Stack's Bowers Galleries

Summer 2022 Global Showcase Auction  –  22 - 28 August 2022

Stack's Bowers Galleries, Summer 2022 Global Showcase Auction

Live Sessions: U.S. Coins & Currency

Part 1: Mo, 22.08.2022, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part 2: Tu, 23.08.2022, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part 3: Tu, 23.08.2022, from 9:00 PM CEST
Part 4: We, 24.08.2022, from 10:00 PM CEST
Part 5: Th, 25.08.2022, from 5:00 PM CEST
Part 6: Th, 25.08.2022, from 10:00 PM CEST
Part 7: Th, 25.08.2022, from 11:00 PM CEST
Part 8: Fr, 26.08.2022, from 12:00 AM CEST
Part 9: Sa, 27.08.2022, from 5:00 PM CEST
Part 10: Sa, 27.08.2022, from 11:00 PM CEST
The auction is closed.

Description

Undated (ca. 1777) Voltaire Medal. Musante GW-1, Baker-78B. Bronze. MS-64 BN (NGC).
40.5 mm. An immensely handsome specimen of this classic issue. Glossy deep mahogany-brown surfaces with considerable intermingling of olive patina. Roughness along the rims from 8 to 12 o'clock on the obverse, 12 to 4 o'clock on the reverse is as made, as is some light pitting in the center of the reverse and a tiny pit in the upper left obverse field. There are no marks or other blemishes of note, and the strike is sharply executed with crisp detail throughout the design. Evidence of double striking is present at the peripheral legends on both sides for those who care to search for it. Struck from a later die state with gentle buckling in the obverse, a small rim cud near 7 o'clock and the frequently seen spalling at the central reverse, although the cud is partially obscured by the aforementioned roughness to the obverse rim. Long considered the first Washington portrait medal, though the portrait is representative only and clearly not an attempt at Washington's true visage, this medal is of prime importance for inclusion in any collection of Washingtoniana. This example is a pleasure to study and would be suitable for the finest of collections.

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Bidding

Price realized 2'400 USD
Starting price 1 USD
Estimate 3'000 USD
The auction is closed.
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