(1800) Bronze Medal Baker-81, Westwood,2nd Reverse

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,998 SP64 11-05-2015 Stack's Bowers

Description

The Westwood Medal with second reverse, cataloged as Baker-81, is a bronze medal from circa 1800 honoring George Washington. The Westwood Medal takes its name from its maker and features a portrait of Washington on the obverse paired with a distinctive second reverse die that differs from the primary reverse used on other Westwood Medal varieties. The medal was produced in England, in the Birmingham or London workshop tradition that generated numerous Washington-themed medallic pieces during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The second reverse die represents either a replacement for a worn or damaged original reverse or an intentional variety created to offer collectors and the market a new combination. English medal-makers of this period frequently paired obverse portrait dies with multiple reverse dies to extend the commercial life of their products and to create collectible varieties. The Westwood Medal is notable for its relatively accomplished portrait of Washington, which shows greater artistic refinement than many contemporary English-made Washington pieces. Bronze examples from the circa 1800 period are scarce, as production runs for these privately made medals were typically small and many pieces were subsequently lost to circulation or neglect.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. The second-reverse variety is less commonly encountered than other Westwood Medal combinations. Period bronze examples in presentable condition are difficult to locate.

Cross References

Baker-81; Musante GW-83; PCGS #539891