GWI 23 A & B THE "GW" MONOGRAM WITH AN EAGLE AND LIBERTY CAP: This button was manufactured in either Stamped Brass or Copper, and can have either a Silvered or Gilt Finish. Both GWI A & B are flat one-piece buttons with loop shanks. The Size for A is 25mm, and has an R-5 Rating. The Size for B is 14mm, and has an R-6 Rating. This Button is part of the Liberty Cap Series, which is one of the most popular and treasured of all the George Washington Inaugural Buttons. This particular button skillfully incorporates the best design ideas from other George Washington inaugural buttons. With this button, there is no one single design that acts as the central focus point, each symbol has it's own strong patriotic meaning. To begin with, there is a Federal Spread Eagle in the center of the button. In the Eagles left talon is a small Bundle of Five Arrows. This symbolizes the states unification and readiness for war against foreign aggressors. In the Eagles right talon is the Ancient Roman Symbol for Peace, The Olive Branch. As with other GW buttons of this era, the Eagles head is wisely turned toward the Olive Branch to show the country's preference for peace. Blazoned across the Eagle's chest is a 13 Lined Federal Shield. There are six horizontal stripes, and seven vertical stripes to represent the Thirteen States that ratified the Constitution. On each side of the Eagle is a letter from George Washington's "GW" Monogram. This is depicted in Roman Font Capital Block Letters, and shows inner detail lines to add texture. There are two known die variants used for the GW Monogram. One with a Wide Stem W, and one with a Narrow Stem W. Above the Eagle's head is the Liberty Cap. This is a semi-dimensional design which has inner cut lines to add a little texture to the look of the cap. The Liberty Cap design was used to represent freedom and independence from England, and was also used on America's first 1793 to 1797 Copper Half Cents, and 1793 to 1796 Copper Large Cents.

The Liberty Cap Coinage of the United States was inspired by the famous "Libertas Americana Medal", whose dies were engraved in Paris in 1782 from a concept proposed by Benjamin Franklin who was the U.S. Ambassador to France.~

Robert's Notes: If Gilded or Silvered, the reverse would be back stamped by the manufacturer with an "E & D Plated", or "E & D Gilt".~

GWI 23-A THE "GW" MONOGRAM WITH AN EAGLE AND LIBERTY CAP

Color: A Silvery Brown Charcoal Mixture.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Stamped Design, Silvered Copper.
Size: 25mm.
Rarity: R-5 Rating.
Variety Type: Wide W, Silver Plated.
Present Condition: An Excavated Example, Strong Planchet Casting, Exceptional Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This button is in excellent shape for being excavated. The copper planchet is solid and flat, and shows no metal fatigue or deterioration. The button does retain 98% of it's original Silver plating, but there are some wear spots with flaking due to age and environmental effects. There is also some light traces of micro porosity, and corrosion around the Eagles design. The surface also appears to be a bit coarse because of these porous areas. Fortunately, there are no harsh scratches or abrasions that effect the surface or any of the designs. The Eagle has a nice deep strike impression, and gives a clear image of the inner detail to the head, body and feathers. The Liberty Shield has a good outline, and shows all the vertical and horizontal stripes with clarity. The Laurel Stem only has a light foot print impression, but it shows a clear image of the petals with all it's inner texture lines. The Bundle of Arrows has a nice deep strike, and shows all the individual arrows clearly. The George Washington "GW" Monogram still remains firmly impressed, and shows all of it's inner definition lines clearly. The Liberty Cap's outline is clearly stamped, and has nice strong cut lines. Hats off to you Bill, this is probably the best known example for design detail!
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact. The surface is smooth and flat, but has a few minor nicks which I just note for accuracy.

