1800 Washington Funeral medal. Skull and Crossbones. Musante GW-71 (Dies 1-A1), Baker-165A. Silver. AU-53 (PCGS).29.0 mm. 122.5 grains. A single Skull and Crossbones medal sets any collection of Washington medals apart, but the inclusion of <em>two</em> is really only seen in the greatest collections. Mottled obverse surfaces are medium to dark gray with faint highlights of pastel green and golden brown seen under magnification. The reverse is significantly lighter, with soft gold and rose accents over the silver surface. A trace of original reflectivity remains in the reverse fields, which in itself points to the excellent quality. A few tiny marks are scattered about, and the strike is just a hair softer than seen on the one offered above, but this in no way speaks to an inferior piece as this one is quite lovely.<p>While the Skull and Crossbones motif is generically thought of as simply reflecting death, piracy or danger, there is quite a bit more meaning behind it. It seems to have become a commonly used symbol in the late Middle Ages. One religious context was as a reminder that regardless of one’s earthly station, death can always be relied upon, so the mortal should take care to conduct himself properly during life.Ex William Spohn Baker Collection, to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania by bequest, November 15, 1897
