1834 American Eagle medal. Musante GW-147, Baker-55. White Metal. Plain edge. MS-62 (PCGS).49.9 mm. Attractive light gray surfaces shimmer with luster on this unusually nice example. Just a trace of faint olive toning is seen in places, most notably left of Washington’s portrait, beneath the truncation and to the left and right of the eagle’s head. One small dark spot is nestled beneath the scroll on the reverse, right against the rim. A superbly executed example with bold sharpness throughout. All of the finest parts of the legend are crisp and JULY 4, 1776, a common weak point at the base of the scroll, is fully defined. One small void right of the scroll is <em>as made</em>.<p>Signed J.H.H. beneath the bust, for John H. Henning who apparently engraved this as a memorial to the first seven American presidents, but added General Lafayette after he died on May 20th. That Lafayette would be added to such a medal is quite a testament to how he was viewed half a century after the Revolution, and a decade after his triumphant return visit to the United States.Ex William Spohn Baker Collection, to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania by bequest, November 15, 1897.
