1790 Manly Medal. Bronze. 47.8 mm. Baker-61B, Musante GW-10. Rarity-6. Extremely Fine.；An especially choice specimen of this early and very popular Washington medal. Of the vast canon of pieces produced in celebration of Washingtons life and accomplishments, it stands among those special few medals actually struck during his lifetime. The rather folksy appearance of the portrait is not especially flattering to the subject, but likely accurately represents the appearance of Washington at that stage of his life. This example was probably sold by Manly himself at his shop in Philadelphia as it still has his name at the bottom of the reverse. Many specimens have had the name removed and it is thought those are examples Manly sold in quantity to other retailers around the country.<p>Because there were no presses available in America at the time which were capable of producing a medal of this size and thickness from a standard planchet, special planchets were cast in the appropriate diameter, but with a raised mound where the bust of the president would be. The extra metal in that area allowed the details of the high relief portrait to be struck up fully after a few passes through the press. The process of casting of the unusually shaped planchets produced many tiny pits and voids in the planchets that usually were not completely obliterated while being struck. This example shows many tiny planchet pits over most of the surfaces of both sides, but not any more than are expected on the typical specimen. The reverse inscriptions are not as well struck up as the portrait on the obverse, and the usual evidence of multiple striking is much more evident on the lettering on the reverse, as well. Due especially to the boldly struck portrait, this is an overall premium example of this historic type that is sure to be an cherished part of the winning bidders collection.；
