1789 George Washington Inaugural Button, GWI 22-B
~ The Isabela Collection ~
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GWI 22 “GW” MONOGRAM WITH A PHRYGIAN LIBERTY CAP: This button was engraved (Hand fashioned) in either a Brass, Bronze, or Copper die hub. The Size for both A & B is 25mm., and both have an R-6 Rarity Rating. GWI 22 is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The button’s design has an engraved Patriotic Liberty Cap stamped above George Washington’s, “GW” Monogram. The Monogram uses a Foliated Script style pattern. The Liberty Cap was a very popular symbol for the Colonists who fought for freedom against the British in that era. Even though both buttons are very similar design, only GWI 22-A is from the 1789-97 time period. The first difference is in the impact style used for the Font in the letter “G“. The second pattern difference, is the style of the Liberty Cap depicted. In GWI 22-B, the script font for the letter “G” has a Wide Single Line die cut. The tail has an Extra Small Loop, that is centered in the end swirl before it finishes in a floral vine double split. In GWI 22-A, the script font uses a Thin Double Line for the letter “G“, and has a small Single Line floral vine finish. There is No inside loop centered under the “G” curl. The Liberty Cap for GWI 22-B has a Semi-Two Dimensional Hat image, which uses a number of shaded lines to give the Liberty Cap texture, shape, and definition. In GWI 22-B the Anniversary issue, the Liberty Cap is a Night Cap design (Liberty Never Rests) that doesn’t use any shaded lines, and the hat has a Forward Flop that ends in a point . The word “LIBERTY” is also engraved in small Roman font capital letters in the lower headband portion of the cap.
In my professional opinion on 18th century Royal & Scottish-Rite symbolism, this would be the most significant George Washington Inaugural button to give a window-in behind the thoughts of the engraver’s commission. the button’s insignia successfully uses “Allusion” to incorporate several layers of symbols with alternate meanings. The intent was to utilize Religious (Jesus Christ) authority and morality with the Scottish Royal family’s war. The button demonstrates how the Jacobite worker bees (Stipples around floral) are in concert with the exiled Scottish-Royal Families/Prince Charlie (Hive in hat) with the intent of carrying out the Glorious Revolutions agenda in America. Meaning, the Jacobites were orchestrating this agenda of Revolution through all the neighborhood lodges in every town. (Note Revolution is over) BAMN> to orchestrate and impliment the introduction of a New Republic in America if the proposition of a self-government failed. This button is a “piece that shows this one aspect” in the micro-picture in George Washington inaugural buttons. So, the buttons make a puzzle, and each button is a puzzle piece.- Robert J. Silverstein
*A-1 is denoting a sub-variety of GWI 22-A.~
GWI 22-A “GW” MONOGRAM WITH A PHRYGIAN LIBERTY CAP:
Color: A Charcoal Black with A White Gold Wash in the Design.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Engraved (Hand fashioned), Bronze.
Size: 23.85mm.
Rarity: R-7 (Shaded Liberty Cap Sub Variety)
Variety Type: Two Dimensional Liberty Cap.
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Example, Strong Planchet Casting, Strong Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This particular GW Button shows the extremely rare Bronze color mix of black and white. Bronze is the only metal that can be found in rich gold, blue, green, red, black and brown. I am cataloging this specific button as a sub variety of GWI 22-A because a different die was cut and used for manufacturing. The design is consistent with 22-A’s pattern, but the Liberty Cap shows multiple shaded texture lines with a round top, instead of just two shade lines and pointy top (see Albert’s standard plate design up top). The planchet shows no metal loss, corrosion or deterioration. The button is solid and the surface is predominantly smooth and flat, but there is a few tiny dents of odd sizes. The bronze planchet is slightly thicker and is heavier then other GW buttons of this millimeter size. The surface shows a few tiny spots of microporosity, but nothing to really mention and just noting for accuracy. The fancy foliated style script letters for the “GW” Monogram has a nice deep strike impression, and shows both of the letters clearly without any broken lines. The Liberty Cap has a strong outline strike, and shows all of it’s semi-dimensional shading lines clearly. Overall this is a wonderful example that has kept it’s design impressions intact over time.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank was removed, and smoothed out for a coin collection. The surface shows some minor discoloration, and porous spots.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI 22 A-1:
History: Yes Recorded Sales Price: Yes
Current Button Owner and Location: ~ New York ~
The RJ. Silverstein’s Isabela Collection.
