Early Basketball Medal - Value?

[seanb]

Found this today when cleaning out a jewelry box, anyone know the value? From my research, it seems to be made about 1910, the writing on the back is hand etched in gold, and it is made by Dieges & Clust.

 

[seanb]

Back - Says, "Hamilton Inst // Girls // Basket Ball [note the space] // Helen Cooper

 

[cowseatmaize]

I wouldn't guess the value with gold being so up there. I'd put the treasure value at much more than melt regardless of karat. That a cool find by a respected and known maker!

 

[frozenmonkeyface]

I wonder if a jewelry shop could give you an estimate? Or even a local gold/coin/silver collector. Tell them you are looking to insure it not sell it so they give you the actual worth, not what they want to pay you for it. Just an idea.

 

[epackage]

I didn't think gold tarnished

 

[seanb]

Thanks for the recommendation. I will take it to a jeweler and a coin dealer and see what they each have to say.

 

[seanb]

I didn't think so either; however I looked it up and sure enough, gold tarnishes. I'm pretty sure the whole thing is bronze and the writing on the back is gold, but who knows? I'll have to see since that same company made medals out of gold.

 

[cowseatmaize]

ORIGINAL: epackage

I didn't think gold tarnished

Beats me? I shrunk them down a bit though. Those were ginormous pics.

 

[2find4me]

.

 

[2find4me]

Similar Medal: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dieges-Clust-Athletic-Track-Medal-Sterling-Enamel-1914-/300857116602?pt=Vintage_Sports_Memorabilia&hash=item460c7b47ba&nma=true&si=KxE8D0DXV0t6nCppG9I9lC6uie0%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557