Library Records Has Limited Information WI 23 A-1:
History: Yes          Recorded Sales Price:                Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:     ~ Virginia ~

Dug by Jimmy H. in Plymouth, North Carolina.~
The Henderson Collection.~

GWI 23-B THE "GW" MONOGRAM WITH AN EAGLE AND LIBERTY CAP

Color: An Aged Silver Patina With Coppery-Brown Undertones.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Stamped Design, Silvered Copper.
Size: 14mm.
Rarity: R-6 Rating.
Variety Type: Wide W, Silver Plated.
Present Condition: An Excavated Example, Exceptional Planchet Casting, Exceptional Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: A very rare example that was excavated in South Carolina. This unusual sub-variety has a slightly smaller diameter to it's counter part GWI 23-A. I decided to introduce this new "B" variety because a different manufactures die was created for this button. The button's overall design is the same, but the Eagle and the Laurel Stem are different then GWI 23-As. This button's copper planchet is solid, and shows no signs of metal fatigue or deterioration. The surface appears to be coarse with nicks, dings, and small pits. The planchet's outside perimeter has multiple nicks around the 8:00 o'clock position. The surface also has tiny light scratches, but they appear to have blended in with the Silvering nicely over time. The Eagle has a good clear strong impression, but unfortunately this design lacks the inner details that are normally associated for the face, neck, and legs feathers. The wings do show the feathers clearly with good detail from the die. The Liberty Shield has a nice deep strike, and shows all the horizontal and vertical lines clearly. The Laurel Stem has a nice deep impression, but unlike GWI 23-A, there is only four petals, and no inner lines for the textured look. The Bundle of Arrows still has a nice deep impression, but lacks the details in the shape for being Arrows. The George Washington "GW" Monogram is boldly stamped, and shows all the inner definition lines clearly. The top left part of the "G" is slightly indented, but this could be due to the artisan's die cut. The Liberty Cap has a strong deep impression, with good line clarity. Unfortunately this was roughly designed, and shows a poor cut by the Artisan. Overall this button is a wonderful example, that retained all of it's original design traits nicely. A true Gem in anyone's GW Collection. My personal objection with this smaller size variation is with the manufacturer or Artisan who did a poor die cut.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact. The reverse is surface flat and smooth with a few tiny scratches, and the planchet does appear to have remnants of the back stamp, "plated".

Library Records Has Limited Information WI 23 B-1:
History:       Yes          Recorded Sales Price:        Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:    ~ Virginia ~

Dug in Darion, South Carolina.~
The Henderson Collection.~

GWI 23-A THE "GW" MONOGRAM WITH AN EAGLE AND LIBERTY CAP

Color: A Nicely Aged Greenish Grey Hue with Golden Gilt Remnants.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Stamped Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 25mm.
Rarity: R-5 Rating.
Variety Type: Narrow W, Gilt Finish.
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Example, Exceptional Casting, Strong Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: Unfortunately most of the Gilt has worn off this button, but the remaining patina is nicely colored, and evenly shaded throughout. The brass planchet is solid and flat, and shows no metal loss or deterioration. The surface is smooth to the touch, and shows no scratches or abrasions. There are a few minor pits on the bottom between 5:00 and 7:00 o'clock position, but nothing that can cause the planchet to have metal fatigue. The Eagle only has a light foot print from the strike, but shows a strongly defined outline. Unfortunately, this design lacks the inner details for the neck, legs, and tail feathers, otherwise this would have been an extraordinary example. The Liberty Shield has a strong strike outline, but the inner details of the horizontal and vertical stripes are worn flat into the surface. The Laurel Stem shows a nice deep strike, and shows a good image of all the individual petals. The Bundle of Arrows also has a nice deep impression, but lacks any shape for the tips and nock feathers. This most likely is a lack of detail in the original die cut. The "GW" Monogram only has a shallow strike, but the letters are easy to read. The inner letter definition lines appears absent or flat. With Gilt buttons, the lines are usually important to retain the Gold on the design. The Liberty Cap also has a good outline with a clear inside texture line image. Overall, this button still retains most of it's designs, and has no external foreign blemishes aside from wear. As to die depth, most Gilt Buttons are known to have shallow impressions to save on Gold. What is important with Gilt buttons is that they have inner definition lines to show the designs under the gold, and to retain the gold on the button itself.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact.

