GWI 10-B
The Script “GW” Monogram W/ Old World Cross Border Ornaments
GWI 10-A & B: THE SCRIPT “GW” MONOGRAM W/ OLD WORLD CROSS BORDER ORNAMENTS: GWI 10 was stamped on brass and copper round planchets. GWI 10-B’s specimens were known to have a Gilt finish. The Size for both A & B is around 35mm. GWI 10-A & B have an R-6 Rarity Rating. GWI 10-A & B are all one-piece buttons with soldered on loop shanks. At this point in time (2017), all the known specimens are dug, and most were found by metal detector enthusiasts in the southern states. There are 2 main differences between GWI 10-A & B. GWI 10-A has a definable Raised Concentric Ring W/ A Plain Edge. (There might have been a replacement die in-which the ring was cut slightly convex). GWI 10-B has a large Flat Concentric Ring Illusion, and utilizes an ornate Raised Double Row of Stipples. This feature defines the inner and outer portions of the ring’s border. Both varieties use the same Ornate Script “GW” Monogram. (This unusual font’s usage might have been used as the artists distinguishing feature between GWI 9 and GWI 10. Both share the same concentric ring design platform). The GW monograms are cut in high relief, and set off a circular stippled field in the buttons center. The fancy font shows two Ornamental Swirls connected off the ends of the “W.“ Circling around the outside legend is a flush narrow channel with the button’s slogan on a stipple field. (The button actually defines the depth of the channel by the boundaries of the inner concentric ring and the outer raised edge. This gives the illusion of the channel’s depth). The button’s inaugural slogan, “Long Live The President,” is in all raised Roman font capital letters. In-between each word is the simple artistic Stipple Cross. This symbol’s design pattern is representational of the Old World European Cross. This is the defining Christian symbolism on GWI 10; Just as the common line cross is used in the bottom legend on other varieties of George Washington inaugural buttons. In GWI 10’s design, the Four Raised Ornamental Stipples is placed in 4 spots in-between each of the words.
Robert’s Notes
-Instead of making GWI 10-B a sub-variant to GWI 10-A, I decided to make GWI 10-B a new Sub-Variety within the GWI 10 family. My reasoning is that there are “3” pattern variation between the two dies to warrant a “B” classification, but the sub-variety is reasonably kept within the pattern’s family.
– Collector’s should note, GWI 9, “The Dotted Script GW Monogram” & GWI 10 share the same concentric ring pattern design platform. The three distinct differences are: GW monogram font, legend symbol, and legend font.
– It is reasonable to assume that The Old World Cross might have been used as an allusion by the Scottish Artisans. Their way of stating America will be a Christian backed Country and sanctioned by the representation of an ancient Biblical Cross design. Lends ancient heraldry sanctioned by God!
– I could not find an inception date, but the 4 Stipple Cross was definitely used by 12th Century monks.
– This new sub-variety GWI 10-B was first re-discovered in the 1970’s by a metal detector enthusiast who found two of them buried together.
Master Mason Engraver: Prominent Maker’s Marks Smaller Maker’s Marks
Fellow-Craft Engravers:
GWI 10-B THE SCRIPT “GW” MONOGRAM W/ OLD WORLD CROSS BORDER ORNAMENTS
Color: A Golden-Brown Patina W/ Patches of Gilt.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 35.01mm.
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: 2 Concentric Stippled Rings / Flat Concentric Ring / 3 Old World Cross Border Ornament.
Present Condition: An Dug Specimen, A Strong Planchet Condition Remains, A Strong High Relief Pattern Remains.
Obverse Button Analysis:
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece button with a soldered on loop shank. The Shank is Original, but crushed inward.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI 10 B-1:
History: 2 Gen. Recorded Sales Price Yes
Current Button Owner and Location: No
Previously, the Scott Dolson Collection.
GWI 10-B THE SCRIPT “GW” MONOGRAM W/ OLD WORLD CROSS BORDER ORNAMENTS
Color: A Natural Golden-Brown Patina.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 35mm.
