Circa 1880 Series Numismatica Medal by John R. Bacon. Musante GW-101, Baker-130 var. Copper. SP-64 (PCGS). 41.0 mm. 508.5 grains. Lovely milk chocolate brown with a trace of faded red lingering close to the obverse rim. Pleasantly glossy on the reliefs while the fields exhibit faint prooflike character. A couple of superficial spots are noted for accuracy but have virtually no impact on this delightful medal. Unusual, very pretty, and with little handling to speak of. <p><p><p>We have seen other medals from these dies with either the ships prow or pointing hand privy marks from the Paris Mint, dating those pieces to the era between 1844 and 1860. This medal features the cornucopia edge mark and the word BRONZE, dating it to 1880, the latest example of this medal we recall having examined. Regardless of the later vintage, the medal shows no signs of notable die degradation, so it would seem the Paris Mint took good care of the steel and that the dies were used very sparingly. Notwithstanding the seemingly regular appearances of this medal in our sales of recent years, this is a scarce issue, and it is particularly desirable in bronze. Just one die pair has been observed for this issue. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex the David Hirsch Collection; Presidential Coin and Antique’s sale of June 2011, lot 1120.
