"1776" (ca. 1807) American Beaver Medal. By John Reich. Musante GW-93, Baker-54A, Julian CM-4. Copper. Specimen-64+ (PCGS).

40.4 mm. 557.0 grains. Light olive-brown with traces of faded red close to the rims and outlining the portraits on the obverse. The reverse is deeper olive and uniform in tone. Glossy and very pleasing on both sides, with little handling other than a small obverse rim bump near 7 o'clock. A small natural planchet flaw is also noted inside the reverse rim at 4 o'clock, but is as made and of little consequence, visual or otherwise. While not believed to technically be part of Joseph Sansom's History of the American Revolution series, this medal is intimately tied to it since the dies were both cut for Sansom and used in other marriages therein. It is believed that this muling was created at the U.S. Mint at the direction of authorities there on their own accord, without the participation of Sansom. Unlike the other medals properly in the Sansom series, this is not known to have ever been struck in silver. It is scarce and always in demand as an early U.S. Mint medal, but probably just as much for its distinctive design. The reverse bears the American beaver gnawing at the mighty English oak. As pointed out by Musante, a similar vignette was used on a Continental Currency $6 note of the series of May 6, 1776.

From the E Pluribus Unum Collection.

Estimate: $ 4000