Circa 1838 Cercle Britannique or Heroes of Liberty medal. Original, Plain edge. Musante GW-149, Baker-196. Bronze. SP-64 (PCGS).51.2 mm. 1056.8 grains. Rich chocolate and olive brown with satiny devices and good reflectivity in the fields. Soft blue and violet iridescence is seen through the fields on both sides. A few small spots are noted, mostly on the obverse, while a tiny scratch is seen at Washington’s chin. This is a classic Washington medal that is actually quite scarce. On average, perhaps one example appears for sale annually. It would seem that some of these were sold into non-numismatic hands as they are occasionally harshly cleaned or in otherwise rough condition. This one is a fine exception with excellent eye appeal and quality overall.<p>According to Musante, these medals were conceived in response to the passing of LaFayette in 1834, but they did not appear for sale in the Paris Mint’s catalog until 1838. There are two distinct variants of the medals, those with plain edges (as here) called “originals” and those with a Paris Mint privy mark indicating a very slightly later vintage (see next). It is not uncommon for these pieces to appear for sale without specification as to the precise vintage. This is probably because owning an example is considered more important than which decade it was struck in, particularly since those marked and those unmarked seem to be separated only by a couple of years.<p>Either this specimen or the next was Charles Bushnell’s, as Baker bought one in in lot 1367 of that sale, and no notation was made as to the edge marking or lack thereof. While the Chapman catalog noted that it was plated, the image did not make it onto the plate, so there is no way to be sure which piece was his. It is an unfortunate missing provenance link for a fine medal like this.Ex William Spohn Baker Collection, to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania by bequest, November 15, 1897.
