1800 Hero of Freedom Medal. Musante GW-81, Baker-79A. White Metal. Plain edge. VF-30 (PCGS).38.5 mm. 302.2 grains. Fairly even medium pewter gray surfaces on both sides. A few scattered marks are visible under magnification but there is little that could distract the eye beyond a few trivial rim marks. This is both typical and perfectly acceptable for a white metal piece of this grade. In fact, the overall smoothness and lack of damage on a soft metal piece with this degree of wear is rather remarkable. Though called “scarce” by Musante, and not given any particular rarity qualifiers in the Rulau-Fuld revision of Baker, this is the first example in white metal the present writer recalls having seen in more than two decades. During this time, the incredible collections of the Norweb family and William Spohn Baker crossed the desk, not to mention other specialized collections such as LaRiviere, Wharton and the Patriot Collection. The Rulau-Fuld listing cites Wayte Raymond’s 1941 study, <em>The Early Medals of Washington</em>, which lists this in bronze and tin, but no reference seems to point to a known example. It is extremely rare.From the E Pluribus Unum Collection.
