1797 (ca. 1859) Washington Sansom Medal. U.S. Mint Dies. Red Bronze. 40.8 mm. Musante GW-59, Baker-72A, Julian PR-1. Choice Mint State.Boldly reflective surfaces show remarkable even, deep mahogany patina. It is a beautiful example, prettier than the usually matte-like bronzed specimens. Just a few stray hairlines and some tiny handling marks in the upper reverse field require note. Rulau mentions that 308 examples were struck in "red bronze" between 1859 and the 1870s, though the lack of precision in the end date might reflect the precision of the mintage number, too. Tiny die crack on Washingtons shoulder, about the same die state as the LaRiviere specimen (Bowers and Merena, November 1999, lot 3072). Struck on an unusually thick planchet for a red bronze impression that measures 3.8 mm at the rim.From the Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation. Earlier from our (Stacks) sale of the Norweb Collection of Washingtonia, November 2006, lot 2072. Acquired from Empire Coin Company. Lot tag and collector envelope with attribution notation included.
