Henry Clay: Unique Solid Gold U.S. Mint Medal Presented to Him in 1852 by a Committee Led by President Millard Fillmore. This spectacular medal, 3 1/2" in diameter and containing nearly 30 ounces of pure California gold, was struck at the U.S. Mint in 1852 for presentation to the great politician and statesman Henry Clay. On the obverse is Clay's portrait, and on the reverse a list of his accomplishments.

Clay was very frail and had only months to live when a committee of prominent New Yorkers commissioned the medal, which was given to Clay in a ceremony held in his hotel rooms at the National Hotel in Washington, D.C. With President Fillmore and leading members of Congress in attendance, the chairman of the presenting committee Daniel Ullman declared:

"In the name of a large number of citizens of New York, we offer you this gold medal, and beg your acceptance of it, to be preserved in your family, and by their descendants, we hope, for ages.

"It has been our effort to make it valuable as a work of art... and as a perfect resemblance of your lineaments. We think this effort has been successful, and that no medal ever struck in this country surpasses its beauty, and that it is the best likeness of your features ever yet attempted by any art."

Clay, with only months to live, struggled to his feet to acknowledge this lavish gesture:

The medal was indeed carefully preserved by generations of Clay descendants, and was for many years exhibited on loan at Ashland, Clay's Kentucky home and now a museum. However, the decision was made to turn over that stewardship to a collector or institution which will value and preserve it as they have.

It is contained in an elegantly engraved and embossed silver case in the style of a giant pocket watch case, with hinged covers to protect each side. On one side of the case are a monument to Clay and the home at Ashland, and on the other a rendering of the U.S. Capitol building. The silver case is in the original velvet lined leather presentation box, and is accompanied by a beautiful hand-written presentation document signed by the members of the committee.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Henry Clay: Unique Solid Gold U.S. Mint Medal Presented to... (http://historical.ha.com/itm/political/henry-clay-unique-solid-gold-us-mint-medal-presented-to-him-in-1852-by-a-committee-led-by-president-millard-fillmoreandlt-total-2-/p/6163-38001.s)