Circa 1840 Eight Presidents medal. Original impression with signature of William H. Bridgens. Musante GW-153, Baker-221D. White Metal. Uncirculated Details—Rim Damage (PCGS).46.2 mm. 538.6 grains. Pierced for suspension just inside the rim at 12:00. Bright throughout and with strikingly reflective surfaces within the fields of the eight portrait medallions on the obverse, as well as through the entirety of the reverse field. Frosty on the motifs in nice contrast. Small obverse rim nick at 9:00. Without the piercing, we would venture to claim this as the single most important example of the Eight Presidents medal as it is an extremely rare original impression with the signature of Bridgens on the lower reverse. This appears close to the rim as "W.H. BRIDGENS" just left of the wreath bow, and "NEW.YORK." to the right. In fact, we are aware of only one other appearance of this original variant in our sales, an unpierced one that included a fitted wooden box, apparently of the period. All others seen have been without Bridgens signature and were clearly struck from a later state of the dies. Aside from the piercing, the quality overall of this piece is outstanding and far superior to the other one seen. In comparison to the typical white metal restrikes, it is much more sharply executed, with excellent clarity through the tiny letters of the reverse legend, crisp definition of the fine wreath elements and with well developed rims. That this one was selected by Bushnell for his cabinet speaks to the remarkable quality. As his period of collecting commenced just after the making of the restrikes, he might well have had firsthand knowledge passed down to him of the history of the piece and the vintage of his own specimen. These details seem to have been lost to history, so today we must rely upon what the medal itself tells us, namely that this original impression is the rarest variant of the Eight Presidents medal, without question. This is the Musante plate piece. The Baker number on the edge in red.Ex Charles I. Bushnell, S.H. and H. Chapman, June 1882, lot 1346; William Spohn Baker Collection, to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania by bequest, November 15, 1897.
