1824 Lafayette Visit medalet. Silver. 14.3 mm. Musante GW-Unlisted, Baker-Unlisted. Very Fine.Lightly cleaned with faint hairlines visible under close inspection, though the surfaces have pleasantly toned back to soft bluish gray. A scattering of small nicks and scratches are also noted, and only a trace remains of what must have been an integral hanger at 12:00. Similar in theme and size to the famous Washington/Lafayette medalet offered above, but that is where the similarities end. The portraits are styled much differently on this piece, with expanded busts of more compact size. The legends are also expanded. The Washington side reads .GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON. around, with .1776. below. The Lafayette side reads GENERAL LAFAYETTE. 1776.1789.1824. It is also apparently far rarer, as this is the only example we have seen of this silver medalet. While clearly by a different hand than better known issues above, it seems very much related to the Lafayette countermark offered below. As discovered by Matt Orsini, director of our world and ancient coin department, close comparison of the portraits reveals that they are, in fact, identical. While this one is a full bust and clothed, and the one seen below features the head of Lafayette only, the faces and head styling are the same. These rarities are almost certainly by the same unidentified hand, and this two-sided struck piece is apparently unique.From the Q. David Bowers Collection. Purchased directly from Bowers and Merena Galleries, at an unspecified date.
