1799 (ca. 1922) "Vermeil Mint" Medal. Bronze. 76.3 mm. By George T. Morgan. Baker-174LF. About Uncirculated. Little is known about this rare George Washington medal, but the MORGAN signature on the truncation of the bust indicates that the obverse die was produced before 1925 when George T. Morgan, still working at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia at that time, died. The distinctive sandblasted finish is also similar to that applied at the Philadelphia Mint during the 20s and 30s. The reverse utilizes the design of the Mints Indian Peace medals, originally issued under various presidents during the 1800s, but which were still being produced for collectors at that time. We suspect that this medal was produced at the U.S. Mint in the 1920s or 1930s, perhaps in connection with the end of World War One, or for the Bi-Centennial of Washingtons birth in 1932. But given the rarity of specimens, the types production run seems to have been short lived. The present specimen exhibits a light obverse die crack running vertically through Washingtons portrait, which may indicate early die breakage, resulting in few examples being produced. More research is certainly needed to solve this mystery.