Library Records Has Limited Information WI 23 A-2:
History: Yes          Recorded Sales Price:                 Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:                       No

GWI 23-B THE "GW" MONOGRAM WITH AN EAGLE AND LIBERTY CAP

Color: A Silvery Brown.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Stamped Design, Silvered Copper.
Size: 14mm.
Rarity: R-6 Rating.
Variety Type: Wide W, Silver Plated.
Present Condition: An Excavated Example, Strong Planchet Casting, Strong Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This rare GW was excavated on a plantation in South Carolina by Ronnie M. Hyer using a New XP Deus Metal detector. The planchet is solid and flat, and shows no metal fatigue or deterioration. The button does retain 98% of it's original silver plating, but there are some wear spots with flaking around the edge at two and four o'clock. The surface has a few light scratches, but has blended in nicely with the patina nicely. The Eagle has a nice strike outline impression, and retains a clear image of the inner detail of the head, body and feathers. The Liberty Shield also has a strong outline, and still shows all the vertical and horizontal stripes with clarity. The Laurel Stem has a strong impression with a good outline. Unfortunately, the Bundle of Arrows only has a light foot print. The design most likely was muted from die fatigue during manufacturing them wear or age. The George Washington "GW" Monogram still has a nice strike impression, and the monogram is still easy to read. The "G" still shows remnants of the inner definition lines, but the "W" has unfortunately worn flat. The Liberty Cap's outline is clearly stamped, but unfortunately the brim and the inner texture lines are worn. Overall this is an exceptional example of a rare variety, and will be a pleasure to add to the numbers within this variety.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact. The shank is unfortunately broken off. The surface is coarse, and shows green encrustations and micro porosity though out. The back stamp still shows some remnants of the original raised lettering within the channels. The Word "SILVERED" is mostly worn into the surface.

Library Records Has Limited Information WI 23 B-2:
History: Yes          Recorded Sales Price:                Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:    ~ Alabama ~

Dug on an old plantation in South Carolina 2012.~
The Ronnie Hyer Collection.

GWI 23-A THE "GW" MONOGRAM WITH AN EAGLE AND LIBERTY CAP

Color: A Golden Brown With Green Oxidized Stains.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Stamped Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 14.5mm.
Rarity: R-6 Rating.
Variety Type: Wide W,
Present Condition: An Excavated Example, Strong Planchet Casting, Strong Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This button cleaned up real nice. The brass is still solid, but unfortunately has some metal deterioration to the surface. The obverse shows corrosion and porosity throughout the surface. The Eagle still retains a nice deep strike impression, and has a clear image of the head, neck, and wing feathers. The inner feather details of the wings, neck and tail are exhibited nicely. There is a strong impression for the federal shield, and the inner horizontal lines of the top half and vertical stripes in the lower half are still all accounted for. The Olive Branch still has a nice impression, and the petals outlines clearly show. The Bundle of Arrows also has a strong strike impression, and show a strong image of the tips, shafts, and nock feathers. The "GW" Monogram has a clear image, and shows all the inner definition lines clearly. The Liberty Cap has a nice strong strike outline and impression, and the inner definition lines still have an image. Overall, this button cleaned up nice and a real treasure find.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is broken off. P.D PLATED rmdc


Library Records Has Limited Information GWI 23 B-3:
History: Yes Recorded Sales Price:       Digger Owner
Current Button Owner and Location: ~ South Carolina ~

Dave Dug this in Hampton County South Carolina on 12-05-12
The D. Suiter Collection.

"I forgot to tell you about the story of the other WI-23b you have on your site found by Ronnie Hyer. That son of a gun was here visiting me and was my house guest when he dug that We were at a site one of my buddies has been hunting for years that he said coughed up over a thousand flat buttons. It wasn't until we got in there with some new technology that the good buttons started showing up though. I got two perfect South Carolina Continental Army "dog bone" 1's (Alberts GI 19) and another guy got one too. Another guy with us got the same but a 4th regiment and a possible SC dragoons. The guy that got us permission to the site dug a 60th loyalist, and Ronnie had 2 other one of a kind buttons, a pewter with 1C on it and another with a king George ish looking guy with a P on one side and a W on the other. I think I dug 4 Spanish silver coins and several king George coppers too not to mention 30+ flat/fancy buttons. We're waiting for it to get turned over so we can hit it again, it's an awesome site. Ronnie's in Figi right now but we let him know the rarity of his button went down a notch with the addition of mine.