GWI 22-A “GW” MONOGRAM WITH A PHRYGIAN LIBERTY CAP:
Color: A Charcoal Black with A White Gold Wash in the Design.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Engraved (Hand fashioned), Bronze.
Size: 25mm.
Rarity: R-6
Variety Type: Two Dimensional Liberty Cap.
Present Condition: An Excavated Example, Strong Planchet Casting, Strong Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: A very nice rare example to surface recently. The button is solid and flat, and has very little metal deterioration. The button’s surface is predominantly smooth, but there is some minor pitting and edge loss. The bronze planchet is slightly thicker, and heavier then other GW buttons of this millimeter size, so the planchet is more durable. The surface also has a few small areas of micro porosity, but this is normal for a dug button. The fancy floral style script letters for the “GW” Monogram has a nice deep strike impression, and shows both of the letters clearly. There is a small tiny break in the tail of the “G”, but I only mention it to be accurate. The Liberty Cap has a good outline, but the semi-dimensional shading lines are worn flat into the surface. Overall this is very nice example, and a rare Jewel in anyone’s GW Collection.
Reverse Button Analysis: A One-Piece Casting for the Reverse Shank. The shank is original, straight and intact.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI 22 A-2:
History: Yes Recorded Sales Price: Yes
Current Button Owner and Location: ~ Pennsylvania ~
Purchased at Harrisburg Gun Show in 1975.~
The Mark Powers Collection,
GWI 22-B “GW” MONOGRAM WITH A PHRYGIAN LIBERTY CAP
Anniversary issue 1801-1810
Color: A Golden Brown With Hints of Green.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Engraved (Hand fashioned), Gilt Brass.
Size: 25mm.
Rarity: R-6
Variety Type: Liberty Night Cap.
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Example, Exceptional Planchet Casting, Exceptional Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This GW Button is in great condition for it’s age, and shows all clear design impressions from it’s original fabrication. The planchet is solid and even, and shows no metal loss or deterioration. The button shows a wonderful golden brown color tone with a slight green encrustation in the design. The surface is smooth and flat, and doesn’t show any signs of scratches or light abrasions. The fancy foliated style script letters for the “GW” Monogram show a clear double line strike impression, and has clear fluid unbroken lines. The Liberty Cap has a strong outline impression, but the word Liberty in the headband is a bit unclear from the photo provided. Overall this is a wonderful example with some outstanding traits.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact. The word BEST is clearly shown with a ornate flower pattern circling.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI 22 B-1:
History: Yes Recorded Sales Price: Yes
Current Button Owner and Location: Yes
George Washington’s Home at Mt Vernon, Virginia.
Mount Vernon Estate, Museum & Gardens.
GWI 22-B “GW” MONOGRAM WITH A PHRYGIAN LIBERTY CAP
Anniversary Issue 1801-1810
Color: A Golden Brown With Hints of Green.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Engraved (Hand fashioned), Brass.
Size: 25mm.
Rarity: R-6
Variety Type: Liberty Night Cap.
Present Condition: An Excavated Example, Exceptional Planchet Casting, Strong Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This GW Button is in great condition for it’s age, and all the design impressions are clear from it’s original fabrication. The planchet is solid and even, and shows no metal loss or deterioration. The button shows a wonderful golden brown color tone, and has a slight green encrustation in the design. The surface is nice and smooth, and the surface doesn’t show any signs of scratches or abrasions. The fancy foliated style script letters for the “GW” Monogram show a clear double line strike impression, and shows nice fluid unbroken lines. The Liberty Cap has a strong outline impression, but the word Liberty in the headband is a bit unclear from the photo provided. Overall this is a wonderful example with some outstanding traits.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece button with a loop Shank. Unknown information.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI 22 B-2:
History: Yes Recorded Sales Price: Yes
Current Button Owner and Location: Yes
Bergan County Historical Society Member’s Piece.
