1803 White Metal Medal GW-87, Fame Wisdom Virtue & Patriotism

Coin Details

Auction Record

$552 AU Details 11-18-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

The 1803 medal GW-87 in white metal bears the inscription "Fame Wisdom Virtue & Patriotism," a quartet of qualities that early nineteenth-century Americans associated with George Washington. This medal was produced during the period when Washington's legacy was being actively shaped by eulogists, biographers, and commemorative artists who sought to define the first president's character for posterity. The four virtues named on this medal — Fame, Wisdom, Virtue, and Patriotism — represent the idealized portrait of Washington that emerged in the years following his death. Fame acknowledged his international reputation; Wisdom reflected his judgment in both military and political affairs; Virtue encompassed his personal character and moral leadership; and Patriotism captured his selfless devotion to the American cause. This formulation drew on classical models of civic virtue that the founding generation consciously emulated. White metal was chosen for this 1803 commemorative as an affordable medium for broad distribution. The early years of the nineteenth century saw continued demand for Washington memorials, driven by ongoing public mourning, the publication of the first major Washington biographies, and the growth of American nationalism in the post-Revolutionary period. GW-87 represents the transition from immediate mourning pieces to reflective commemoratives that sought to define Washington's legacy in systematic terms.

Rarity Notes

White metal composition. Early nineteenth-century Washington commemoratives in white metal are condition-sensitive. The 1803 date places this in the early memorial period.

Cross References

Musante-Baker GW-87; PCGS #826251