"1789" Medal George Washington Copper

Coin Details

Description

This copper medal bearing the date 1789 features a portrait of George Washington, commemorating his inauguration as the first President of the United States on April 30, 1789, at Federal Hall in New York City. The date 1789 appears on numerous Washington medallic issues, as it marks the most consequential moment in the establishment of the American presidency. Washington portrait medals form one of the largest and most actively collected series in American numismatics, with hundreds of varieties cataloged across multiple reference works. This copper example belongs to the broader tradition of Washington commemorative medals that were produced from the late 18th century onward by both American and European die sinkers. The obverse presents a bust of Washington, derived from one of the canonical portraits, while the reverse carries patriotic or commemorative text. Copper was the most common metal for widely distributed commemorative medals, making these pieces accessible to the general public while still serving as tangible connections to the founding era.

Rarity Notes

Availability varies by die variety. Copper Washington medals from this era range from common restrikes to scarce original strikings depending on the specific type.

Cross References

PCGS #911050