1799 (ca. 1800) Victor Sine Clade Medal. White Metal. 56.2 mm. Musante GW-76, Baker-164. VF Details--Graffiti (PCGS).This is a charming piece that shows all the evidence of having been borne as a pocket piece in memory of our nations first president. Handsome pewter patina blankets both sides. Testament to the manner in which this medal was used, the surfaces exhibit numerous marks and light scratches, joined by several bumps and bruises around the edge. A few of the peripheral design elements are faint, but all are discernible, and the central features are suitable bold in the presence of moderate wear. This piece apparently belonged to a great fan of Washington, someone who carried it proudly for years. It will certainly be treasured by its next owner, who will undoubtedly also be an admirer of this famous and influential American.<p>The Victor Sine Clade stands among the more important of the Washington Funeral medals. Made in Newburyport, Massachusetts, the dies were cut by Nicholas Pearce after designs by Dudley Tyng, the U.S. Collector of Customs in that town. Tyng is also credited with the designs for the more often seen Skull and Crossbones, and Funeral Urn medals, which were produced by the more famous engraver, Jacob Perkins.<p>As a class, the Funeral medals are among the most desired Washington medals, for they were there, so to speak, present when reverence for the passed president was undoubtedly at its apex. They were made to be worn at Washingtons funeral processions in Boston, held February 11, and February 22, 1800. They are extraordinary pieces of numismatic Americana. The Victor Sine Clade is counted among the rarest early Washington medals and is extremely difficult to acquire. It was estimated in Rulau-Fuld that there were perhaps only two or three such medals known "in decent condition." We know that the number is a few more, but Musante (2016) catalogs it as VR (i.e., Very Rare) in white metal, and appearances are generally separated by spans of years. The first known to us was the Lucien LaRiviere specimen, sold in November 1999. At the time that consignment was delivered, it was this medal that LaRiviere singled out to the cataloger as being "very rare and difficult to find," passing over such great medals as his silver Washington Before Boston and gold Funeral Urn. Mr. LaRiviere was a true student and connoisseur of the series. The extraordinary John J. Ford, Jr. Collection contained a remarkable three examples, but the list of great collections missing this type includes the collections of the Garrett Family, David Dreyfuss, Paul Magriel, Jack Collins and even our (Stacks) sale of the fabulous Norweb cabinet in 2006. There are finer survivors to be sure, but capturing one at all is the real feat.From the Ralph A. Edson Collection.
