1781 (ca. 1840) Daniel Morgan at Cowpens Medal. Barre Dies. Betts-593, Julian MI-7. Silver. SP-64 (PCGS).

56.4 mm. 1219.4 grains. Plain edge. 4.6 - 5.0 mm thick. A magnificent specimen and an unheralded rarity in the U.S. Mint series. For as much attention is given to Dupre's superb design, Morgan's extraordinarily military feat, and the fascinating story of the production of the exacting reproduction dies by the French master Barre, the rarity of the silver strikes from this die has been underestimated. While bronzes continue to excite collectors, they are fairly available. Examples in silver are very rare, and pieces that look like this are all but unknown. The fields are deeply mirrored, their reflective basins contrasting boldly with the extraordinarily sharp devices. The obverse is beautifully toned, mostly silver gray with subtle overtones of gold, blue, and blushes of rose. The reverse is spectacular, with a rainbow of champagne gold, pastel blue, and rich violet from rims to center. This toning was almost certainly imbued by one of the period red-leather U.S. Mint boxes used for special medals. Dupre's unforgettable battle scene looks more impressive than ever in these multicolored hues, and the overall aesthetic impact of this medal is second to none. A single mark is noted above the flags on the reverse. Aside from being positively beautiful, a silver example from these dies is a spectacular rarity. This hammered at $7,000 in Ford, one lot after an original bronze Morgan at Cowpens hammered at $12,000. The last two bronze originals brought $78,000 and $55,200, but not a single silver example akin to this has sold since this piece's last appearance in 2006. Rather than being dismissed as a U.S. Mint copy, the Barre copy dies of this medal were produced in Paris on behalf of the U.S. Mint by a special Act of Congress that authorized the replacement of the lost gold original, last owned by Morgan's son-in-law, Morgan Neville. For collectors of Comitia Americana rarities or U.S. Mint medals, a silver Morgan at Cowpens ranks as one of the most desirable potential acquisitions.

From the E Pluribus Unum Collection. Earlier from the Wayte Raymond estate; our (Stack's) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part XIV, May 2006, lot 211.