Undated (1883) Si Quaeris Monumentum Circumspice Medal. Musante GW-208, Baker-96. Bronzed Copper. Specimen-62 (PCGS). 64 mm. A handsome example of this eagerly sought, yet seldom encountered Washington medallic type. Sharply struck, both sides are also fully lustrous with a soft satin texture. Mahogany-brown patina dominates the in hand appearance, especially on the reverse, the obverse with underlying autumn-brown a bit more prevalent. Wispy flyspecks and a few trivial handling marks on the latter side limit the grade, but hardly affect the visual appeal of this impressive piece. The dies that struck this medal appeared in the Bushnell sale as lots 2813 and 2841, respectively. The Chapmans commented at lot 2813 that the obverse was in perfect condition, though seven medals had been struck from it. This was in error, as seven examples of the Born in Virginia medal (GW-204) were reported struck, as well as three Tomb medals (GW-206), which were also sold in Bushnell. For the reverse die it was stated that no pieces were known to have been struck from it. The Chapmans would change that landscape, buying both dies in the sale (along with several others) and issuing this medal from them. When they offered the new muling for sale, their announcement also changed the record of the number of prior impressions from the obverse die to 10. Per their own statement in their December 1895 Richard Winsor Collection sale, just 24 examples of this medal were struck. They are impressive and highly desired, but very rarely offered. This is only our second offering for GW-208 in recent memory, in fact, the first being the William Spohn Baker Collection specimen in PCGS Specimen-65 that realized $5,520 in our November 2019 Baltimore Auction.
