1776 (ca. 1860) Washington Before Boston Medal. U.S. Mint Gunmetal Dies. Bronzed Copper. Musante GW-09-US1, Baker-49, Julian MI-1. MS-64 BN (NGC).This is a beautiful example of an eagerly sought type that is popular with both Washingtoniana collectors and those specializing in Comitia Americana medals. Semi-reflective reddish-copper surfaces are smooth and support a fine strike. Otherwise a full Gem, a couple of small carbon spots in the right obverse field are noted. It is struck on a nice thick flan with sharp rims making for an impressive medal even beyond the important theme and lovely artistic execution of the Washington Before Boston medal. A slight undulated texture in the fields is characteristic of these early U.S. Mint dies, as are swirling die finishing lines across the portrait and in the reverse field. This is the first iteration of this famous medal produced in the United States Mint.
