1860 Japanese Embassy Medal. Silvered White Metal. 52 mm. Musante GW-355, Baker-368C, var. MS-62 (PCGS).A pretty piece, the obverse is vividly toned in a blend of steel gray, antique gold, salmon pink and cobalt blue. The reverse, on the other hand, is untoned apart from mottled charcoal-russet patina around the periphery. Surface texture is overall rough, as made, there being no noteworthy post-production blemishes. This brief history was given in our Steinberg Collection sale:"The Japanese Embassy medal was struck by the Philadelphia firm of Bailey & Company, jewelers. A single gold specimen was made for the head of the delegation, while silver examples were presented to the other Japanese members. From the evidence of Collins:288 and Patterson:188, other medals were struck in bronze and white metal, some of the former being gilt. The significance of these latter is uncertain. The Japanese delegation, which visited President Buchanan on May 17, 1860, presumably took their medals back to Japan with them."Silvered white metal examples are unlisted in both Musante and Baker, confirming the significance of this offering for the advanced Washingtoniana enthusiast.
