"1797" (ca. 1859) Sansom Medal. First Reissue. Musante GW-59, Baker-72, Julian PR-1. Silver. AU-55 (NGC).
41 mm. A richly original example toned in steely-russet and pewter-gray, this piece has the appearance of having sat in a collector cabinet for many years. Reflective fields are appreciable with the aid of direct lighting, which also calls forth vivid undertones of cobalt-blue and reddish-gold. Fully struck and pleasingly smooth for the assigned numeric grade. Musante (2016) reports that just 57 examples are believed to have been struck in silver between 1861 and 1904, an estimate derived from Mint records. Silver impressions are scarce, but they are staples of any advanced collection of Washington medals, particularly considering the rarity and high cost associated with impressions of this medal from the original dies in this precious composition.
From the Kessler Collection of Washingtonia.