(ca. 1879) Silver Medal GW-60A - The Large Sansom Medal

Coin Details

Description

Cataloged as Baker 73 and Musante GW-60A, this silver striking of the Large Sansom Medal was produced circa 1879 during a period of heightened interest in Washington memorabilia coinciding with the centennial era. The "Large" Sansom Medal is a scaled-up version of the original Sansom Medal design, providing an expanded canvas for the artistic details that made the original one of the most admired Washington medallic portraits. Joseph Sansom, a Philadelphia merchant and connoisseur, commissioned the original medal design around 1806-1807, and it became one of the most celebrated artistic interpretations of Washington's likeness in the medal format, praised for its sensitive and naturalistic rendering of Washington's features. The silver composition of this circa-1879 striking indicates a premium production intended for serious collectors during a period when the approaching centennial of Washington's inauguration (1889) and the ongoing centennial of the Revolution were generating sustained demand for Washington-related numismatic material. Rare in silver, the Large Sansom Medal is very scarce across all compositions, but silver examples are particularly sought after because the precious metal enhances the portrait's detail and gives the medal the gravitas appropriate to its artistic ambition. The GW-60A designation distinguishes the large format from the original-size Sansom Medal cataloged under different numbers, and the Baker 73 cross-reference connects it to the older standard reference for Washington medals.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Silver large Sansom Medals are very scarce.

Cross References

Baker 73; Musante GW-60A