Washington Before Boston medal. Fourth Paris Mint issue(ca. 1845-1860). First Issued “Original” Obverse / Third Issued Reverse. MusanteGW-09-P3, Baker-48F. Silver. Pointing Hand and ARGENT on edge. Mint State.<p>68.3 mm, 2423.1 grains. A very beautiful specimen of this middle 19th-century iteration of the Washington Before Boston medal. The surfaces are light silver gray with soft mottling of rose, blue and champagne gold across both sides. The fields are sharply reflective and contrast nicely with the lustrous satin frost of the motifs. A few minor hairlines are noted, but there are no marks worthy of mention otherwise. What appears to be a gentle rim bump on the reverse at 6:00 is as made, and resulted from application of the Paris Mint mark on the edge. <p><p><p> <p>The rarely seen silver impressions of this vintage are particularly desirable, since the original silver impressions have become so valuable as to have priced most collectors out of the chance to own one. An early restrike, such as offered here, is thus an important opportunity to acquire this impressive and historic medal in this most desired composition, while the complementary quality and superb aesthetic appeal virtually guarantee satisfaction for even the most fastidious of collectors. It has been two decades since we last handled this piece and it is just impressive now as it was then.<p>From the Collection of Marc McDonald. Earlier ex NASCA, April 1981, lot 1846; Lucien LaRiviere, Bowers and Merena, November 1999, lot3032; John W. Adams Collection, via John Kraljevich, circa 2013.<p>
