Circa 1830 Series Numismatica medal by Vivier. WASINGTON. Musante GW-100, Baker-131. Bronze. Plain edge. MS-63 (PCGS).41.3 mm. 709.7 grains. This piece appears to be struck in a lighter olive bronze alloy, rather than bearing the deep mahogany bronzed tones as seen on the medal above. Lightly hairlined with a few scattered spots, but still pleasing. Baker had assumed that the spelling “WASINGTON” was a die error that was later corrected and thus ordered these medals accordingly. However, Musante has shown that this is actually the later iteration. He wrote that the production of the medals was moved from Paris to Munich in 1826, and that most of the medals struck there are so-indicated by MONACHII on the edge. Production later returned to Paris and ended in 1846. The spelling “WASINGTON” was pointed out by Musante to be a Germanic one, corresponding to the production commencing in Germany. That some are not marked on the edge suggests that perhaps production with the German dies simply continued in Paris after the operation was returned to France, or that the edge mark was deemed unnecessary before striking ended in Germany. The lack of any Paris Mint privy mark would suggest the latter. The heavier planchet seen on this variant is consistent with others noted with this obverse and may prove a clue as to the place of production.Ex William Spohn Baker Collection, to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania by bequest, November 15, 1897.
