antique bronze and silver (or between antique
nickel, antique bronze, and silver). However, we can still
match serial numbers between antique nickel and antique bronze, or
between antique nickel and silver.
As is typical for medallions such as this that have a deep relief design, the mint
used a double or triple strike of the hardened steel dies when creating each
medallion. These multiple strikes leave a satin finish on the medallions, rather
than a shiny finish. To provide an attractive shiny luster befitting the
precious metal composition, all of the solid 14K gold medallions were plated in 14K
gold, and the solid .999 fine silver medallions were plated in pure silver.
Every medallion is enclosed in a clear acrylic Air-Tite capsule
(which can be opened) for display and protection. In addition, each .999
fine silver and 14K gold medallion is packaged in a presentation box with an
attractive, signed certificate of authenticity.