Circa 1800 Repub. Ameri. medal. Musante GW-62, Baker-69. Copper. MS-64 BN (PCGS).32.9 mm. 308.2 grains. Another superb Repub. Ameri. copper, this being the later style struck from the same reverse die, here paired with a new obverse die with Washington’s vital dates added beneath the bust in place of the date. The surfaces are rich chocolate brown with traces of pale blue, while some lingering original red remains in the reverse recesses. Boldly prooflike and very attractive. Easily among the nicest we have seen in recent years. Almost no marks of any kind, though a few tiny voids are noted and seem to relate to roughness in the original planchet that did not strike out. Even so, the details are sharply defined. While this piece has historically been assigned a vintage of circa 1870, we know that these appeared in sales in the early 1860s, at least, and suspect that they do in fact represent a contemporary correction of the obverse die to reflect Washington’s passing. This piece is the Musante plate.Ex William Spohn Baker Collection, to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania by bequest, November 15, 1897.
