Revised: 3/13/2015

Please Note: The medal here is General Custer’s M.O.L.L.U.S. medal. As we have stated, it is the only George Armstrong Custer medal to our knowledge left in private hands. The image in our catalog associated with the medal in some of the advertisements depict Custer decked out in his regale wearing a medal on his breast. We did not indicate in the catalog or in writing that he was wearing this actual M.O.L.L.U.S. medal because it is not the M.O.L.L.U.S. medal. It is another medal known as “Military Society of the Army of the Potomac”. Despite the fact that we never stated that this was the M.O.L.L.U.S., we do not want anyone to be confused or to think otherwise. To conclude with, there is nothing wrong with the image. There is nothing wrong with the description. The lot is as we purported it to be and a truly historic, fabulous and exciting lot.

RARE GOLD AND ENAMEL MOLLUS MEDAL BELONGING AND ISSUED TO GENERAL GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER.

This badge, well provenanced, descended in Libbie Custer’s Estate. SN 1641 is documented in Union Blue by Carroon & Shoaf as being membership number of Custer. The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS) was organized April 15, 1865, as word of President Abraham Lincoln’s death spread throughout the country, three Union Army officer friends met in Philadelphia to discuss the tragic news. Rumors from Washington of a conspiracy to destroy the Federal government by assassination of its leaders prompted the three officers to form an organization that could help thwart future threats to the national government. A mass meeting of Philadelphia veterans was held on April 20, 1865 top leaders renewed allegiance to the Union and to plan for participation in the funeral arrangements for the President. The Philadelphia officers, who served as an honor guard for President Lincoln’s funeral cortege, met again after the funeral was over to establish a permanent organization of officers and former officers patterned after the Society of Cincinnati established after the Revolutionary War. The name they chose, the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, first appeared in a notice calling a meeting on May 31, 1865 at Independence Hall. Since its inception, the MOLLUS membership has included nearly 12,000 Civil War officers. At its zenith, the MOLLUS counted practically every prominent officer among its ranks. Among them were Generals Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman; Lt. Generals Philip H. Sheridan, Nelson A. Miles and John M. Schofield; Major General Winfield Scott Hancock, George B. McClellan, Rutherford B. Hayes, George Armstrong Custer, Grenville M. Dodge; Admiral David G. Farragut; Rear Admirals Bancroft Gherardi and George W.Melville. In addition to Ulysses S. Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes, original Companions Chester A. Arthur, Benjamin Harrison and William McKinley served as Presidents of the United States. Very few items can be traced so closely to Custer’s personal ownership. This is no doubt the rarest personal object of the iconic Custer privately owned. PROVENANCE: George Armstrong Custer, Libbie Custer, Margaret Flood, 1933, Spinks, Lot No. 1072, August 23, 2012. CONDITION: 5.5 grams, gold and enamel, 31mm x 31mm x 4mm. Obverse American eagle with olive branch and arrows in talons. Surrounded by motto “LEX REGIT” (Law Rules)/”ARMA TUENTUR” (Arms Defend). The reverse has device of crossed swords over faces inside wreath surrounded “M. O. LOYAL LEGION U. S.”/”MDCCCLXV”. Loop is engraved “1641”. Tri-colored red, white and blue silk ribbon. Fine overall as seen in photos. 4-54478 JS (50,000-70,000) – Lot 1427

Auction: Firearms - March 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1427	$86,250.00	Revised: 3/13/2015 Please Note: The medal here is General Custer’s M.O.L.L.U.S. medal. As we have stated, it is the only George Armstrong Custer medal to our knowledge left in private hands. The image in our catalog associated with the medal in some of the advertisements depict Custer decked out in his regale wearing a medal on his breast. We did not indicate in the catalog or in writing that he was wearing this actual M.O.L.L.U.S. medal because it is not the M.O.L.L.U.S. medal. It is another medal known as “Military Society of the Army of the Potomac”. Despite the fact that we never stated that this was the M.O.L.L.U.S., we do not want anyone to be confused or to think otherwise. To conclude with, there is nothing wrong with the image. There is nothing wrong with the description. The lot is as we purported it to be and a truly historic, fabulous and exciting lot. RARE GOLD AND ENAMEL MOLLUS MEDAL BELONGING AND ISSUED TO GENERAL GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER. This badge, well provenanced, descended in Libbie Custer’s Estate. SN 1641 is documented in Union Blue by Carroon & Shoaf as being membership number of Custer. The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS) was organized April 15, 1865, as word of President Abraham Lincoln’s death spread throughout the country, three Union Army officer friends met in Philadelphia to discuss the tragic news. Rumors from Washington of a conspiracy to destroy the Federal government by assassination of its leaders prompted the three officers to form an organization that could help thwart future threats to the national government. A mass meeting of Philadelphia veterans was held on April 20, 1865 top leaders renewed allegiance to the Union and to plan for participation in the funeral arrangements for the President. The Philadelphia officers, who served as an honor guard for President Lincoln’s funeral cortege, met again after the funeral was over to establish a permanent organization of officers and former officers patterned after the Society of Cincinnati established after the Revolutionary War. The name they chose, the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, first appeared in a notice calling a meeting on May 31, 1865 at Independence Hall. Since its inception, the MOLLUS membership has included nearly 12,000 Civil War officers. At its zenith, the MOLLUS counted practically every prominent officer among its ranks. Among them were Generals Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman; Lt. Generals Philip H. Sheridan, Nelson A. Miles and John M. Schofield; Major General Winfield Scott Hancock, George B. McClellan, Rutherford B. Hayes, George Armstrong Custer, Grenville M. Dodge; Admiral David G. Farragut; Rear Admirals Bancroft Gherardi and George W.Melville. In addition to Ulysses S. Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes, original Companions Chester A. Arthur, Benjamin Harrison and William McKinley served as Presidents of the United States. Very few items can be traced so closely to Custer’s personal ownership. This is no doubt the rarest personal object of the iconic Custer privately owned. PROVENANCE: George Armstrong Custer, Libbie Custer, Margaret Flood, 1933, Spinks, Lot No. 1072, August 23, 2012. CONDITION: 5.5 grams, gold and enamel, 31mm x 31mm x 4mm. Obverse American eagle with olive branch and arrows in talons. Surrounded by motto “LEX REGIT” (Law Rules)/”ARMA TUENTUR” (Arms Defend). The reverse has device of crossed swords over faces inside wreath surrounded “M. O. LOYAL LEGION U. S.”/”MDCCCLXV”. Loop is engraved “1641”. Tri-colored red, white and blue silk ribbon. Fine overall as seen in photos. 4-54478 JS (50,000-70,000) – Lot 1427 Auction: Firearms - March 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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RARE GOLD AND ENAMEL MOLLUS MEDAL BELONGING AND ISSUED TO GENERAL GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER.