ANOTHER WASHINGTON BEFORE BOSTON MEDAL PLASTER

I was taken back a bit when I saw the discussion in this week's E-Sylum about the plaster of the rejected obverse die for the Washington Before Boston Medal for a couple of reasons. First, I have one. I am enclosing a couple of pictures. I don't have a caliper, but it looks like it's about 66 mm across.

I bought it on eBay in July, 1999 for $50. I have been aware that it was the rejected obverse, and have puzzled over how it could have been made since the only known pieces are the shells. It was not included in the sale of my Washingtonia by Joe Levine in May, 2011 (Presidential Coin and Antique's Auction 81). That auction did include my shell of the rejected obverse die (B 47X, lot 141). I actually had bought my shell on eBay as well. When I saw the shell listed in February, 2006 I immediately recognized it for what it was. I was the only bidder and bought it for a winning bid of $5, plus another $5.85 for shipping! It sold for $2350 in Joe's auction. I don't recall if I had mentioned the plaster piece to Joe or not, to be honest.

The back of my plaster is also interesting. It has written in pencil "No. 98 geo. Washington. Sept. 21, 1838" Does this provide a clue? Also, the one in the E-Sylum does not appear to have "Du Vivier Paris" under the bust, while mine does (although it might just be the picture...).

The other reason I was surprised to see the discussion about the plaster piece was that last month, while on a trip to New Hampshire, my wife and I visited the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, where we saw his plaster maquettes of the $20 gold pieces and other medals. At the time, it reminded me of my plaster of the rejected Washington Before Boston obverse, which I really had forgotten about.

Also, for what its worth, mine came with a small wooden base. It is not attached to the base in any manner.

Anne Bentley adds:

David responds:

Lead filled shell obverse with a beaded border
BTW, I still have another odd item that Joe did not include in the auction. It's a lead filled shell of the obverse of the Washington Before Boston Medal, but with a beaded border. I'm enclosing a picture. As you can see, it has the diagnostics of the original die. Joe sent it to George Fuld and Dick Johnson to look at, and apparently Mr. Adams also saw it. Here's what Joe told me in 2011.

" 'George Fuld said: 'John Adams thinks this is possibly an official development piece but more likely a private attempt to improve the medal. I agree.'

Dick Johnson said he believed it to be a 'home made cast' and was 'worthless' ".

I bought the beaded border piece from Chuck Kirtley in March, 1993. It had originally been scheduled as a lot in a floor sale at a hotel in New York, but this hotel was impacted by the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the sale was cancelled, so Chuck included it as a lot in one of his mail bid/phone sales.

I also have notes from my visits to the Long Beach Coin Shows in June and October, 1995. In June I took this piece to show around. My notes say “Alan Weinberg and Jack Collins got excited— thought might be ‘pattern’. Weinberg wanted to buy it—Tony Terranova thought it might be ‘contemporary cast’ used on things like boxes as decorative item.”

My notes from the October 1995 show say that Jack Collins “spoke a lot about it…and what an intriguing piece it is” Also that he had “Told Steve Tannenbaum it may be a pattern.” My notes conclude by saying that Jack “…went on a lot about it, also that Alan Weinberg spoke a lot about it and that Jack even asked if Weinberg had pestered me to buy it…”

Looking forward to hearing any thoughts about yet another rejected obverse plaster, as well as the beaded border piece.

Fun stuff...

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
QUERY: WASHINGTON BEFORE BOSTON MEDAL PLASTER (http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/esylum_v20n45a17.html)

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