Washingtoniana
Washington Before Boston medal. Fourth Paris Mint issue (ca. 1880). First Issued “Original” Obverse / Third Issued Reverse. Musante GW-9-P3, Baker-48F. Silver. Cornucopia and ARGENT on edge. SP-63 (PCGS).
68.8 mm. 2340.1 grains. Pearlescent gray silver surfaces are generously complemented by soft rose, gold, blue and green toning, mostly through the fields. The devices are largely satiny and lustrous while the fields glitter with prooflike texture. A few light marks are detectable under magnification, but none is worthy of specific mention and all are largely masked by the gentle patina. Though struck a little later in the series than many of this variant, there is very little difference in the die state. The usual spalling marks of the original obverse are virtually identical to what is seen on pre-Civil War strikes, suggesting a degree of stability in a die that suffered notable damage very early in its useful life, perhaps only after a strike or two around 1789. Only a very slight expansion of a tiny rim cud over the E of ADSERTORI is noted. Any Washington Before Boston medal in silver is a prize. The originals are at the apex of such desirability, but they are rare and command prices commensurate with such status, expensive enough that they are well beyond the reach of most collectors. The occasional but very scarce offerings of Paris Mint impressions like this one present ideal opportunities to acquire this historic medal in the most precious of the available compositions. Considering that these are struck from the identical obverse die, they also have some of the same character of the originals and are linked to them in a way that Philadelphia Mint restrikes simply aren’t.
PCGS# 826070.
From the E Pluribus Unum Collection.
Estimate: $5000