We are excited to offer a beautiful MS-65 (NGC) ca. 1859 Non Nobis Solum Washington medal in gilt white metal in lot 70033 of our December 2021 Tokens and Medals Collectors Choice Online Auction. Sharply struck with beautiful satin surfaces and no significant abrasions, this piece is an important offering for specialists in Washington medals or Masonic pieces.
Taken from a philosophical work by Cicero, who himself was borrowing from Plato, the Latin phrase "non nobis solum sed toto mundo nati" on the reverse of this medal translates to English as "not for ourselves alone, but for the whole world, were we born." This selfless phrase is a favorite among the Freemasons and it is seen on a wide variety of masonic items.
The Non Nobis Solum medal is known in a wide range of varieties, compositions, rim types, and mulings, all of which are prized by collectors. Our historic sale of the Baker Collection in November 2019 included an incredible eight different varieties of this type, led by the unique C.C. Wright muling that sold for $13,200. Remarkably, the Baker cabinet did not include a gilt example, nor have we offered one in the past two decades. This lovely gilt MS-65 (NGC) represents a significant opportunity for the advanced collector.
For more information on this exceptional Washington medal or to consign to a future sale, contact our firm at 800-566-2580 or email consign@StacksBowers.com. Stack’s Bowers Galleries is now accepting consignments of U.S. coins, numismatic Americana, and U.S. currency for our Spring 2022 Showcase Auction, while our monthly Collectors Choice Online Auctions offer a convenient venue for the quickest sale at the strongest prices.
