1.215.6 grains, 53.5mm. A minor nick on the reverse rim detracts not at all from this historic, rare, beautifully-executed medal.

Charles Ira Bushnell, a noted 19th century collector and numismatic writer, commissioned dies for the "Fill Blessed Sun" medal in 1853. Its obverse die was cut by Charles Cushing Wright, an engraver known for numerous U.S. Mint medals and a range of banknotes who operated in a variety of partnerships in the early-to-mid 19th century. The obverse's bust of Washington is based on Houdon's famous work. The reverse, which takes clear inspiration from Continental paper currency and early coinage, depicts Washington's likeness as the face of the sun with rays radiating outward, surrounded by thirteen interlocking rings, symbolizing the 13 original colonies.

"Fill Blessed Sun" medals exist in a number of metallic compositions, of which white metal is the most common. The precise date of their manufacture is uncertain, despite the 1853 date on the obverse. The catalogs of Stack's 1992 Steinberg sale and Early American History Auctions' December 1999 sale identify this white metal example of the medal as Bushnell's personal specimen. If this is indeed Bushnell's specimen, it would have to have been produced before his death in 1880, before the Chapman Brothers stated they knew of no impressions of the medal, and remained unknown to a number of the period's prominent numismatists, including William Spohn Baker.

Whatever its precise origins, this is an absolutely beautiful example of a rare, aesthetically pleasing Washington medal missing from some of its era finest collections. A true prize for the specialist.

Early American History Auctions, Mail Bid Auction, Autographs, Coins, Currency, Americana, December 11th, 1999, Lot #37. Stack's, The Gilbert Steinberg Collection of Washington, Lincoln, Columbus, and United States Mint Medals, May 6th, 1992, Lot #60.