Q.David Bowers
While most of these tokens were neutral politically, one apparently was quite satirical. The obverse bears an unrealistic portrait of Washington, bald (without his wig), and without his teeth. Surrounding is the legend WASHINGTON THE GREAT D.G. "D.G." was the common inscription on British coins at the time andwas an abbreviation of' 'Dei Gratia," which translates to "by the grace of God." But, in this instance, it has been theorized that the D.G. may have referred to "Dictator General"
Other Washington obverse dies were made by Wyon in Birmingham, England, and later found their way to the United States, where they were combined with reverse dies pertaining to New Jersey and other topics. All of these die combinations are rare.
Singular among Washington pieces of the era is the so-called 1795 "North Wales halfpenny." This piece, which comes undated but is believed to have been struck around 1795, bears on the obverse a crude portrait of Washington with the letters GEORGEIVS WASHINGTON. The reverse shows a crowned harp and the legend NORTH WALES. Several varieties exist. These coins are from crudely made dies and were very carelessly struck, exhibiting weaknesses in most areas of the design even when the issues were first made. Contrasting from most other British-made Washington issues, which are usually fully struck with excellent detail, the North Wales halfpenny may have been a contemporary imitation or counterfeit. Its light weight and poor fabrication indicate it may have been designed with this intention and may have been used in commerce at the valuation of a halfpenny.
The Mint Act of April 2, 1792, originally written in the Senate, proposed that: Upon one side of each of the said coins, there shall be an impression or representation of the head of the president of the United States for the time being, with an inscription which shall express the initial or first letter of his Christian or first name, and his surname at length, the succession of the presidency numerically, and the year of the coinage ...
It also provided that the reverses of the gold and silver coins were to bear the figure or representation of the eagle with the inscription THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and the reverses of the copper coins were to be with an inscription expressing the denomination. The House of Representatives, probably acting in accordance with Washington's oft-expressed wishes, deleted the portion referring to the head of the president and substituted that "upon one side of each of the said coins there shall be an impression emblematic of liberty, with an inscription of the word, LIBERTY." It is believed that Peter Getz, an engraver of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who was 23 years old at the time, prepared the dies, with the lettering added by another artisan. The silver impressions of the pieces prepared under this proposal may have been distributed to members of the Senate, while copper pieces, made in larger quantities, may have gone to members of the House of Representatives.
The obverse of the so-called "Washington half dollar" depicts a portrait of Washington facing left with a date of 1792 below it and the inscription G. WASHINGTON PRESIDENT I surrounding. The reverse shows a heraldic eagle with the inscription THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
In 1800, Jacob Perkins, an inventor, engraver, and diesinker of Newburyport, Massachusetts, who earlier produced dies for Massachusetts copper coins and who later became distinguished for his work in engraving bank note plates, produced several funeral medals honoring Washington. Typically these bear on the obverse a portrait of the first president with the inscription HE IS IN GLORY, THE WORLD IN TEARS. The reverse depicts a funeral urn and biographical data of Washington in abbreviated form.
Most examples seen today are in silver or white metal (pewter), although gold and copper pieces were also made. This issue set the stage for many medals which paid tribute to Washington's greatness.
One medal had a twist of satire. In 1805 Daniel Eccleston, of Lancaster, England, issued a large-diameter piece which is known today as the "Eccleston Medal. "Eccleston, a Quaker, was "well known for his eccentricities," Baker observed. He spent two or three years in America, and during that time saw Washington in Alexandria, Virginia, and received an invitation to spend a few days at Mount Vernon. His "admiration" for Washington was expressed in a most interesting way.
The obverse of his medal depicts Washington encased in a heavy suit of armor, "a singular conceit," notes Baker. The legend surrounding is: GENERAL WASHINGTON INSCRIBED TO HIS MEMORY BY D. ECCLESTON. LANCASTER MDCCCV.
The reverse shows an Indian standing, head downcast, with an arrow in his right hand and leaning on a bow. The legend surrounds in several concentric circles: HE LAID THE FOUNDATION OF AMERICAN LIBERTY IN THE XVII CENTURY.
INNUMERABLE MILLIONS YET UNBORN WILL VENERATE THE MEMORY OF THE MAN WHO OBTAINED THEIR COUNTRYS FREEDOM. Then, surrounding the Indian at the center, are the words THE LAND WAS OURS. In retrospect, the medal appears to be more of a commentary of the expropriation by colonists of Indian lands than a tribute to Washington.
In 1832 the centennial of Washington's birth produced a wide variety of medals as did the 1876 celebration of the centennial of American independence. Today, the most highly prized Washington medals are those struck during Washington's lifetime and during the first decade of the 19th century.