(1790s) Medal Wash-Success, Sm., Silvered Hand-Scalloped Edge

Coin Details

Description

This silvered medal with hand-scalloped edge is a small-size variant of the Washington SUCCESS medal series, one of the most studied groups in early American numismatics. The Success medals, produced in England in the late 18th century, feature a crude portrait of George Washington on the obverse with the inscription SUCCESS TO THE UNITED STATES. The reverse typically shows a heraldic design. The hand-scalloped edge — created by manually cutting or filing the rim into a decorative pattern — distinguishes this as a special variety within the series. The small size further differentiates it from the large-format versions. The silvered surface, applied over the base metal, was intended to give the piece a more prestigious appearance. Success medals have been the subject of extensive numismatic research, with debate continuing about their exact date, place of manufacture, and original purpose — whether they were circulating tokens, commemorative pieces, or gaming counters. Their crude but charming portrait of Washington and their association with the earliest years of the republic ensure their continued popularity among collectors.

Rarity Notes

Rare. The combination of small size, silvered surface, and hand-scalloped edge makes this a distinctive and uncommon variety within the Success medal series.

Cross References

PCGS #899736; Washington Success Medal series