"1789" (ca. 1792) Washington Born Virginia Copper. Legend Reverse.

"1789" (ca. 1792) Washington Born Virginia Copper. Legend Reverse. Musante GW-33, Baker-60, W-10730. Second Reverse. Copper. Plain Edge. VF-35 (PCGS). This is a respectable example of this challenging type that delivers universally bold detail throughout the design. Even the central reverse is clearly defined with all four digits in both dates and the surrounding letters in AMERICAN, RESIGNED, and PRESIDENT fully outlined and clear. Centering is also above average for the type, words BORN VIGINIA just a bit tight to the right obverse border, lower reverse border trivially into the bottoms of the letters U in UNITED and the second S in STATES. The surfaces are microscopically rough and show some curious underlying gloss that suggests an old cleaning, but both sides have retoned naturally and attractively in rich copper-rose and olive-charcoal. Scattered marks and nicks include a few faint pin scratches in the lower left obverse field and behind Washington's forehead, although no other blemishes are worthy of individual attention. Among the somewhat scarcer Washington Guide Book types and one that is almost always seen in grades below VF, with the central reverse so weak that much of the legend is often smooth or close to it. In contrast, a small group of superb Mint State examples survives, but are out of reach to most collectors due to their very high price points. Very little is to be found in the middle ground of quality between these two extremes. In PCGS Choice VF with superior central strike detail on the reverse, as related above, this is among the nicer mid-grade examples we have seen. These were clearly placed into circulation, as evidenced by the commonly seen degree of wear. Were this primarily intended as a commemorative medal, more of the known pieces would be Mint State or very high grade, but only a handful can be considered so fine. Further setting these apart from other Washington Guide Book types is the significant historic fact that these are American-made, not English, engraved and struck by Jacob Perkins in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Provenance: From the Emerald Coast Collection. Earlier from Heritage's FUN Signature Auction of January 2007, lot 60109. PCGS# 723. NGC ID: 2B79. Click here for certification details from PCGS.

Estimate:£0.74

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