1889 Centennial of the Inauguration of Washington Medal. Bronze cast. 113mm. By Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Philip Martiny. GW-1135, Douglas-53, Baxter-77. MS-65 (NGC).Obv. GEORGE WASHINGTON and circle of 13 stars above and around half-length civil Washington bust facing left divides -PATER- PATRIAE -/ -M.D.C.C.L - XXXIX, tiny lettering below, PHILIP-MARTINY-MODELER-DESIGN-AND-/COPYRIGHT-BY-AVGVSTVS-SAINT-GAUDENS. Rev. American eagle spreads his wings over 12-line Committee on Celebration inscription in border of 38 tiny stars, representing the number of states in the Union at the time. Bright coppery-red surfaces are unlike those generally seen on other Bronze examples. Housed in its original white cardboard box imprinted BY AUTHORITY OF THE COMMITTEE, MDCCLXXXIX, WASHINGTON CENTENNIAL MEDAL. MDCCCLXXXIX, DESIGNED BY AUGUSTUS SAINT GAUDENS. Though this medal is regularly available in the numismatic marketplace, original cardboard boxes of issue are virtually unheard of, with most extant examples being in poor condition. The current example is an exception, the box having been carefully preserved in the Gilder family. Highest condition Bronze examples are elusive, and this magnificent Bronze is desirable not only as a premier Washington item but as one of the few truly collectible examples of the artistic genius of Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Its provenance to Richard Watson Gilder, friend and confidant to both Saint-Gaudens and Theodore Roosevelt whose "pet crime" was the illustrious Saint-Gaudens gold coinage of 1907, makes this one of the most desirable bronze examples to be had.From the Estate of Richard Watson Gilder; Mrs. Gilder Palmer; descended through the family before being sold to our present consignor.