A 1799 Tribute Button to
George Washington’s Birthday

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GWI 27-A Washington’s 2nd Administration 15 State Tribute: This rare crude style 15 Star button was most likely produced in 1799 as a tribute for George Washington’s Birthday. Most likely made in America because of button having painted pigments. This is also a strong indicator of pre-1800 crude American craftsmanship compared to British or French silvered or Gilt buttons. Also, this kind of pigment finish has been used in the later half of 1790’s with other relics throughout the colonial states. The depiction of 6 pointed stars instead of 5 does scream British produced to me, but crude construction says American made. These multi color pigment finishes would have been brushed on by the manufacturer after production and then baked on with the action (heat) of a low degree furnace. GWI 27 Size is 20mm, and has an R-6 Rarity Rating. This is a One-Piece Molded Reverse Political Cuff button that has a Loop Shank.

There has been some theory that this is a Jacksonian style reverse cuff and would date to 1829, but there was 24 states in the union at that time, and since Andrew Jackson was in the Revolution as a teenager and was campaigning on a Federalist Style theme, the button would display 13 stars. . By Jackson’s Presidential era (24 States) of the 1830’s there was much more modernized process like electroplating for finishes. GWI 27’s design was crudely stamped design was in either a brass or copper planchet. 

The button’s pattern depicts a crude style depiction of the Great Seal of the United States. Covering the eagle’s chest is a crude style 3 line Federal Shield. In the Eagle’s left talon is a Small Bundle of Three Arrows to stand for the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches of government. In the eagle’s right talon is the Olive Branch to the Roam tradition and symbol for peace. The eagle’s head is turned toward the olive branch to signify the country’s preference for peace. Situated above the eagle’s head is the button’s shank. Beneath the legend in an arc in is the President’s last name, “Washington” in Carlton font. Arced in the top legend is Fifteen Six Pointed Asterisk Type Stars to represent the states currently in the union.

Robert’s Notes: GWI 27 being made and sold in 1799 for a tribute to Washington’s 2nd Administration during 1793-97. This most likely is a salute to the accomplishments of his admission of Vermont and Kentucky as the 14th & 15th state. Collectors also take note to GWI 18, which was made for his second inauguration also depicts 15 Stars on the field. This number star association to Washington would have continued forward. This style button was most likely adopted later for Jacksonian campaigning to represent his earlier childhood in the Revolutionary War and his stance against monopolistic government. 

Hi Robert – not one I’ve ever seen in person. But it does lead me to ask, since this is your specialty, what was the point of putting a design on the side with the shank? Who would ever see it once it was sewn to a garment? I’ve wondered about this for years as there are various 1836-40 campaign related clothing buttons made the same way. -Ted Hake

     Well someone knows a Gucci suit without seeing the label, so same kind of reasoning. You don’t need to be a billboard with a label for others to know. These buttons were painted, or finished with gilt or silver, this might have been enough. So new styles and trends were reflected by just wearing it. Ones own self gratification of ownership, and usage maybe enough of a reward for a person with humility. I believe this “style” button’s popularity hit it’s height around the Jackson Administration. If made during Jackson’s Administration they may have been attributed and back-dated to Washington’s Administration for reverance. -Robert J. Silverstein

GWI 27-A Washington’s 2nd Administration 15 State Tribute

Color: A Marble Green Pigment.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Mold Button with Gilt Finish.
Size: 20.28mm.
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: Federal Eagle / Federal Lined Shield / Small Bundle of Three Arrows / Washington’s Sir Name / 15 Six Pointed Stars.
Present Condition: A Dug Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, A Strong Impression Remains.
Obverse Button Analysis: The brass planchet is smooth as glass, and flat. The surface has a green marble color shade that is even throughout the surface.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is just an amazing specimen, I have only seen 7 other examples of this button in my lifetime, and all but two are missing their shanks. Like GWI 18-A, this is also 20mm. in size, and uses the same Fifteen Star Pattern. This reverse political cuff button definitely celebrates George Washington as President or his Administration. The button’s pattern depicts a Federal Eagle with a crude style Federal Lined Shield over it’s chest. In the eagle’s left talon is a Small Bundle of Three Arrows, and in it’s right talon is an Olive Branch. As with most Washington Era buttons, the eagle’s head is turned toward the olive branch to signify peace. Above the eagle’s head and the shank, is Washington’s Sir Name spelled out in Roman font capital letters in a half arc. Above this in the top legend is Fifteen Six Pointed Stars also in an arc. As with other buttons of this era, this is a one piece button with a loop shank. As noted, this button shares a lot of traits and designs that other previous Washington tribute buttons had in 1789.

Dug in January of 2012 in a field next to a Grist Mill in North Carolina.
The RJ Silverstein’s Isabela Collection.

GWI 27-A Washington’s 2nd Administration 15 State Tribute

Color: A Silvery Granite with A Chalk White Design.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design, Silvered Copper?
Size: 20mm.
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: Federal Eagle / Federal Lined Shield / Small Bundle of Three Arrows / Washington’s Sir Name / 15 Six Pointed Stars.
Present Condition: A Dug Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, A Strong Impression Remains.
Obverse Button Analysis: The planchets surface has pockets of unevenness with a coarse or granular texture. Most likely the result of  being buried for 200 years. The surface has a nice even Silvery Granite color
Reverse Button Analysis: This is just an amazing specimen, I have only seen 5 other examples of this button in my lifetime, and all but this one and mine is missing their shanks. Like GWI 18-A, this is also 20mm. in size, and uses the same Fifteen Star Pattern. This reverse political cuff button definitely celebrates George Washington as President or his Administration. The button’s pattern depicts a Federal Eagle with a crude style Federal Lined Shield over it’s chest. In the eagle’s left talon is a Small Bundle of Three Arrows, and in it’s right talon is an Olive Branch. As with most Washington Era buttons, the eagle’s head is turned toward the olive branch to signify peace. Above the eagle’s head and the shank, is Washington’s Sir Name spelled out in Roman font capital letters in a half arc. Above this in the top legend is Fifteen Six Pointed Stars also in an arc. As with other buttons of this era, this is a one piece button with a loop shank. As noted, this button shares a lot of traits and designs that other previous Washington tribute buttons had in 1789.

