Circa 1845-1860 Series Numismatica medal by John R. Bacon. Musante GW-101, Baker-130. Copper, Bronzed. SP-65 (PCGS).41.1 mm. 534.9 grains. Pointing hand privy mark and CUIVRE on the edge indicates the given date range, a variant not listed in the Rulau-Fuld revision of <em>Medallic Portraits</em>. Lovely dark chocolate brown surfaces with traces of bright orange red at the tips of the obverse legend where the bronzed surface separated during the strike. Satiny on the devices and invitingly prooflike in the fields. A couple of tiny spots are noted on the obverse and there is a trivial abrasion on the highest point of the hair, but this piece is very attractive overall and rather scarce. The Baker number on the edge in red.<p>Per Musante’s research, John Bacon was commissioned to cut this new obverse die after production of the <em>Series Numismatica</em> medals was returned to France. As he noted that production concluded in 1846, it would seem that the Paris Mint privy mark seen on this piece dates it to the very end of the run, within the final year or two. Interestingly, the weight of this piece is more in line with that of the earlier Paris Mint strike above, suggesting that there might have been a bit of a weight standard adhered to in Paris, while the German production was heavier. More examples would need to be studied and weighed to verify this.Ex William Spohn Baker Collection, to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania by bequest, November 15, 1897.
