A beautiful antique circa 1849 coin silver trophy cup, awarded by the American Institute of the City of New York, hand engraved on the front to read:
Awarded by the
American Institute
At the 22nd Annual Fair, Oct 1849
to S&L Hurlbut 
for the best Devon yearling heifer

In amazing condition for its age, no dents or damage, just a couple shallow surface marks. It has polished up beautifully! Marked on the base as made by William Adams of New York.  

Measures approximately 4.5" high by 3” wide across the top. Weighs 93.8 g.

The following description of the American Institute was published in the 1905 New International Encyclopedia:
The institute was founded on February 18, 1828, and its American Institute fairs attracted wide attention from investors and capitalists. Among the inventions which received early recognition from the institute were the McCormick reaper, the sewing machine, Colt's fire-arms, the type revolving and double power printing press machines, the first anthracite coal burning stove, the Morse telegraph, the Beach Pneumatic Transit, the stocking loom, the telephone, and the Francis metallic lifeboat and lifesaving appliances. In the early 20th century, the American Institute was organized as five sections: The Farmers' Club, the Henry Electrical Society, the Horticultural Section, the Photographic Section, and the Polytechnic Section. It had a scientific library of over 15,000 volumes