1797 Washington Sansom Medal. Bronze. GW-58. Baker-71. Julian PR-1. Mint State.Lovely mahogany-brown surfaces with gentle reflectivity in the fields and fine satin devices. A couple of tiny shallow spots and a pair of very fine scratches will be seen in the obverse field under magnification. A tiny rim nick is also noted for accuracy but it has virtually no effect on the overall appearance. Struck from the original U.S. Mint dies, but much later than the circa 1805 original impressions. The dies have heavily rusted here, making for a fascinating variant. It would seem that these pieces were struck due to demand in the 1850s, but that the advanced state of the dies rendered these unacceptable as finished products, prompting the production of new Mint dies in 1859. A very worthwhile example of one of John Reichs desirable medallic works.