Mine and his were found about 8-10 miles apart and the other one I know of from the area was maybe 3 miles from where I dug mine. As close as they were all found though I think each one is from a different county. One other thing, one of the guys that was digging with us the day I dug my WI-23b said he told his brother about it and his brother told him he dug one of the same buttons there years ago but in the larger size. I'll try to get him to get me a picture of it and forward it on to you." -Dave

GWI 23-A THE "GW" MONOGRAM WITH AN EAGLE AND LIBERTY CAP

Color: A Lovely Hershey's Milk Chocolate.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Stamped Design, Brass.
Size: 25mm.
Rarity: R-5 Rating.
Variety Type: Narrow W,
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Example, Exceptional Planchet Casting, Strong Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This button has retained most of it's original die impressions nicely. The color of the patina is even and consistent throughout the button. The brass planchet is solid and flat, and shows no metal fatigue or deterioration. The Eagle has a nice deep strike outline, and shows nice inner details of the head and wing feathers clearly. The inner details of the neck, legs, and tail feathers are mostly worn flat into the surface. The Liberty shield shows a deep strike outline, but the shield's inner horizontal and vertical stripes are worn flat into the surface. The Laurel stem has a good deep strike impression, and shows all of it's individual petals clearly. The Bundle of Arrows unfortunately only has light foot print remaining, and also lacks a clear image of the tips and nock feathers. The George Washington "GW" Monogram has a good strong strike, and is easy to read. The inner definition lines within the letters still show a clear raised image. The Liberty Cap is boldly outlined with a deep impression, but the inner definition lines appear a bit flat in spots. Overall this is a great example with a lot of good retained attributes.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact. For the strictest of accuracy, the previous seller noted a small, extremely shallow rim depression at the 3 o'clock position.

Library Records Has Limited Information WI 23 A-3:
History: Yes          Recorded Sales Price:               Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:                     No

GWI 23-A THE "GW" MONOGRAM WITH AN EAGLE AND LIBERTY CAP

Color: A Nice Stone Brown.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Stamped Design, Brass.
Size: 25mm.
Rarity: R-5 Rating.
Variety Type: Narrow W,
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Example, Exceptional Planchet Casting, Strong Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This is a very nice button with a strong pattern. The brass planchet is solid and flat, and shows no metal fatigue or deterioration. The surface has some discoloration, and is porous around the edges. The Eagle has a good deep strike outline, and still has a nice image of the head and wing feathers. Some of the inner details in the neck, legs, and tail feathers are flat pressed, but good for the most part. The Liberty shield shows a deep strike outline, but the shield's inner horizontal and vertical stripes are worn flat into the surface. The Laurel stem has a good deep strike impression, and shows all of it's individual petals clearly. The Bundle of Arrows also has a strong strike impression, but lacks a clear image of the tips and nock feathers. The "GW" Monogram has a good strong strike, and is easy to read. The inner definition lines within the letters still show a clear raised image. The Liberty Cap is boldly outlined with a deep impression, and the inner definition lines are pretty clear. Overall this is a great example that lasted through time.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The Replacement shank is straight, and intact. The surface shows some mild pitting and pores'

Library Records Has Limited Information WI 23 A-4:
History: Yes          Recorded Sales Price:                Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:                      No

GWI 23-A THE "GW" MONOGRAM WITH AN EAGLE AND LIBERTY CAP

Color: A Dark Brown With Green Encrustations.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Stamped Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 24.5mm.
Rarity: R-5 Rating.
Variety Type: Wide W,
Present Condition: An Excavated Example, Strong Planchet Casting, Strong Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This button is a wonderful example with a nice strong motif. Unfortunately, the brass planchet lost all of its gilding, but the brass is still solid and flat. The button has some minor edge chipping on the right side, but nothing that detracts from the inner design. The surface shows some discoloration to the metals color, and has some green encrustations on the lower half. The Eagle shows a nice deep strike outline, and has a clear image of the head, neck, and wing feathers. The inner feather details of the neck and tail are also nicely exhibited. The Liberty shield outline is still nicely shown, but unfortunately the shield's inner horizontal lines of the top half are almost absent. The vertical stripes in the lower half are still all accounted for, but there are green encrustations covering over the image. The Laurel stem still retains a clear viewable impression, and shows all of it's individual petals clearly. The Bundle of Arrows also has a strong strike impression, and has a strong image of the tips, shafts, and nock feathers. The "GW" Monogram is still easy to read, and clearly shows all the inner definition lines. The Liberty Cap has a nice strong strike, and the inner definition lines are clearly shown. Overall, this is an excellent example that has been nicely preserved.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact. The surface shows some mild pitting and porousness. The raised E & D Gilt mark within the depressed channel still has an outline.

