(1790s) Bronze Medal Washington-Success, Silvered Large, Reeded Edge

Coin Details

Description

The Washington Success medal in silvered large format with reeded edge represents an enhanced version of the standard bronze large Success token, distinguished by its silvered surface treatment. Produced in England during the 1790s, this variety was given a thin coating of silver over the base-metal planchet, through a mercury amalgam silvering process common in the period. The silvering would have given the piece a brighter, more impressive appearance when new, simulating the look of a solid silver medal at a fraction of the cost. The obverse displays the characteristic crude Washington bust with SUCCESS TO THE UNITED STATES, while the reverse features the spread-winged eagle design shared across the Success token series. The reeded edge combined with the silvered surface indicates this was intended as a presentation or premium version of the standard bronze issue. Silvered examples are considerably rarer than plain bronze pieces, as the silvering process was an additional manufacturing step that increased cost, and many silvered specimens have lost their coating over two centuries of handling and environmental exposure. Surviving examples with substantial original silvering intact are particularly prized by collectors of early American Washingtoniana.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Silvered examples are substantially scarcer than plain bronze versions. Most surviving pieces show partial or complete loss of the original silvering. Examples retaining strong silvering command significant premiums.

Cross References

Baker-265A (silvered); Musante GW-41; PCGS #974000