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: Flat Concentric Ring /2 Concentric Stippled Rings / 3 Old World Cross Border Ornament.
Present Condition: A Dug Specimen, A Strong Planchet Condition Remains, A Strong High Relief Pattern Remains.
Obverse Button Analysis: This is a wonderful example of this rare variety. The button appears to be almost unblemished, even though it was buried for countless years. So, the obvious conclusion is that the button was cleaned after being dug. This appears to be the best example known for this re-discovered sub-variety.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece button with a soldered on loop shank. Unknown information about reverse.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI 10 B-2:
History: Yes Recorded Sales Price No
Current Button Owner and Location: No
Two GWI 10-B’s were excavated in South Carolina in the 1970’s.~
GWI 10-B THE SCRIPT “GW” MONOGRAM W/ OLD WORLD CROSS BORDER ORNAMENTS
Color: Rustic With Patches of Yellow Gold.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 35mm.
Rarity: R-6
Variety Type: 2 Concentric Stippled Rings / Flat Concentric Ring / 3 Old World Cross Border Ornament.
Present Condition: A Dug Specimen, A Strong Planchet Condition Remains, A Strong High Relief Pattern Remains.
Obverse Button Analysis: This is a nice find. Glad to add to the numbers for collectors. Well done. Please write in your name and digger information on the find.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece button with a soldered on loop shank. Unknown information about reverse.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI 10 B-3:
History: Yes Recorded Sales Price No
Current Button Owner and Location: No
GWI 10-A THE SCRIPT “GW” MONOGRAM W/ OLD WORLD CROSS BORDER ORNAMENTS
Color: A Charcoal Brown W/ Rusty Orange Undertones.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 35mm.
Rarity: R-6
Variety Type: Raised Concentric Ring W/ A Plain Edge / 3 Old World Cross Border Ornament.
Present Condition: A Dug Specimen, A Good Planchet Condition Remains, A Good High Relief Pattern Remains.
Obverse Button Analysis: This is a fine Rustic example, and a welcome into the ranks of the GWI 10-A family.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat back one-piece button with a soldered on loop shank. The shank is original and intact, but crushed inward. Very porous and corroded surface.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI 10 A.1:
History: Yes Recorded Sales Price: Yes
Current Button Owner and Location: ~ Indiana ~
Dug in North Carolina in 2006.~
GWI 10-A THE SCRIPT “GW” MONOGRAM W/ OLD WORLD CROSS BORDER ORNAMENTS
Color: A Natural Brown Patina With Green Verdigris.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 35mm.
Rarity: R-6
Variety Type: Raised Concentric Ring W/ A Plain Edge / 3 Old World Cross Border Ornament.
Present Condition: A Dug Specimen, A Good Planchet Condition Remains, A Good High Relief Pattern Remains.
Obverse Button Analysis: This is a wonderful example of this rare variety. The button appears to be almost unblemished, even though it was buried for countless years. So the obvious conclusion is that the button was cleaned after being excavated. This appears to be the best example known for this re-discovered sub-variety.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece button with a soldered on loop shank. Unknown information about reverse.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI 10 A.2:
History: Yes Recorded Sales Price No
Current Button Owner and Location: No
GWI 10-A THE SCRIPT “GW” MONOGRAM W/OLD WORLD CROSS BORDER ORNAMENTS
Color: Algae Green.
Metal: 1-Piece, Slightly Convex, Raised Design, Copper.
Size: 35mm.
Rarity: R-6
Variety Type:Raised Concentric Ring W/ A Plain Edge / 3 Old World Cross Border Ornament.
Present Condition: A Dug Specimen, A Good Planchet Condition Remains, A Good High Relief Pattern Remains.