Library Records Has Limited Information WI 23 A-5:
History:   Yes        Recorded Sales Price: Digger Owner
Current Button Owner and Location: ~ North Carolina ~

Excavated by Jimmy Hardison in Washington County, North Carolina in 1980.~

The J. Hardison Collection.
* Jimmy was fortunate enough to excavate three GWI 23-A's.~

GWI 23-A THE "GW" MONOGRAM WITH AN EAGLE AND LIBERTY CAP

Color: A Charcoal Brown With Greenish/White.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Stamped Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 25mm.
Rarity: R-5 Rating.
Variety Type: Wide W,
Present Condition: An Excavated Example, Strong Planchet Casting, Strong Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This is another great example of this rarely seen button. The brass planchet is solid and flat, and only has a little metal deterioration by the means of surface pitting. The button's metal does have some discoloration, but that is expected from it's age. The surface also has some porous areas which are probably from environmental effects. On the positive side, the Eagle has a good deep strike outline, and retains a clear viewable image of the head, neck and wing feathers. The inner feather detail of the neck, legs, and tail are a bit flat pressed, but they still retain a fair amount of viewable detail. The Liberty shield has a nice strike outline for the perimeter, but the shield's inner horizontal lines across the top are almost absent. The vertical stripes in the lower half are all still all accounted for, but do show some flat wear spots. The Laurel stem has a good deep strike impression, and shows all of it's individual petals clearly. The Bundle of Arrows also has a strong strike impression, and has an amazingly clear image of the tips, shafts, and nock feathers. The "GW" Monogram is still easy to read, but the "G" inner definition lines do show some flat wear. The Liberty Cap has a nice strong strike, and all the inner definition lines are pretty clear. Overall, I judge this to be an excellent button that has lasted through time.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact. The surface shows some mild pitting and porousness. The raised E & D Gilt mark within the depressed channel still has an outline.

Library Records Has Limited Information WI 23 A-6:
History: Yes          Recorded Sales Price: Dug By Owner
Current Button Owner and Location: ~ North Carolina ~

Excavated in Washington County North Carolina in 1980 by Jimmy Hardison.~
The J. Hardison Collection.
 

Isabela's Notes: Jimmy Hardison has been a digger since 1966, and has personally dug "3" GWI 23-A's. He has quite a bit of knowledge about old home sites, and has personally dug several kinds of GW buttons. In one phone conversation, he mentioned that his friend dug 2 more that are "not exampled above." Totaling 5 found on this old home site that vanished after 1840. His third was sold to Bill Henderson of the Picket Post which is exampled above.~

Isabela's Notes: At the bottom of the page is a letter written by A. Albert referencing to a back mark of GWI 23-A. He mentions that his collector associates believes that the GWI 23-A with the Back mark "E & D Gilt or Plated: is a re-issue commemorative made in 1799 for Washington's death. After researching Albert's hypothesis, I have come to a different conclusion from Albert's collector associates. The "E & D Gilt or Plated back mark that is in raised letters within a depressed channel was made in the 1790's during Washington's Administration. Being that George Washington was in office from April 30th, 1789 to March 4, 1797, and knowing that inaugural buttons were made during much of this whole time period; I believe that this was either a later made rendition of the original 1st issue without a back mark, or just another (different) Artisan/Craftsman's version that was done at a latter time period of his Presidency. The raised E & D back mark within the depressed channel was known to come out in the 1790's, and this back mark is just one of the earliest known buttons to be produced with it. So in my opinion, this would be a George Washington Inaugural Button, and not a later commemorative re-issue for his death in 1799 as Albert's collector associates hypothesize.