(1800) Bronze Medal Washington Funeral, Urn

Coin Details

Auction Record

$19,200 XF40BN 11-09-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

A bronze medal commemorating the funeral of George Washington, featuring an urn design on one side, produced circa 1800. The funeral urn was the dominant visual symbol of Washington's death and memorial period, appearing on everything from medals and prints to needlework and ceramics. On this medal, the urn represents the classical funerary tradition that Washington's contemporaries employed to honor the fallen leader, drawing parallels between Washington and the great heroes of Roman antiquity. The obverse carries a portrait of Washington or additional funerary text, while the reverse prominently displays the memorial urn. These bronze funeral medals were produced in the months following Washington's death on December 14, 1799 to meet the enormous public demand for mourning keepsakes. The nation observed an extended period of mourning with ceremonies, processions, and sermons in virtually every community, and medals like this served as lasting mementos of the national grief. Bronze, medium format.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Bronze funeral medals with urn design are collectible examples of the national mourning period following Washington's death.

Cross References

Baker catalog (related funeral types); Musante GW-70 series