1848 National Monument Medal. Musante GW-178, Baker-320A. Silver. MS-61 (NGC).
40 mm. Rich steel-olive toning blankets the obverse, but is confined to outlining the design elements on an otherwise silver-gray reverse. Well mirrored in finish with iridescent undertones and fully rendered motifs. As discussed by Musante, this medal commemorates the laying of the cornerstone of what would become the Washington Monument on the National Mall on July 4, 1848. The design depicted on the medal was the original conceived by the architect, but it was rather dramatically changed to the simple obelisk standing there now, completed in 1885. A rarity in silver, we have offered only white metal impressions from these dies in recent years.
From the Kessler Collection of Washingtonia.