Dan dug this back in 1998 in a Ghost Town at the site of an early 1800’s Courthouse.
The Dan Patterson Collection.

GWI 27-A Washington’s 2nd Administration 15 State Tribute

Color: A Shoe Polish Brown with White and Black Pigment.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design, Copper.
Size: 20mm.
Rarity: R-6
Variety Type: Federal Eagle / Federal Lined Shield / Small Bundle of Three Arrows / Washington’s Sir Name / 15 Six Pointed Stars.
Present Condition: A Dug Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, A Strong Impression Remains.
Obverse Button Analysis: The brass planchet is even and flat. The surface has a dark brown color shade that is even throughout the surface.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is what I call a Reverse Political Cuff Button. Like GWI 18-A, this cuff is also 20mm. in size, and uses the same Fifteen Star Pattern. This reverse political cuff button definitely celebrates George Washington as President or his Administration. The button’s pattern depicts a Federal Eagle with a crude style Federal Lined Shield over it’s chest. In the eagle’s left talon is a Small Bundle of Three Arrows, and in it’s right talon is an Olive Branch. As with most Washington Era buttons, the eagle’s head is turned toward the olive branch to signify peace. Above the eagle’s head and the shank, is Washington’s Sir Name spelled out in Roman font capital letters in a half arc. Above this in the top legend is Fifteen Six Pointed Stars also in an arc. As with other buttons of this era, this is a one piece button with a loop shank. As noted, this button shares a lot of traits and designs that other previous Washington tribute buttons had in 1789.

GWI 27-A Washington’s 2nd Administration 15 State Tribute

Color: A Golden Brown with Hints of Red.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 20mm.
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: Federal Eagle / Federal Lined Shield / Small Bundle of Three Arrows / Washington’s Sir Name / 15 Six Pointed Stars.
Present Condition: A Dug Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, A Strong Impression Remains.
Obverse Button Analysis: The brass planchet is mostly flat and even. The surface has a golden with brown verdigris spots with hints of red throughout the surface.
Reverse Button Analysis: This reverse political cuff button celebrates George Washington as President or his Administration. The button’s pattern depicts a Federal Eagle with a crude style Federal Lined Shield over it’s chest. In the eagle’s left talon is a Small Bundle of Three Arrows, and in it’s right talon is an Olive Branch. As with most Washington Era buttons, the eagle’s head is turned toward the olive branch to signify peace. Above the eagle’s head and the shank, is Washington’s Sir Name spelled out in Roman font capital letters in a half arc. Above this in the top legend is Fifteen Six Pointed Stars also in an arc. As with other buttons of this era, this is a one piece button with a loop shank. As noted, this button shares a lot of traits and designs that other previous Washington tribute buttons had in 1789.

This Button was Dug at an Old Plantation in Donaldsonville, Louisiana in 2007
The Mark Robert Collection.

GWI 27-A Washington’s 2nd Administration 15 State Tribute

Color: A Green Verde with Gold Highlights.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 20mm.
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: Federal Eagle / Federal Lined Shield / Small Bundle of Three Arrows / Washington’s Sir Name / 15 Six Pointed Stars.
Present Condition: A Dug Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, A Strong Impression Remains.
Obverse Button Analysis: The planchets surface is a bit coarse and porous. The surface’s color is an algae green with gold design highlights.
Reverse Button Analysis: This reverse political cuff button definitely celebrates George Washington as President or his Administration. The button’s pattern depicts a Federal Eagle with a crude style Federal Lined Shield over it’s chest. In the eagle’s left talon is a Small Bundle of Three Arrows, and in it’s right talon is an Olive Branch. As with most Washington Era buttons, the eagle’s head is turned toward the olive branch to signify peace. Above the eagle’s head and the shank, is Washington’s Sir Name spelled out in Roman font capital letters in a half arc. Above this in the top legend is Fifteen Six Pointed Stars also in an arc. As with other buttons of this era, this is a one piece button with a loop shank. As noted, this button shares a lot of traits and designs that other previous Washington tribute buttons had in 1789.

This button was Dug in December 2012 at what was either a Trading Post or an Old Stage Coach Stop in South Carolina.~
Russ Collection.

GWI 27-A Washington’s 2nd Administration 15 State Tribute

Color: An Oxidized Metal with Hints of Red.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 20mm.
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: Federal Eagle / Federal Lined Shield / Small Bundle of Three Arrows / Washington’s Sir Name / 15 Six Pointed Stars.
Present Condition: A Dug Specimen, A Strong Planchet Condition, A Strong Impression Remains.
Obverse Button Analysis:
Reverse Button Analysis: This reverse political cuff button celebrates George Washington as President or his Administration. The button’s pattern depicts a Federal Eagle with a crude style Federal Lined Shield over it’s chest. In the eagle’s left talon is a Small Bundle of Three Arrows, and in it’s right talon is an Olive Branch. As with most Washington Era buttons, the eagle’s head is turned toward the olive branch to signify peace. Above the eagle’s head and the shank, is Washington’s Sir Name spelled out in Roman font capital letters in a half arc. Above this in the top legend is Fifteen Six Pointed Stars also in an arc. As with other buttons of this era, this is a one piece button with a loop shank. As noted, this button shares a lot of traits and designs that other previous Washington tribute buttons had in 1789.

The J. Vance Collection.