1776 (1876) United States Diplomatic Medal. U.S. Mint Copy Dies. Bronze. 67.9 mm. 144.5 grams. Julian CM-15. MS-65 BN (NGC).This has justifiably become an extremely popular U.S. Mint medal. There are only four bronze originals known making them not only prohibitively rare, but also prohibitively expensive as six-figures American medallic classics. This is one of just 86 struck from dies prepared by Charles Barber, copying clichés originally executed in Paris by Augustin Dupre for the adopted obverse and unadopted reverse made available to him in 1875. Elizabeth Bryant Johnston, writing in A Visit to the Cabinet of the United States Mint at Philadelphia, 1876, noted, the reproduction by C. Barber is finely executed, and the bronzing exceptionally beautiful. This piece also shows beautifully preserved orange-mahogany bronzing, is lightly reflective in the fields and has no apparent faults. Examples from Barbers fine 1876 copy dies enjoy great demand and are rightfully prized, especially in the fine condition seen here. Recent price records have been steadily increasing. Certainly the equal, if not superior, to the NGC-65 BN that we sold in March 2017 for $3,995. A beauty that has been in only three collections since 1983, and appreciated in all.From the Downing Collection. Earlier from Johnson & Jensens Sale #263, December, 1983, lot 1070; R.M. Smythe & Co.s <st1:city w:st=on>Sale</st1:city> #274, October, 2007, lot 1491.
