Circa 1858 Sansom medal. Presidency Relinquished. Original dies. Late impression. Musante GW-58, Baker-71, Julian PR-1. Silver. SP-63 (PCGS).40.6 mm. 547.8 grains. Deep gray toning on the obverse has a slight bluish tint and traces of soft green and gold under close inspection. The reverse is lighter as it was better protected in the cabinet. Soft pastel violet and blue mottling is seen through the fields while just the rims are faintly golden. Otherwise, the remaining silver surface is mostly bright. A little hairlined which is most evident in the reflective fields, while the devices are satiny except for the highest points that have taken on a bit of light rub.<p>Struck from the original circa 1805 dies, but probably struck in the mid to late 1850s to fill growing collector demand for his historic medal. The late state pieces are easily identified as both dies are heavily pitted from rust—apparently having been long neglected. As a result, the finished medals appear encrusted with rough bubbles and lumps of metal. They are rather interesting to study and make for enjoyable comparison to the early state pieces. They are also virtually <em>always</em> seen in bronzed copper. As remarkable as it is to have two of the very rare original-dies Presidency Relinquished medals in a sale, it is perhaps even more so to have this late state example. It is easily the rarest of the pair, as we do not recall having seen another example in this late state struck in silver. One of these in silver appeared in W. Elliot Woodward’s October 1864 sale, identified quite clearly as a late state original.Ex William Spohn Baker Collection, to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania by bequest, November 15, 1897
