1796 (i.e. early 19th century) Castorland Medal. Copper. Breen-1063, W-9140. Original dies. Medal turn. MS-62 BN (PCGS).100.4 grains. 31.9 mm. 0.7 - 1.0 mm thick. Reeded edge with square, even reeds. A very unusual piece, struck from a die state soon after this reverse began to crack, with a thin crack from the denticle above S in PARENS and light buckling in the field below. A buckled crease extends to near the top of the tree in the upper right reverse field. The spalling around the basin handle looks both less prominent and less widespread here than on an earlier state, suggestive of the die receiving lapping or smoothing in that area. The surfaces are glossy chocolate brown with scattered dark verdigris. Multiply struck, with extension seen in the denticles on both sides. This is the first thin planchet Castorland of this generation your cataloger can recall seeing.<p><p>From the E Pluribus Unum Collection.
