Robert J. Silverstein’s

1789 George Washington Inaugural & New Nation Tribute Buttons

 


America’s Three Roads

Liberty, Prosperity, and Independence represent the core principles that represent the newly formed nations identity and purpose. Together, they define a path of individual freedom, economic strength, and self-reliance. 

 

  I’m Robert J. Silverstein the author, creator, and developer of this library, which showcases 1789 and 1792 George Washington Inaugural buttons, New Nation Tribute buttons, and early 18th-century American and British military buttons. Through the invaluable partnership and friendship of Dale Hawley and Robert Milburn, we’ve assembled a premier collection that not only supports the hobby for button collectors but also helps tell the untold story of early American insignia used during the founding of the United States. Our research, done in collaboration with fellow collectors and university cultural historians, brings to light the deeper meanings behind the engraved symbols on these historic buttons.

  The symbols found on these buttons were first embraced by America’s early Revolutionary colonists. These meaningful emblems were later engraved onto George Washington’s Inaugural and New Nation Tribute buttons, becoming a powerful tribute to the ideals of the new republic. In time, many of these symbols evolved into official motifs which are still used by the United States government and military.

  Yet, the origins and meanings of many of these early Revolutionary symbols that were adopted by the founding generation remain obscure or forgotten by later generations of Americans. This website aims to decode those lost meanings and serve as a tribute to the colonists and soldiers who held these symbols dear during pre & post revolutionary times.

  After years of dedicated research and collecting, I’ve been able to document and present previously unlisted George Washington inaugural button types, along with thirteen forgotten sub-variants. None of which were recorded by Albert or Cobb’s earlier works. To date (2025), this site’s library has cataloged approximately 2,600 known specimens, many of which were unearthed by modern metal detector enthusiasts or preserved in private family collections that have gone unrecorded.

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” Tres Viae ”
Libertas, Prosperitas, Independentia 

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Robert J. Silverstein’s Theory on the Enigmatic Origins of
1789 George Washington Inaugural & New Nation Tribute Buttons

 


George Washington’s Bailey Silver & Ivory Hilted Cuttoe Sword

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“In my view, George Washington Inaugural and New Nation Tribute buttons are not only the earliest numismatic and commemorative artifacts of the United States, but also among the most significant Historical Political Collectable Symbols of the nation’s founding era. -” R.J.Silverstein

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* GWI 1 & NNT 1 *
Federal Eagle
March The Fourth
Memorable Era

* NNT 2 *
The Federal eagle
Rising in the Stars
E. Pluribus Unum

* GWI 3 & NNT 3 *
The Majesty of The
People & Majestic 
Glory of Heavens

* GWI 4 *
G.W. Monogram
Linked States &
America’s 3 Roads

* GWI 5 * MONOGRAM W/ A SALIENT PYRAMIDAL FLAME BORDER
* GWI 5 *
G.W. Monogram
W/ A Salient Pyramidal Flame

WI 6-A GW BRASS 33 MM 36 IMPRESSIONSRJ Silverstein's georgewashingtoninauguralbuttons.com O
* GWI 6 *
G.W. Monogram
W/ LLP & Recess
Cross Legend

* GWI 7 *
The G.W. Monogram
W/ LLP & 32
Hexagonal Legend

GWI 8-A 35mm GW Roman Monogram RJ Silverstein's geoorgewashingtoninauguralbutton O
* GWI 8 *
The Plain Roman
G.W. Monogram
Wide/Narrow
* GWI 9 *
The Dotted Script
G.W. Monogram
W/ LLP Legend

 

WI 10-A BRASS 35MM R-7 WI 10-B RJ Silverstein's georgewashingtoninauguralbuttons.com B-1
*GWI 10 *
The Ornate Script
G.W. W/ LLP & Four
Dot Legend

* GWI 11 *
G.W. Monogram
In Oval Center
W/ LLP Legend

* GWI 12 & NNT 4 *
The Eagle With A
Heraldic Estoile W/
Alternate Wavy Ray

* GWI 13 & NNT 5 *
The Federal Eagle
Eight Point Estoile
W/ Variable Legend

WI 14-A 31.8MM 74.3 GRAINS WI 14-A 31.8MM 74.3 GRAINS RJ Silverstein's georgewashingtoninauguralbuttons O
* GWI 14 & NNT 6 *
Colonial Crescent
Inner Ray Pattern
Small Eagle & Star

* GWI 15 & NNT 7 *
A Federal Eagle
W/ Morning Glory
& Thirteen Stars

* GWI 16 *
G. Washington
Folk Art
Inaugural Buttons

* GWI 17 *
Roman Laurel
Wreath Crown W/

LLP & Star Legend

* GWI 18 *
15 Six Point Star
Pattern W/ Long
Live The President

* GWI 19 *
The Pater Patriae
Military Bust of
Gen. Washington

* GWI 20 *
The Engraved
Script G.W. Monogram

WI 21-A 25MM R-6 DALE EXC. NY:MASS not for sale BORDER
* GWI 21-B *
G.W. Monogram
Federal Eagle
Stipple Cypher

ZL-WI 22-A GW WITH LIBERY CAP 22MM RJ Silverstein's georgewashingtoninauguralbuttons.com O
* GWI 22-B *
G.W. Monogram
W/ Honey Hive
In Liberty Cap

WI 23-B 14mm Gilt Brass Dave Dug in South Carolina 5
* GWI 23 *
The Federal Eagle
W/ G.W. Monogram
Liberty Cap Above

