Buffalo Nickel Bronze Galvano by James Fraser Sells for Record Price of $180,000 in Auction

Stack's Bowers sold this Bronze Galvano of James Earle Fraser's Buffalo Nickel Reverse on March 26, 2024 for a record price of $180,000 (lot 4046).

It is now featured on the USPatterns website (uspatterns.com) in the Design Sketches, Models & Galvanos section.

Editor's Note: Galvano's from James Earle Fraser and his wife, Laura Gardin Fraser are rare in private hands. Here is a unique bronze galvano of the obverse for the Charles A. Lindbergh Congressional Gold Medal that was designed and sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser. This was from the estate of Laura Gardin Fraser.

14-Inch Obverse Bronze Galvano of Charles A. Lindbergh
For the 1928 Congressional Gold Medal
Designed and Sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser

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The U.S. Mint struck this medal in gold which was presented to Lindbergh. The Smithsonian Institute has one example in gilt bronze. Two specimens were struck in .999 fine silver with a sandblast finish and a weight of 5.77 troy ounces. Bronze versions were struck by the U.S. Mint for sale to collectors. This galvano is unique in private hands.

The 1928 Charles A. Lindbergh Congressional Gold Medal

In medallic work, a galvano is always one-sided and made by placing a bas-relief mold or pattern (of plaster, plastic or metal) in an electrolytic tank containing an electrolyte solution. Galvanos can be made positive or negative (provided the pattern is the opposite: a positive pattern makes a negative galvano). In the numismatic and medallic field negative galvanos are the form of pattern making of a bas-relief to be converted into a die. Galvano casts are often mounted on wood and become a very desirable wall hanging.