Circa 1819 Series Numismatica Medal by Vivier. WASHINGTON. Musante GW-98, Baker-132. Copper, Bronzed. Plain edge. SP-66 (PCGS). <p>40.8 mm. 576.4 grains. Beautiful dark chocolate and mahogany brown surfaces are gently mottled and accented by soft blue and rose iridescence. Well struck in very high relief, with superb definition on the highest points. Just one tiny flat spot on the highest hair curl is noted. Prooflike through the fields and satiny on the devices, without any evidence of handling that would be worth mentioning. Easily among the nicest we have seen and an early die state example without the crack from Washington’s brow.<p><p><p>This is a seemingly under-appreciated issue that is more complex than collectors have realized. Baker noted the existence of a minor die variety in 1885, observing under his entry for B-132, “a variety of this piece with very slight differences, is noted in the Appleton Catalogue.” This detail seems to have been overlooked by Rulau, Fuld and Musante. In fact, the present writer is aware of four different obverse dies for this issue, with WASHINGTON spelled correctly. This is from the die pair most frequently encountered, and it seems to be the earliest version. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Purchased from Presidential Coin and Antique, via eBay, March 2006.
