1776 (ca. 1851) Declaration of Independence Medal. By Charles Cushing Wright. Musante GW-181, Baker-53. Struck Bronze. Specimen-64 (PCGS). 90.8 mm. 5941.1 grains. This is the second time we have been able to offer an example of this important medal in a three-year time span, the last being the Historical Society of Pennsylvania specimen sold in November 2019. More significant is the fact that we have sold only three different examples in the last 15 years, including this one, and that frequency of appearance is much more in line with what is expected for this rare medal. We are delighted to be offering this specimen for the second time. It is from one of the greatest cabinets of Washington medals ever formed, that of the Norweb family, and was part of our final presentation from that landmark collection, in November 2006. When we sold it then, we described it in part:<p><em>"One of the most important medals in the Washington series, an artistic masterwork whose design has been incorporated into everything from wall plaques to serving trays. Lovely medium brown surfaces retain lustre and some reflectivity, smooth and nicely preserved. The detail is fully struck and unworn-unusual on such a high relief medal -- and the visual appeal is superb. Some minor spots are noted in the lower left obverse, thin vertical scratch behind Washingtons head, a single tiny scuff on the back of Washingtons head hidden amidst his hair, rim nick near 1:00 on the reverse."</em><p>To this we would add that traces of soft blue and violet iridescence have formed through some areas of the fields. For such a large and heavy medal, the condition is superb.<p>An extremely rare piece, Rulau estimated just five or six known. In the Ford sale, Michael Hodder agreed in essence with his estimate that "there are probably fewer than 10 of these solid medals surviving today." We are aware of nine specimens, and the few that have sold at auction in recent years have consistently realized in excess of $40,000. The details of this medal make it clear why many consider it Charles Cushing Wrights greatest achievement. The obverse bust, taken from Houdon, is expressive and beautifully rendered in high relief. The reverse depiction of the presentation of the Declaration of Independence, after Trumbulls monumental canvas accomplished ca. 1817 for the U.S. Capitol, is remarkably detailed down to the individual faces and other attributes. A thin die crack on that side, from near the center through John Adams head and Benjamin Franklins wrist, undoubtedly contributed to the rarity of the medal today, yet the dies survived and were kept by Wright through his lifetime. They were sold in Thomas Elders December 1913 sale. The lot included the obverse and reverse dies, the secondary reverse featuring the harbor scene and 18 lines of text, an obverse portrait hub and collar. All five items were in Wrights own custom fitted box. Most collectors will have to make do with one of the occasionally seen electrotype copies, which are desirable enough to make them fairly valuable, but few will ever be able to own one of these extraordinary medals. As noted previously, we are aware of nine solid bronze specimens, as offered here. They tend to only appear when truly landmark collections are sold.<p>As we wrote in our 2019 offering, "it is said that it took him [C.C. Wright] two years to complete the dies for this medal, and that just ten examples were struck from them." Considering that we know of nine survivors, it would seem that these were recognized as special from the time of their creation, and they tended to be thoughtfully cared for by those who acquired them. The first public appearance we are aware of was in the February 1859 Augustus B. Sage sale of the Henry Bogert Collection, where it was commented that "this is undoubtedly, the finest medal ever cut in this country." From the E Pluribus Unum Collection. Earlier from the collection of Godfrey Weiners; Parke Bernets sale of the Godfrey A.S. Weiners Collection, October 1960, lot 154; Emery May Norweb; our (Stacks) sale of the Norweb Collection, November 2006, lot 2046.
