Circa 1805 Sansom medal. Presidency Relinquished. Original dies. Early impression. Musante GW-58, Baker-71, Julian PR-1. Silver. SP-63 (PCGS).40.5 mm. 448.7 grains. A beautifully toned specimen of this classic early U.S. Mint medal. The fields are boldly reflective and enhanced by the colorful patina which seems intensified by the mirrored finish. The obverse is pale gold and olive in the upper field, changing to mottled deep violet and greenish blue to the lower left and right of the bust. The reverse fields are even more colorful and more deeply toned with intense blue-green iridescence dominating, while deep golden red is seen in the central recesses. The devices are satiny deep gray and the overall surfaces have a somewhat smoky overtone from having been in Bakers cabinet so long. A few light hairlines and marks are noted in the fields and there is faint loss of patina on the highest points of each side. Still, the eye appeal is excellent. <p><p>Though rare in silver, this medal seems to have been struck in two distinct time frames. This is an early impression, likely from the first decade of the 19th century, though there is no collaring mark visible on the edge as there are on some pieces. It can be distinguished from significantly later impressions by the lack of obvious die rust. Comparison to the late state silver example in a following lot is valuable in this regard. <p><p>In October 2018, we sold one of these as part of Joseph Sansoms personal three-piece set of his "History of the Revolution" medals, alongside a Peace of 1783 medal, and Benjamin Franklin/American Beaver medal. The last one we sold on its own was a decade ago, when we presented the somewhat inferior Norweb specimen for a second time. <p><p>As was discussed in that sale, Joseph Sansom presented an example of this medal in silver to President Thomas Jefferson on March 25, 1807, and the letter that accompanied it still survives. It read, in part, as follows: "Respected friend, I beg leave to inclose (sic), for thy acceptance, a silver medal upon the retirement of Washington, which I flatter myself will meet thy approbation, as it has been executed by Reich-the head from a drawing of Stuart." This was a follow-up on the part of Sansom who had earlier presented Jefferson a silver example of the C.C.A.U.S. medal, for which he had an encouraging reply from Jefferson, himself a medal collector. Sansom later sent Jefferson a silver example of "a medal of Franklin" which was almost certain to have been that with the American Beaver reverse.<p><p>These presentations establish an order of completion for Sansoms series. <p><p>1.The C.C.A.U.S.-the first advertised and the first sent to Jefferson.<p>2.Presidency Relinquished-the second sent to Jefferson. <p>3.Franklin/American Beaver-the third sent to Jefferson. <p>4.Peace of 1783-this was not sent to Jefferson, but was included with numbers 2 and 3 above in Sansoms personal set of three medals, so we know Sansom had a personal hand in it.<p><p>The two additional medals using dies from this series are believed to have been mulings produced at the U.S. Mint and thus not really part of the series as Sansom planned it. The piece combining the Jugate bust obverse with the American Beaver is known to exist in silver and bronze. The one with Franklins bust to right paired with the Peace of 1783 reverse is only seen in bronze. <p>Ex William Spohn Baker Collection, to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania by bequest, November 15, 1897.