Obverse Button Analysis: Maybe one in every thousand dug buttons has this special green shade from the soil. The brass planchet appears solid, and the surface is mostly free of any deep scratches or abrasions. There maybe be some micro porosity around the edges, and in the center well, but very minimal. The center well still has a nice impression, and gives the raised monogram good volume. The fancy script “GW” Monogram is nicely elevated, and has a good clear image of the letters. The Ornamental Swirls off the “W” are both nicely raised, and show strong unbroken fluid lines. The Convex Field Ring is granular in nature but free of physical indents to the surface. The Roman Font Capital Letters for the Slogan are all worn down, but still easy to read. The Old World Cross Stipples have a clear image, but some of the dots worn into the surface. Like the ones between the “E” and “T” & “E” & “P”. Overall this is still an good example with a strong pattern.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat back one-piece button with a soldered on loop shank. Unknown information about reverse.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI 10 A-3:
History: Yes Recorded Sales Price No
Current Button Owner and Location: No
Excavated by John in 2006.~
GWI 10-B THE SCRIPT “GW” MONOGRAM W/ OLD WORLD CROSS BORDER ORNAMENTS
Color: Algae Green Over Charcoal Brown.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Raised Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 35mm.
Rarity: R-6
Variety Type: 2 Concentric Stippled Rings / Flat Concentric Ring / 3 Old World Cross Border Ornament.
Present Condition: A Dug Specimen, A Fair Planchet Condition, A Good High Relief Pattern Remains.
Obverse Button Analysis:
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece button with a soldered on loop shank. Unknown information about reverse.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI 10 B-4:
History: Yes Recorded Sales Price No
Current Button Owner and Location: No
Excavated by Lee Phillips in March 2007.~
GWI 10-A THE SCRIPT “GW” MONOGRAM W/ OLD WORLD CROSS BORDER ORNAMENTS
Color: A Brass Yellow with Olive Undertones.
Metal: 1-Piece, Slightly convex, Raised Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 35mm.
Rarity: R-6
Variety Type: Raised Concentric Ring W/ A Plain Edge / 3 Old World Cross Border Ornament.
Present Condition: A Dug Specimen, A Good Planchet Condition Remains, A Good High Relief Pattern Remains.
Obverse Button Analysis: Just wondering if sun glasses were an option with this button? I guess when they excavated it, it was cleaned incorrectly with some kind of brass polish. The planchet is still solid, but does show indents on the field ring. The surface is a bit uneven, and has small shallow depressions throughout. On the positive side, there are no scratches or abrasions. The button shows some micro porosity in the center well, as well as inside the legend channel. The center well still has a nice impression, and adequately gives the raised monogram’s letters good volume. The fancy script “GW” Monogram is still nicely elevated, and shows a good clear image of the letters. The bottom of the G’s tail is a bit flat pressed, but only minimal. The Ornamental Swirls off the “W” are both nicely raised, and show good fluid lines. The Convex Field Ring is nicely elevated, but has multiple small indents on the surface. Possibly a bit porous around the 3 O’clock position. The Roman Font Capital Letters for the Slogan are a bit flat pressed and worn down, but they are clear and readable. The Old World Cross Ornaments that separate the words still have an image, but are also worn down into the surface. Aside from the unprofessional cleaning with polish, this is a nice example with a strong pattern.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat back one-piece button with a soldered on loop shank. Unknown information about reverse.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI 10 A-4:
History: Yes Recorded Sales Price: No
Current Button Owner and Location: No
Excavated in 2006.~
GWI 10-A THE SCRIPT “GW” MONOGRAM W/ OLD WORLD CROSS BORDER ORNAMENTS
Color: Mud Brown.
Metal: 1-Piece, Slightly convex, Raised Design, Copper.
Size: 35mm.
Rarity: R-6
Variety Type: No Concentric Stippled Rings / Raised Concentric Ring / 3 Old World Cross Border Ornament.
Present Condition: A Dug Specimen, A Fair Planchet Condition Remains, A Fair High Relief Pattern Remains.
Obverse Button Analysis: Feels like this button was just pulled out of the mud and stayed that way.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat back one-piece button with a soldered on loop shank. Unknown information about reverse.
Library Records Has Limited Information WI 10 A-5:
History: Yes Recorded Sales Price: No
Current Button Owner and Location: No
Excavated in November 2007.~