(1860) Brass Medal GW-368, Bushnell Quando Ullum

Coin Details

Description

This brass medal cataloged as GW-368 was produced circa 1860 by Charles Ira Bushnell and bears the Latin inscription "Quando Ullum" — "When [shall we see his] like [again]?" — a classical mourning phrase lamenting the irreplaceable loss of Washington. Bushnell was one of the most important American numismatists of the nineteenth century, author of "An Arrangement of Tradesmen's Cards, Political Tokens, &c." (1858), and an avid collector whose holdings eventually formed a cornerstone of the American Numismatic Society's collection. His personal medals and tokens, like this one, served as calling cards within the numismatic fraternity. The "Quando Ullum" sentiment was widely used on Washington mourning medals and memorial pieces from 1799 onward, expressing the national grief at Washington's death and the conviction that no future leader could equal him. The brass composition provided an attractive gold-like appearance for this collector-oriented piece that combined classical learning with patriotic memorial sentiment.

Rarity Notes

GW-368, brass. Bushnell issue. Quando Ullum mourning theme. Limited distribution among numismatic circles.

Cross References

PCGS #826356; GW-368; Bushnell Quando Ullum, brass