Washington Centennial Variety

N#524151
 

There are two variations of the medal listed in Metallic Portraits of Washington by Rulau. My problem is I cannot understand what the differences are from the description. The book says it is about the “radiant sun” being on the reverse, I think. But it describes the radiant sun being on the reverse on both variations. I was hoping that maybe someone can help me with this so a description of the two varieties can be added.

If I have shattered some cardinal rule by including a photo from the book, I will accept my 20 lashes palms down without complaining.

7 is bronze. 8 is white metal.  The comment about the sun should read, “…except the radiant sun is on reverse!”  The exclamation point is explained by the comment at the bottom that the sun was supposed to be on the obverse on this medal but wasn't, not a comment about the difference with 7.

Thanks, I knew the difference between the metal compositions. My dilemma was between 7A and 8 both being white metal. I attempted to find an example of Douglas-8 to describe where the radiant sun is. 

Reading the description of the Bronze Douglas-7 says that the radiant sun is on the reverse “Rv: Radiant sun is over Brooklyn Bridge”. And the White metal 7A is like the bronze. So what is different about Douglas-8 if the radiant sun is also on the reverse?

I overlooked the WM designation for 7a.

The radiant sun was supposed to be on the obverse but they made a mistake and kept it on the reverse. That's why the catalog has a comment about it.  The comment wasn't meant to describe the difference between 8 and 7.  The designs are the same so the only real difference is the diameter.

A 0.8 diameter difference seems very insignificant to justify another variety even if they were minted in error. I doubt either medal will be exact in the diameters and would be difficult at best to determine which variety you are looking at. I feel something more is missing in the details and hopefully one day some more information can be added to this discussion. Thank you for adding to this discussion.

Most everything I see for these use the Musante catalog  Medallic Washington as a reference catalog (GW 1087A).  Maybe it might have more information.

https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/musante-pens-two-volume-medallic-washington-tome.html

rsirian1

Most everything I see for these use the Musante catalog  Medallic Washington as a reference catalog (GW 1087A).  Maybe it might have more information.

Just got the Musante books and it states the dies for GW 1087 (without radiant sun) had a defect and the radiant sun was placed there to cover that defect. The book also provided some auction details, unsure if it sold or not. Lot 85

media.stacksbowers.com/VirtualCatalogs/2015/Stacks-Bowers-Galleries/Feb2015-NY-Americana/SBG_Feb2015_NY_Catalog_LR.pdf

GW 1087A in the book is the same reference number for the bronze and white metal with the radiant sun.

I will submit a request to add the Musante books and add them as a reference too.