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1793-1797
Washington's Federal Eagle With Fifteen Stars
~ Made by an American Citizen
outside of the Freemason Guild ~
WI 27-A Federal Eagle With 15 Stars: Examples of
this button were found in both Brass and Copper. Some of
the discovered specimens have a Gilt or Silver-Wash Finish
brushed on them.
Some examples were even found to have been painted with
a pigment in multiple colors.
Kind of points toward a fashion thing of the times. The button's 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. The button's pattern depicts a
"Crude
Style Depiction"
of a Federal Eagle, and a lined Federal Shield that is blazoned
across it's chest. In the Eagle's left talon is a Small
Bundle of Three Arrows, and in it's right talon is a
crude style Olive Branch is depicted. The Eagle's upraised Wings are
splaying outwards, and it's head is turned toward the
Olive Branch to signify it's preference for peace. Above
the Eagles Head and Shank is, Washington's Name in a
half arc that is inscribed in Roman Font Capital
Letters. Slightly above this is, Fifteen Six Pointed
Asterisk Type Stars in another half arc. This button was
most likely originally used by a Senator or a State Representative
in Congress who was in full support of Washington's
Administration. Then popularity of the style increased
to the broad public and turned into a fashionable item
for all. Unlike a reverse political cuff button from the
later Jacksonian Era, I believe this to be attributed to
Washington's 2nd Administration during 1793-97 with the
salute to the new admission of Vermont and Kentucky as
the 14th & 15th state.
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Washington's Federal Eagle With Fifteen Stars
1793-1797
Robert's Notes: My Current Theory as to Dating:
Unfortunately, I cannot find any historical information
about these early molded political buttons. So one must
take note that these buttons were not made by the same
Freemason Master and apprentices that made the other
original inaugurals. So, at this point I don't know
who originally made the molds and sold them. I
repeatedly go back and forth from early molded military
buttons and to the revolutionary war survivor Andrew
Jackson and his administration's time period. The button
definitely has the Jacksonian style of the 1820's with
none of the earmarks of Freemasonry Skills. I can
only surmise is that
they were originally intended for political use by Senators or
State Representatives in Congress, as opposed to being
made for the general public. But on another note could
have been intended for the public right out of the gate
because of the crude craftsmanship depicted and common
use of molds for civilian buttons. The button shows me
that the maker would not have been part of the engraving
guild and did not have any freemasonry skills.
Another fact is that this button has been dug in at least
three
different Southern States. So this might indicate that
the button had some quantity of production, and used for a number of
years. We know that the state of Vermont was the First
State after the original 13 to join the Union in 1791,
and as a counter balance to slave holding states,
Kentucky was admitted as the 15th state later that same year.
This gives us the 15 stars depicted on this
particular button. George Washington was re-elected
President on March 4, 1793. So this button could have
been manufactured as early as fall of 1792, but most likely
made from February 1793 and throughout his 2nd
administration. We also take
note to GWI 18, this was made for his second
inauguration and also shows 15 Stars
on the field. Another key question i ask
repeatedly to dating is: if done in Jackson's time, why
would they be Gold or Silver Washed and not
electroplated? Why such a crude depiction? So for now, I
am leaning toward Washington's time.
Hi- 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 Silverstein
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WI 27-A Federal Eagle With 15 Stars
1792-1797 Washington Tribute Reverse Political Cuff
Button
Color: A Marble Green Pigment.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Mold Button with Gilt
Finish.
Size: 20.28mm.
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: An Excavated Example, Strong
Planchet Casting, Strong Impressions.
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 what I call a
Reverse Political Cuff Button. (Just wondering how many
Jeffersonian supporters actually wore this...lol) This
is just an amazing specimen, I have only seen 5 other
examples of this button in my lifetime, and all but this
one 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.
Dug in January of 2012 in a field next to a Grist Mill in North
Carolina.
The Isabela Collection.
WI 27-A Federal Eagle With 15 Stars
1792-1797 Washington Tribute Reverse Political Cuff
Button
Color: A Silvery Granite with A Chalk White
Design.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design, Silvered
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: An Excavated Example, Strong
Planchet Casting, Strong Impressions.
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.
Actual Color
Pictured Below
WI 27-A Federal Eagle With 15 Stars
1792-1797 Washington Tribute Reverse Political Cuff
Button
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: An Excavated Example, Strong
Planchet Casting, Strong Impressions.
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.
WI 27-A Federal Eagle With 15 Stars
1792-1797 Washington Tribute Reverse Political Cuff
Button
Color: A Golden Brown with Hints of Red.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design, Gilt
Brass.
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: An Excavated Example, Strong
Planchet Casting, Strong Impressions.
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.
WI 27-A Federal Eagle With 15 Stars
1792-1797 Washington Tribute Reverse Political Cuff
Button
Color: A Green Verde with Gold Highlights.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design, Gilt
Brass.
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: An Excavated Example, Strong
Planchet Casting, Strong Impressions.
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.
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