Undated (ca. 1860) Daniel Webster Medal. Bronzed Copper. 76.5 mm. Julian PE-37, var. Mint State. With inventory number 1361 inked on the edge between 5 and 6 oclock relative to the obverse. This is an intriguing piece struck from a variant reverse die with the legend extended the width of one or two letters to both the right and left. Additionally, a loupe reveals faint remnants of what appears to have been Charles Cushing Wrights "signature" C.C. WRIGHT. along the truncation of the bust. The first C and the final T are the only letters discernible. Handsome golden-brown patina t overall smooth, satiny surfaces. Wispy handling marks are minimal, traces of faint verdigris along the left edge and at the base of the column on the reverse hardly worth mentioning. Fully struck and visually appealing.Interestingly, virtually all examples of this type that we have offered in recent years were struck from the same reverse die represented here. Perhaps the reverse with the shorter legend plated in Julian is the variant die? As with Wrights Henry Clay medal (Julian PE-8), it is not known for certain whether this type was struck in the United States Mint.Daniel Webster joins Henry Clay as a memorable front-line 19th century politician who never had a bed in the White House. Webster, a native son of New Hampshire, decamped to Massachusetts where he gained great fame as a debater. Certain of his effects are treasured and preserved by the Massachusetts Historical Society.
