Circa 1807 American Beaver medal. Musante GW-93, Baker-54A, Julian CM-4. Copper, Bronzed. SP-63 (PCGS).40.4 mm. 549.3 grains. Lustrous mahogany bronze with just a trace of light mottling in the fields. Satiny and pleasantly uniform. One small spot is seen at the base of Franklin’s coat, a few very tiny rim bumps are noted, and a slight abrasion is visible along Washington’s collar if one knows to look for it. No other marks are noted and the eye appeal is quite excellent.<p>While not believed to technically be part of Joseph Sansom’s intended series, this medal is intimately tied to it since the dies were both cut for Sansom and used in other marriages to strike medals for the History of the Revolution series. It is believed that this muling was created at the U.S. Mint on their own accord, without the participation of Sansom. Unlike the other medals properly in the Sansom series, this is not known to have ever been struck in silver. It is scarce and always in demand as an early U.S. Mint medal, but probably just as much for its distinctive design. The reverse bears the American beaver gnawing at the mighty English oak. As pointed out by Musante, a similar vignette was used on a Continental Currency $6 note of the series of May 6, 1776. That vignette bore the inscription, PERSEVERANDO, Latin for persevering. Perseverance is what the beaver must embrace to take down his tree, just as the soldiers at Washington’s winter camp at Valley Forge had to in order to realize their desired end.Ex William Spohn Baker Collection, to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania by bequest, November 15, 1897.