(1859) Silver Medal Baker-72, Sansom Medal

Coin Details

Auction Record

$2,640 MS66 11-21-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

The Sansom Medal restrike in silver, cataloged as Baker-72, was produced circa 1859 using either the original John Reich dies or faithful copy dies created from the originals. The Sansom Medal, first struck in 1797-1807, is one of the cornerstone pieces of Washington numismatics, depicting Washington's retirement from the presidency on the reverse with the Cincinnatus imagery of the general returning to his plow. By the late 1850s, the growing popularity of coin and medal collecting in America had created sufficient demand for restrikes of important historical medals. The 1859 restrike in silver is distinguished from the 1807 original by subtle die characteristics reflecting the additional half-century of use or remaking. Silver restrikes are themselves scarce, as most restrike production focused on the more affordable bronze composition. The obverse presents Washington's right-facing bust in civilian dress, executed with the refined neoclassical style that made Reich's work among the finest Washington portraits in the American medallic canon. This restrike represents an important collecting opportunity for those seeking a silver example of the Sansom Medal without the extreme rarity and cost of the 1807 original.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Silver restrikes are considerably rarer than bronze restrikes but more available than the 1807 originals. Auction appearances occur with moderate frequency.

Cross References

Baker-72; Julian PR-1; Musante GW-58; PCGS #527122