ZH-WI 24-A THE EAGLE WITH INVERTED DIAMONDS 35MM. GILDED BRASS 20-20 NOTCHES-INVERTED DIAMOND SRJ silverstein's georgewashingtoninauguralbuttons.com O
* GWI 24 & NNT 8 *
The Federal Eagle
W/ Heraldic Star
Diamond Border

WI 25 28MM SILVER FLORIDA
* 1783-1784 *
Sons of Cincinnati
GW Monogram W/
A Federal Eagle

WI 26-A LIBERTY CAP WITH DATE 34mm Copper RJ Silverstein's georgewashingtoninauguralbuttons.com O
* NNT 9 *
The Liberty Cap
Pole & Date 
of Ratification

*NNT 10*
Unity, Prosperity &
Independence W/
Estoile & 13 Stars

* NNT 11 *
Federal Eagle

Escutcheon Shield
W/ 13 Stars Above

* 1760’s to 1770’s *
The Sons of Liberty
Liberte All
French Button

* 1760’s – 1770’s *
The Sons of Liberty
Scottish Royal
Tribute Button

* 1767 – 1783 *
The British Army
Royal Artillery &
Regiment of Foot

* 1789 – 1793 *
Long Live the King
King & Constitution

* 1775 – 1783 *
America’s Royalists
& British Crown
Loyalist Buttons

* 1775-1784 *
G. Washington
Commander & Chief
Continental Army 

* 1775 – 1783 *
Rattlesnake Motif
Sons Of Serpent Gadsden Sons

1777 Continental Army Enlisted Man's Pattern USA Pewter RJ Silverstein's Georgewashingtoninauguralbuttons.com O
* 1776 – 1784 *
The American
Continental Army
State Militia Regt.’s

* 1775 – 1784 *
The French Army
Troupes A Pied

Infanterie de Ligne 

* 1775 – 1780’s *
Continental Navy
French C. Troops
Royal Navy 1748 >

* 1792 – 1796 *
A. Wayne’s Legion
-1798 to 1802-
Infantry Regt.’s

* 1776 – 1802 *
Continental
Army Artillery

Artillerist & Eng.

* 1790 – 1854 *
– Dragoons –
Regt Of Riflemen
* Militia Rifles *

* 1776 – 1865 *
Various State
Militia Buttons
Infantry*Artillery

GI 53 INFANTRY RJ SILVERSTEIN'S GEORGEWASHINGTONINAUGURALBUTTONS.COM O
* 1808 – 1854 *
Federal Infantry
Army Regiments
Officers & Enlisted

* 1802 – 1865 *
U.S. Artillery Regt.
Artillery Corps
Militia Artillery

* 1812 – 1851 *
The Federal Army
Ordnance Dept.
Artillery & Corps

1832 Topographical Engineers 23mm convex brass georgewashingtoninauguralbuttons.com O
* 1813 – 1863 *
– Topographical –
Orig. General Staff
Engineers to Corps

* 1795 – 1863 *
United States
Diplomatic Service
Buttons

* 1794 – 1865 *
U.S.A. Navy
Republic of Texas
Confederate Navy

Revenue Marine 1820's Albert' FD1-Tice RM200A21 rj silverstein's Georgewashingtoninaugralbuttons.com R-20
*1790 – 1863 *
– Dept of Treasury – Revenue Marine
Buttons

1820's Marines Albert's MC 2 RJ Silverstein's Georgewashingtoninauguralbuttons.com O
* 1798 – 1865 *
– U.S. Marines –
Navy Department’s
Naval Infantry

* 1780-1815 *
Mason Fraternity
Scottish & English
Freemason Loyalist

ZL-WI 22-A GW WITH LIBERY CAP 22MM RJ Silverstein's georgewashingtoninauguralbuttons.com O
* 1789 *
Scottish-Royalty
Royal Family
Scottish-Jacobite

* 1778 – 1784 *
G. Washington
Spy Button
Six Point Star

* 1776 – 1784 *
G. Washington
Estoile Star Design
Old World Cross

* 1776 – 1784 *
G. Washington
Culper Spy Ring
Six Point Star

* 1829-1837 *
Andrew Jackson
The 7th President
United States of America

1840 Presidential Nominee
William Henry Harrison
1st Whig President

* 18th & 19 Centruy *
Treasures From
The Isabela Collection
> X <

* 18th & 19th Century *
Military Generals
Navy Admirals
French & British

1861-65 Adjutant Generals Dept. 21mm Gilt Brass Dug Chancellorsville by Grover Simpkins Albert CS 50-Tice CSAG250A.1 No Shank Made in Paris 2
* 1860 – 1865 * Confederate States Army General & General Staff Local & British

* 1790 – 1815 *
United States
Fed & State
Insignia

* 18th & 19th*
Century

New Jersey
Jesuit Buttons

* 1799 *
Birthday Tribute
15 Star Fed. Eagle
1st Reverse Cuff

* 18th & 19th Cent. *
R.M. Documenting

Civilian 1-Piece
Metal Buttons
* 1791-1793 * America’s Rattlesnake
Don’t Tread On Me
Rev War Buttons & Flags

 

*Perfect Forgeries*
Collectors
Education &
Anniversary Issues
* A James Madison *
March 4, 1789
Constitution Trib.

 

Robert Scot’s
13 Step Capped
Nubian Pyramid
Snake & Pine Tree

* 1816 – 1865 *
United States
Military Academies

Schools & Univ.
North & South

American Sovereign
Grand Archit Design
Scot Royal Culture
Insignia Allusions