1798 Washington Seasons medal. The Home. Musante GW-69, Baker-172, Julian IP-52. Silver. AU-50 (PCGS).48.2 mm (without the loop). 710.4 grains. Original integral suspension loop intact. Light bluish gray toning over much of the obverse, with a small area of rosy golden brown at the upper left and in some of the intricacies of the design. The reverse is light silver gray with just a hint of faint champagne toning around the devices and pale blue close to the rims. This is very similar to the appearance of the other silver Seasons medals from the Baker cabinet, indicative of their long stay together. This piece, as noted above, is among the very rare examples to have been awarded, worn, and yet still have its original suspension loop intact. Indeed, there are numerous small nicks, fine scratches and even gentle edge bumps, but the loop held firm through it all. As with the silver <em>Sower</em> above, this was also struck from the early state reverse die and the commentary regarding the Cherokee in that lot applies here as well. It is impossible to decipher the precise history of course, but the possibility and evidence that this medal may have specifically fulfilled a direct promise and wish of Washington is an intriguing one. Lightly cleaned as typical, but suggestions of the original reflectivity remain. Sharp, attractive and at least as desirable as it is rare. As our auction archives reveal, we have not sold a silver example of the <em>Home</em> medal with the original hanger in more than a decade. In fact, we have only sold one in silver in that time, and it was a collector piece. For a purist collector of the Indian Peace medal series who desires the ideal awarded specimen, this might be the chance of a lifetime. The last time we had any silver Seasons medal with a hanger was in the October 2006 Ford sale, where a lovely late die state <em>Shepherd</em> sold for $57,500, and an apparently early or middle die state <em>Sower</em> brought $37,375.<p>The fact that the three designs of the Seasons medals correspond with Washington’s three different suggested goals for the advancement of the Cherokee raises an interesting question: Were the various designs awarded for advancements in the areas they depict? Did the family who learned to spin wool receive the <em>Home</em>, whereas the farmer who expanded his crops get the <em>Sower</em>? It is an intriguing question, but like so many, it’s one that is unlikely to meet with an answer.Ex William Spohn Baker Collection, to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania by bequest, November 15, 1897.
