| Description: |
741.1 grains. 45.1 mm. A rare early American-made tribute to Washington, produced after
the centennial of his birth. Lovely medium chocolate bronzed surfaces show reflectivity in
the obverse fields, less reflectivity on the reverse, and attractive if subtle toning
highlights of pale gold and blue. Nicely struck, Washington's high relief bust by Charles
Cushing Wright well-defined, a few hairlines but no major flaws. Struck from the second
reverse, accomplished in 1834, though the first reverse (identical but for letter
positions) was produced in 1832 to mark Washington's 100th birthday. This variety shows
the "Wright & Bale" signature on the obverse partially effaced in the die to
mark the break up of the partnership in 1833. The recent edition of Baker by Russ Rulau
rates this medal as Rarity-7 in bronze, and indeed it has been missing from many of the
major collections of Washingtoniana sold in recent years, including the Ford
Collection.From Presidential Coin and Antique Co.'s sale of the Ganter Collection,
November 1994, Lot 189.
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