1859 Mint Director James Ross Snowden Medal. By Anthony C. Paquet. Julian MT-3. White Metal. MS-61 PL (NGC). 80 mm. An exciting offering for the specialist. Although white metal impressions from these dies are listed in Julian, they are exceedingly rare and seldom offered. In fact, this is only the second example of MT-3 in this fabric that we have handled in recent memory. The first was offered as lot 5533 in our October 2005 Atlanta Sale. Both that piece and the present example exhibit oxidation, which is more extensive here, especially on the two central corners of the Philadelphia Mint building in the center of the reverse and around much of the rim on that side. Lesser oxidation is evident on the obverse rim, and a few speckles are also scattered about elsewhere on both sides, most notably on Snowdens forehead. The nose is a little flat, as often seen, and wispy hairlines on both sides are also similar to those seen on the Atlanta Sale specimen. Eye appeal is strong, however, the surfaces generally bright silver-gray with semi-reflective fields and satiny design elements. Sure to sell for a strong bid to an astute collector of U.S. Mint medals.