1799 (ca. 1800) Washington Funeral Urn Medal. Musante GW-70, Baker-166A, Fuld Dies 1-B. Rarity-6. Silver. AU-50 (PCGS). Neatly pierced for suspension, as usual. This handsome piece exhibits original surfaces toned in a blend of dusky sandy-silver and bolder steel-blue patina. Striking detail is universally sharp from a well executed strike, signs of handling minimal and confined to trivial rub and a few wispy, insignificant marks. These were produced in Newburyport, Massachusetts by the well-known engraver Jacob Perkins and are believed to have been distributed at or for the civic funeral procession held in Boston. However, there were numerous civic processions arranged for nearby cities, and these medals might well have figured into more than one official event, as numerous die combinations are known suggestive of a fairly large output. Still, they are probably just about as desirable today as they were in 1800, as no offering ever goes unnoticed and the values seem to have progressively climbed over the last several years. This is a particularly pleasing specimen at a highly desirable certified grade.
