Circa 1800 Victor Sine Clade medal. Musante GW-76, Baker-164. White Metal. EF-45 (PCGS).56.0 mm. 1059.6 grains. Pierced for suspension at 12:00. Consistent light pewter gray across both sides. A pleasant smooth appearance with no serious marks or obvious defects immediately visible. The fields are slightly porous under magnification, and close study will reveal a few of the inevitable imperfections one would expect on a large medal in a soft composition that was intended to be worn. Small scratches are noted close to the back of Washington’s head, and a few other small abrasions and nicks are scattered about. The most serious marks on the reverse are at the R of WORLD, and have eliminated that letter from the legend. A fairly prominent collaring mark is seen on the edge at 9:00, while a small line delineating a slight difference in the plane of the edge is seen directly opposite, at 3:00. The collaring mark has been seen on by us on another specimen recently examined, and it was noted as being present on all three of the Ford collection medals.<p>As reported by Neil Musante, this medal, designed and struck in Newburyport, Massachusetts, was advertised for sale in the <em>Massachusetts Mercury</em> on February 11, 1800, perhaps intentionally corresponding to the Masonic funeral procession for Washington in Boston on that day. With the notice written to appeal to Masons specifically, beginning with “A National and Masonic Medal…,” and with sentiments running favorably during such a day of mourning, it might well have seemed the ideal day to announce such a medal. However, though the medals were made available in eight locations specified in the notice, it seems that precious few were sold, as the medal is very rare today. We have seen two or three examples with initials cut into the lower obverse, in identical style, such that they must have been done by the same hand. Perhaps one of the sellers had the idea to offer this crude personalization at the point of sale. Both the Gilbert Steinberg medal and the one that appeared in our October 2018 sale bear these engravings, directly tying them to a single place and time.<p>The few survivors tend to be either roughly handled, or very nice, the latter being almost never available. Steinberg’s was holed and considerably worn, while the one at Mount Vernon is perhaps the roughest we have seen. LaRiviere’s was very pleasing and not holed. The currently offered piece is ideally preserved. It was pierced for suspension and perhaps worn at one or more of the memorial celebrations, and yet it was apparently put away shortly thereafter. It is notable that Charles Bushnell owned it, as he was known to seek the highest quality specimens.Ex Charles I. Bushnell, S.H. and H. Chapman, June 1882, lot 1310; William Spohn Baker Collection, to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania by bequest, November 15, 1897.
