Lot 3304
1783. Washington Medal. Silver, 35.75 gr. 40 mm. Baker-57, Julian CM6. Sanson's Peace of 1783 Medal. Struck in 1805 at the U.S. Mint. The dies engraved, and presumeably designed by John Reich, assistant engraver at the U.S. Mint for the medal's publisher Joseph Sansom, a Philadelphia merchant. Obverse: Washington in military uniform facing left, R. at the truncation, with legend "G. Washington C.C.A.U.S. (i.e., Commander (in) Chief Armies (of the) United States"; Reverse: Date 1783 over an eagle with lightning bolts emanating from its talons, but holding a laurel branch in its beak, hovering on a portion of the globe shown as "United States." Fine 12, with many bagmarks on both sides and some tooling evident below the bust. Extremely Rare; Rulau-Fuld (Medallic Portraits of Washington 2nd Ed.) state that only 5 pieces are known.
A December 28, 1805 advertisement in Philadelphia's The United States Gazette offered the medals for sale, likely as a commemorative for Washington's military achievements and the 1783 Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War… "A medal worthy of the illustrious Washington has been executed in Philadelphia by a German artist (John Reich) upon the designs of a person of taste (Joseph Sansom), under the inspection of the Director of the Mint, the librarian of the Phiosophical Society, and other gentlemen of professional ability or acknowledged judgement. Proof impressions in gold and silver are now submitted to public examination at the book store of John Conrad & Co. where subscriptions will be received for the same. In gold 50 Dollars Silver at 5."
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500.
The Emile A. Tartakow Collection.
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| Realized $5,175 |
