1776 (ca. 1890-1910)Washington Before Boston Medal. Second U.S. Mint Issue. Bronze. 67.8 mm. 148.0 grams. Musante GW-09-US2, Baker-49B, Julian MI-1, Adams-Bentley 3. MS-64 BN (NGC).Washington Before Boston medals from the original dies are, like all Comitia Americana originals, difficult to obtain and expensive. The various restrikes have been well cataloged by Neil Musante and experience yields that some are scarcer than others. This variety, struck from the well-executed U.S. Mint copy dies by Barber, is scarce in its own right, with just 167 examples reported to have been made between 1892 and 1904. This gorgeous example came from our <st1:place w:st=on><st1:placename w:st=on>Dorchester </st1:placename><st1:placetype w:st=on>Heights</st1:placetype></st1:place> offering at the 2012 Philadelphia ANA Sale. Richly reflective honey-brown fields showcase pastel and gold highlights. It is significantly more elusive than the Paris Mint restrikes of the mid to late 19th century and is thus an underrated type, we believe. However, we sold an uncertified Gem Mint State example in our November 2017 Baltimore Auction for $1,680. This lovely piece brought $1,840 at the 2012 ANA sale where it was recognized for its scarcity and strong grade.From the Downing Collection. Earlier from our sale of the Dorchester Heights Collection, August 2012 <st1:city w:st=on>Philadelphia</st1:city> ANA Sale, lot 4074.
