1799 (1800) Washington Funeral Urn Medal. Musante GW-70, Baker-166C, Dies 1-B. White Metal. MS-61 (PCGS).29.2 mm. Pierced for suspension at 12 oclock, as all seen. Lovely light pewter-gray with rich luster around the devices and legends and the faintest patination in the fields. Superb eye appeal, with only the most trivial pesting on the reverse and a few scattered hairlines and marks consistent with the grade. The dies for these medals were cut by Jacob Perkins of Newburyport, Massachusetts, and the pieces were struck in early 1800 in preparation for the February 22nd civic funeral procession in Boston. There are at least six die combinations known, suggestive of a large production and they seem to have been distributed widely. However, in all metals but gold they are often seen in hard worn to Very Fine condition, or so. White metal pieces are often pested and deep gray, with other impairments in the soft metal. All are highly desired and pieces as nicely preserved as this one are very much prized.PCGS# 410788.From Presidential Coin and Antique Co., Inc.s Token and Medal Auction #45, December 1988, lot 21; Charles A. Wharton Collection; our sale of the Charles A. Wharton Collection, March 2014 Baltimore Auction, lot 2145. PCAC lot tag included.
