1883 George Washington of Virginia Medal. Massamore Restrike. Musante GW-352R, Baker-64A. Silver. MS-62 (PCGS). 34.2 mm. 638.4 grains. Mostly light gray silver with soft mottled toning though the recesses of the designs and outlining the letters of the legends. Some light rub and a couple of small rim nicks suggests a piece that was carried a bit as a memento, yet enough original surface texture remains to reveal remnants of prooflike character. A rather impressive medal, due in part to the very thick flans on which these were made. According to coin dealer George Massamore, who is credited with having these struck, 21 medals were produced in each of the three compositions, silver, copper and brass, on January 11, 1883. As such, a silver piece is not any rarer than any other composition (aside from the unique gold specimen struck for Garrett), but it is always most in demand and generally carries a healthy premium over others. From the E Pluribus Unum Collection.
