Presented here is the earliest USGA medal that we have ever located. The USGA famously formed in 1895, and medals from those early USGA events are considered the Holy Grail to American medal collectors. Though very few medals were awarded to golfers (we believe only to first and second place), nearly identical medals were also issued to a few select USGA officials. This style of medal was discontinued in the very early 1900s. 

This 1898 US Amateur medal was presented to the Vice President of the USGA, Ransom H. Thomas. This "gold" (we don't believe the medal is real gold) medal is engraved with the date and venue, Morris County Golf Club, on the reverse. 

Our friends at Heritage Auctions recently sold a silver player medal from the 1895 US Amateur for over $100,000.