 Baker 78, Betts 544. Voltaire Washington Medal, ca. 1778. Bronze, 40.2mm, 343.2 grains. Plain Edge, 2.8mm thick. Extremely Fine. Obv. Imaginary bust of Washington r. as General of the Continental Army. Rev. Trophy of banners and arms including a cannon and mortar. The reverse inscription hails Washington for combining in a rare assemblage the virtues of a sage and talents of a warrior. Rich glossy saddle brown, a spot of encrustation appears in the right obverse field, two small areas of obverse edge roughness are noted for accuracy. Very faint die rust can be found. This is generally considered the earliest Washington medal, struck before any authentic portrait was available in Europe and commissioned by the great revolutionary philosopher Voltaire.
A persistent legend states that the features on this medal are those of British philanthropist Jeremy Bentham. Comparison with Bentham portrait medals shows that this is not the case.
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