A Medal that Changed the Course of US Numismatics

Regulated

This is one for the Classic Head and Capped Bust guys out there...

One of somewhere between five and ten known original Washington Sansom medals, engraved by John Reich. On February 25th of 1807, Sansom presented one of these to President Jefferson. Evidently, it made an impression, and on April 1st, 1807, Reich was appointed second engraver at the US Mint. He was responsible for the design of many iconic US coins, including the Classic Head and Capped Bust designs used on copper and silver coins starting 1807/1808.

lkeigwin

That's pretty cool. Impressive!

I wasn't familiar with it. Thanks for sharing.
Lance.

Regulated

The silver restrikes from 1857 are frequently at auction, but I don't recall the last original publicly offered.

cardinal

Here's a rare silver example of the J-CM-5 medal, thought to be the very first issue of the Sansom medals by John Reich:

Justacommeman

Where is the love button when you need it

m

Kove

Very interesting. Both medals above are awesome!

morgandollar1878

Very cool medal, thanks for sharing.

ldhair

Cool. I have never seen these.

Coin Finder

Love medals!!!!

Baley

They are both amazing, thank you for posting, I learned something new today

RichieURich

Great medals!!!

EXOJUNKIE

Both medals are totally drool-worthy!

cardinal

For those who, like Benjamin Franklin, prefer their medals struck in bronze:

dpoole

VERY impressive work. I wish he were around today.

LanLord

Wow just doesn't seem to convey my feelings, but it's all I can think of.

ricko

Those are really nice medals... and thanks for the background information.... Cheers, RickO

Jackthecat1

Thank you for the interesting medals and history lesson.

epcjimi1

Nice. Very, very nice. :Thumbsup

oih82w8

These are the types of coinage/medals that should REQUIRE TrueViews when passing through our host!

Magnificent!

garrynot

@cardinal said:
For those who, like Benjamin Franklin, prefer there medals struck in bronze:

Ben looks fatter in bronze lol.

23Pairer

Outstanding medals, thanks for sharing!

steveben

really nice.

Unknown

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Unknown

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Timbuk3

Thanks for sharing !!!

MedalCollector

SP62? Another example of why medals should not be graded on the 1 to 70 Sheldon scale like coins.

Though, specific grade does not distact from this piece in any way. Awesome medal. I would also like to see the reverse.

cardinal

Here's my example of the Medal, formerly from the Norweb Collection. This example is a later silver strike than the OP, and was produced from the original obverse die and a newly prepared reverse die:

While not precisely the same medal as the OP, it does show the reverse design.

Regulated

@cardinal said:
Here's my example of the Medal, formerly from the Norweb Collection. This example is a later silver strike than the OP, and was produced from the original obverse die and a newly prepared reverse die:

While not precisely the same medal as the OP, it does show the reverse design.

Wayne Homren recently demonstrated that the obverse is also a different die - Washington's hair is different, as is the spacing of the letters and a few details in Washington's coat.

ECHOES

Beautiful Medals, thanks for sharing...