1798 Washington Seasons Medal Other MS-60 Julian IP-53, The Sower

A finely executed mid-19th century electrotype copy of a rare Washington Seasons medal. The obverse presents attractive light brown surfaces, subtly enhanced by remnants of original red in protected recesses. The reverse shows deeper, richer brown tones with appealing mahogany and tan mottling. Both sides exhibit a glossy, lustrous appearance reminiscent of a fine original striking, marred only by a few minor oxidation spots. Tentatively dated to the 1850s—an era when enthusiasm for Washington medals surged among collectors—the patina evokes the look of a late 18th or early 19th century piece, though the visible fine edge seam confirms its electrotype nature.

These high-quality electrotype reproductions of the Seasons medals are far from modern fabrications. Once originals surfaced and gained attention among prominent mid-19th century collectors, demand quickly outstripped the scarce supply, prompting the creation of faithful copies such as this to meet collector needs. In W. Elliot Woodward's October 1864 auction, two similar examples appeared: a silver-plated Sower variety as lot 2463 and an equally fine Shepherd copy as lot 2464, both acquired by the noted numismatist Sylvester S. Crosby.

This piece carries a charming provenance that highlights Q. David Bowers' generosity: as a young enthusiast in his early 20s, he gifted it to an established senior competitor in the field.

Provenance: From the John M. Pack Collection. Earlier ex Q. David Bowers, to John J. Ford, Jr., by gift, February 1961; Ford estate (retained by his family and later sold privately); John Kraljevich, May 2016.

Product ID	557357
Year	1798
Mint Mark
Strike	Business
Grade	MS-60
Variety	The Sower
Grading Agency	Other
Specification properties	No
Serial	2511184088
Status	Active
Designation	Julian IP-53,
Additional Info	-