Owner Comments:
(ca. 1885) Washington Monument Medal. First Obverse. White Metal. 44 mm. Musante GW-1003, Baker N-322, HK-145.
THIS MEDAL IS VERY PROOFLIKE WITH ONE SMALL RIM BUMP AT TWO O'CLOCK ON OBVERSE, AND DARK ABRASIONS TO WASHINGTON'S BUST PRECLUDE FULL NUMBER GRADE. OTHERWISE EXTREMELY NICE LARGE AND THICK EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE. HOUSED IN AN NGC THICK HOLDER DUE TO THE THICKNESS OF THE MEDAL AND THE EXTREMELY HIGH RELIEF OF WASHINGTON'S BUST.
I ALSO OWN AN NGC GRADED MS 62 DPL EXAMPLE OF HK-145. EXCEPT FOR THE BLACK ABRASIONS AND SMALL RIM BUMP ON THE OBVERSE, THIS EXAMPLE "SHOWS" BETTER THAN MY MS 62 DPL EXAMPLE. OBVERSE FIELDS ARE CLEANER AND HAIRLINE FREE COMPARED TO MY MS 62 DPL. THE REVERSE OF THE DETAILS GRADED MEDAL IS ACTUALLY MORE PROOFLIKE THAN THE MS 62 DPL EXAMPLE.
PICTURES ATTACHED SHOW THE MEDAL BEFORE AND AFTER NGC GRADING. THE "BEFORE" PICTURES ARE CLEARER, AS THE THICK SLAB SOMEWHAT CLOUDS THE LOOKS OF THE MEDAL.
This medal obviously commemorates dedication of the famous national monument. Issue probably struck privately; either presented to guests and officials at opening ceremonies or sold to visitors as souvenir.
Monument is tapering shaft or obelisk, white marble faced, 555 feet high, 55 feet square at base. Eight small windows, at 500 foot level, reached by stairway of 50 landings and 900 steps or by elevator requiring 70 seconds for ascent.
Thirtieth (1848) Congress created Washington National Monument Association to supervise construction; also authorized cost be met by popular subscription. Cornerstone laid July 4, 1848 but progress slow. Six years and $300,000 later, controversy ensued; contributions and work ceased. Construction resumed 1880 by Corps of Engineers at government expense; dedicated Feb. 21, 1885; opened Oct. 9, 1888.