1805 Eccleston medal. Musante GW-88, Baker-85A. Bronze, Fire Gilt. SP-60 (PCGS). 75.9 mm. 2203.0 grains. Pleasing light yellow gold surfaces with some minor losses of the gilding exposing the deep chocolate brown bronze on the highest points of the design. A few scattered small nicks in the fields and along the rims reveal the same internal composition, but most of the surface is pleasantly intact. Light handling is evident throughout, and there are series of fine scratches in the fields seen under magnification. Boldly struck, as typical of the issue, and in a relatively early die state. The reverse is cracked through the right of the central medallion, connecting the letters S OURS, but the break does not form a large lump at the lower border of the medallion as seen on later state medals. Additionally, there is no small rim cud over THE at 9:00. Mild porosity that was not struck out of the cast flan is seen on both sides, another typical Eccleston medal feature. <p> <p>Until the appearance of this example, all of the fire gilt Ecclestons we have records of have exhibited three secret punch marks that we first published in our November 2019 sale of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania sale at lot 20076. As discussed there, the punch marks are as follows: <p> <p><strong>Obverse:</strong> A tiny triangular punch in the truncation next to the engravers name, WEBB.<p><strong>Reverse:</strong> A small circular punch within the space formed between the Indians body and the (viewers) right arm.<p><strong>Reverse: </strong>A small square punch beneath the exergual line of the central medallion.<p> <p>Close study of this piece reveals a tiny, distinctively triangular punch on the obverse, just right of the designers name, but it is somewhat lightly applied. Other similar marks are noted in the vicinity. One of the small marks in the right obverse field looks like a square punch, as seen on the reverses of the other marked specimens. If these are intentional, they are inexplicably erratic in their application, especially when compared to the regularity of the punches seen on other gilt pieces and the few very rare bronzes bearing the same marks. It is our assumption that these are anomalies and that this is an "unmarked" specimen. It is one of just nine fire-gilt specimens we are aware of. A rare format for one of the most impressive early Washington medals. <em>From the E Pluribus Unum Collection.</em><strong><em></em></strong>
