The 1787 Columbia and Washington Medal is one of the earliest American medals to celebrate maritime exploration and the spirit of the new Republic. Struck to commemorate the voyage of the Columbia Rediviva and the Lady Washington—the first American ships to circumnavigate the globe—it embodies the optimism of a young nation seeking its place in world trade. The obverse depicts two ships under full sail, framed by the inscription COLUMBIA AND WASHINGTON with the date 1787 below. The reverse carries a bold legend, THE PACIFIC OCEAN, surrounded by the names of Boston merchants and patrons who financed the expedition.

This medal is graded PCGS XF45, a remarkable state of preservation for a piece that circulated as both a commemorative and a token of civic pride. Its surfaces show honest wear, yet the sails, rigging, and inscriptions remain clear, allowing the artistry of the engraver to shine through. The rendering captures the interplay of silver‑gray toning and deeper highlights, emphasizing the medal’s age while preserving its vitality.

The historical resonance of this piece is profound. Issued just four years after the Treaty of Paris, it reflects the ambition of American merchants to expand beyond the Atlantic and into the Pacific trade. The names inscribed—Barrell, Brown, Bulfinch, Darby, Hatch, and others—anchor the medal in Boston’s mercantile elite, men who saw commerce as both profit and patriotism. In this sense, the medal is not merely a souvenir of a voyage but a declaration of national intent.

The John J. Sendlock Collection is noted for its emphasis on early American medals with strong historical narratives, and this example is no exception. Its inclusion affirms the importance of maritime exploration in shaping the identity of the early Republic. For collectors, it represents a rare opportunity to hold in hand a tangible link to America’s first ventures into global trade. The rendering also underscores how medals like this served as both propaganda and commemoration, reminding citizens of the nation’s expanding horizons. Each engraved name becomes a thread in the larger fabric of American enterprise, tying individual ambition to collective achievement.

This rendering underscores the artistry of the medal as much as its history. The sails billow with motion, the inscriptions are crisply defined, and the toning is faithfully reproduced to convey both age and dignity. By presenting the medal in full color, the study transforms a two‑centuries‑old artifact into a living document of American ambition. The drawing also highlights the medal’s dual role as both a work of art and a historical witness, bridging the gap between maritime adventure and national identity.

For the Print of the Month archive, the 1787 Columbia and Washington Medal stands as a testament to exploration, commerce, and national pride. It is a piece that bridges the Revolution and the Republic, reminding us that America’s story was written not only on land but also across the oceans. Its preservation in XF45 ensures that its details remain legible for future generations, while its rendering secures its place in the visual record of early American medallic art. In both metal and drawing, it endures as a symbol of vision, resilience, and the boundless reach of the early Republic.