1776 (ca. 1789) Washington Before Boston Medal. Paris Mint Original. Bronzed Copper. 68 mm. Musante GW-09-P1, Baker-47B, Adams & Bentley-3, Julian MI-1. Extremely Fine, Damaged.Although not a perfect example, the popularity and scarcity of this original Paris Mint issue, combined with not insignificant positives, are sure to result in keen interest for this offering from many quarters. The surfaces have a pleasingly original appearance with dominant golden-brown patina and considerable gloss. Splashes of crimson are mostly confined to the obverse field, the reverse with streaks of flint gray vertically bisecting the center. The former side also reveals a few swirls of ancient verdigris and encrustation. Our stated impairment, however, concerns a series of sizeable cuts and digs on both sides which, although largely confined to the surfaces, also extend to the upper obverse rim. Other, lighter rim disturbances are also noted for both sides. Overall definition is bold, a further enhancement to this medals appeal.<p>The Washington Before Boston medal is a classic and immensely historic. Though all are desirable, and there are numerous iterations which speak to a long tradition of desirability of the issue in general, original Paris Mint strikes in particular are by the far the most significant and enjoy the greatest demand. While Adams and Bentley recorded 52 specimens, they did not break this down further among those with the original reverse, like this one, those with the error reverse, and those struck after that error was corrected. The Baker-Fuld work has often placed the population from this die pair at eight to 10 pieces, which is provably low, but we would be surprised if the total surpassed a couple dozen. Neil Musante did not propose a specific estimate, though he reported that "seven in silver and twenty in bronze" were reported known in <em>Masons Coin & Stamp Collector Magazine</em>, in December 1868. Most of the original impressions are heavily handled, as here, struck in the 18th century for non-collectors who were close to the beginnings of the American Experiment and thus not handled as gingerly as those pieces from the mid-19th century which typically went directly from dies to cabinets. A specimen like this, struck from the same dies as the gold specimen granted Washington by Congress and the silver specimen presented him by Thomas Jefferson in 1790, wears its history well and would be an evocative addition to any cabinet.From Presidential Coin & Antiques Sale #41, December 1986, lot 124; Presidential Coin & Antiques Auction Eighty-One, June 2011, lot 142. Lot tags included.
