Washington Before Boston medal. Fourth Paris Mint issue(ca. 1860-1879). First Issued “Original” Obverse / Third Issued Reverse. Musante GW-09-P3, Baker-48G. Bronze. Large-size Bee and CUIVRE on edge. Choice Mint State.<p>68.5 mm, 2532 grains. Delightful light chocolate brown with a faint olive tone throughout and highlights of attractive violet, blue and gold toning in the fields. Pleasing prooflike character contrasts nicely with the satiny and lustrous devices. Some scattered, very superficial spotting is noted and a couple of deeper patina spots reveal this to be the plate piece for Russell Rulau and George Fuld’s 1999 revision of William Baker’s <em>Medallic Portraits of Washington. </em>No serious marks are noted but close inspection reveals that someone long ago seems to have taken a pin to a couple of the tiny spots. These efforts have long-since toned over and the eye appeal is quite excellent. <p><p><p> <p>Close study of the four medals here with the Bee privy mark reveal three different styles of marks and three distinctly different die states. This is the earliest state among the four medals. Though the edge marking is from a different, larger punch than seen on the medal above, this is one of the two early die state examples of this fourth Paris Mint issue. The reverse field left of the leftmost officer is free of a pair of small die lines that later appear. Likewise, a long thin die line that later is visible through the STIB of HOSTIBUS is not yet present, nor is a small defect between the two leftmost officers. Sharp but thin die lines are seen beneath TON of BOSTONIUM and CUPER of RECUPERATUM.<strong><p></strong>From the Collection of Marc McDonald. Earlier ex eBay, circa 2010, from an unrecorded seller.<p>