USA Coin Book Item ID Number:
821470
Certified By:
Raw / Unspecified
The Sam Rayburn Medal in and of itself is not exceptionally rare, however in all original packaging and Presentation Programs add a little extra historical context. The grandson of original purchaser of the medal allowed me to release photos with names and addresses as all original parties are deceased.
I'm from north Texas and Bonham, Fannin County, Texas is the neighboring county and county seat. Sam Rayburn, a Democrat, was the Speaker of the House three times with interruptions twice due to a Republican majority, at those times he was the minority leader (this sounds strangely familiar). In any event students of Texas get to hear a lot about Sam in their Texas history lessons.
This is why I love my job (not a job a passion). The medal coming into the office was a nice surprise but all the documentation that came with it was really exciting to me. There are two copies of the Program for the Presentation of the Medal which was held in Bonham on March 18, 1966. Speakers included Miss Eva Adams who was Director of the U.S. Mint and Senator Ralph Yarbough from Texas.
Also included is a six page catalog from the Mint for ordering products (the prices will make you cry) and the order sheet.
All in all a really neat piece of Americana. Please note I usually don't go on like this but the "different" I find exciting.