1790 Manly Medal. Original Dies. Musante GW-10, Baker-61B. Brass. MS-61 BN (PCGS).47.7 mm. 631.2 grains. Once thoroughly tinned surfaces have left a heavily mottled patina across both sides of this example. Some of the surface has toned deep blue, other areas retain the lighter gray from the surface treatment and some of the high points sharply reveal the light olive tones of the solid brass underneath. Though sharp and not at all unpleasant in hand, closer inspection reveals ancient smoothing in the fields which was likely done to even out the misunderstood natural roughness from the original cast planchet. This said, both the smoothing and the tinning are very old, likely done near the time of issue as part of the same effort to make this look like one of the much more costly silver medals at a lesser cost. A very nicely struck example, nonetheless, with the lettering sharp and with Manlys signature and date easily legible at the lower reverse.<p>The original announcement and call for subscriptions for the Manly medals offered these pieces in "fine white metal to resemble silver, for one dollar; a fine gold-coloured metal, for two dollars; of fine silver for four dollars; and of gold in proportion to weight." This example would have been among the "fine gold-coloured metal" issues, in brass, which was clearly the best seller.From the Richard August Collection.
