(1862) Bronzed-Copper Medal J-PR-26, George Washington

Coin Details

Auction Record

$264 MS63BN 03-25-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

This bronzed copper medal of George Washington is cataloged as Julian PR-26, a companion piece to the better-known PR-27 "Time Increases His Fame" medal. The PR-26 represents a distinct entry in the Julian catalog with its own design characteristics, produced at the Philadelphia Mint during the Civil War era in 1862. The obverse features a bust of Washington that may differ in style or die from the PR-27 version, reflecting the multiple portrait interpretations of the first president that the Mint produced over the decades. Washington's image was rendered by virtually every engraver who served at the Philadelphia Mint, from the earliest days of Robert Scot through the work of Christian Gobrecht, James B. Longacre, and William Barber. The 1862 production date places this medal during a period of intense medallic activity at the Philadelphia Mint, when the Civil War generated both patriotic fervor and renewed interest in medals honoring the nation's founders. Washington's image took on particular resonance during the conflict, as both sides claimed his legacy and principles in support of their respective causes. The bronzed copper composition — copper treated with a chemical bronzing process to create a uniform dark brown surface — was the standard production medium for Mint medals intended for collector sale during this period. This treatment provided an aesthetically pleasing finish that also offered some protection against the green verdigris corrosion that can affect untreated copper.

Rarity Notes

Moderately scarce. Original 1862 bronzed copper strikings are less common than later restrikes. The Julian PR-26 is somewhat less well-known than the PR-27 but equally significant to medal specialists.

Cross References

Julian PR-26 (Bronzed-Cu); related to Julian PR-27