1889 Inaugural Centennial Medal. By Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Philip Martiny. Musante GW-1135, Baker-671, Douglas-53. Bronze, Cast. MS-65 (NGC).

115 mm. Uniform medium saddle-brown finish, the finely granular surfaces are smooth and even, giving the piece a gently satiny appearance when turned in the light. A very pleasing medal with little evidence of handling. This classic Washington medal of the late 19th century is essential for any serious collection of Washington medals or works by Saint-Gaudens. A significant specimen, this piece is pedigreed to Richard Watson Gilder (1844-1909), an American poet and editor who also served briefly in the Civil War when he enlisted in the Pennsylvania Emergency Volunteer Militia as a private in Landis' Philadelphia Battery at the time of the Robert E. Lee's 1863 invasion of the North. It is accompanied by the original box issued by Gorham Manufacturing Company, silversmiths, Broadway and 19th Street, New York. On the lid of the box is printed BY AUTHORITY OF THE COMMITTEE / MDCCLXXXIX / WASHINGTON CENTENNIAL MEDAL / MDCCCLXXXIX / DESIGNED BY AUGUSTUS SAINT GAUDENS. The box is essentially complete, although crushed and flattened. (Total: 1 medal; a box)

Ex Richard Watson Gilder.

Estimate: $1000