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(1862) Silver Medal GW-553, Mule Washington-Equestrian A.J.

Strike Type

Coin Details

Denomination

Medals

Strike Type

Regular Strike

Series

George Washington Medals

Composition

Silver

Value Estimates

Up to $3,600

Values from published price guides and, in some cases, recorded auction sales. For most coins the range runs from a well-worn example (around G-4) to an uncirculated one, but individual coins can sell for more or less depending on grade, eye appeal and demand. Compare recent sales of similar coins for a closer estimate.

Auction Record

Price realized: $3,600
Sold: 30 November 2021
Grade: MS64
Auction house: Stack's Bowers

Description

This silver medal cataloged as GW-553 is a mule combining a Washington obverse with an Equestrian reverse featuring the initials "A.J.," produced circa 1862. The mule format — combining obverse and reverse dies from different medal pairs — indicates this was a deliberate numismatic creation rather than a conventional commemorative. The "A.J." initials on the equestrian reverse identify the die sinker or issuer, though the exact attribution remains a subject of scholarly discussion. The combination of Washington's portrait with an equestrian scene creates a piece that celebrates Washington in two modes simultaneously — as a statesman on the obverse and as a military commander on the reverse. Silver mule medals are among the scarcest items in the GW series because they were produced in very small quantities for collectors who appreciated unusual die combinations. This piece exemplifies the creative experimentation that characterized mid-nineteenth century private die sinkers working in the Washington commemorative market.