Undated (ca. 1800) Hero of Freedom Medal. Copper. 28.2 grams. Musante GW-81, Baker-79. AU-58 (PCGS).Dark steely-brown surfaces with gentle tan and olive mottling. A bit of light surface debris is noted on the reverse. Generally glossy with a trace of light reflectivity remaining in the obverse field. Evenly struck with good detail extending even through Washingtons hair which is in high relief and often seen a bit weak on this issue. This is the scarcer of two copper variants, struck over a 1797 Great Britain cartwheel twopence. Elements of the undertype are easily seen on the rim of both sides. A curious, deeply impressed countermark "F.B." is found beneath the bust making this a doubly interesting variant of this classic Washington medal. The identity of the countermarker will likely never be known, but the arguably respectful placement of the mark beneath Washingtons truncation (as opposed to over the portrait, for example) suggests that the theme of the medal was valued-it was not just a host to try a punch. Perhaps the intent was simply to identify this medallic memorial to Washington as "F.B."s personal specimen.
