1889 Medal Douglas-28 White Metal Holed Inauguration Centennial

Coin Details

Auction Record

$89 MS63 08-22-2021 Heritage Auctions

Description

This holed white metal medal from 1889, cataloged as Douglas-28, is another variety from the Washington Inaugural Centennial celebration series. The large number of Douglas-cataloged varieties reflects the vigorous competition among medal manufacturers to supply the centennial market. Each variety features a different design, portrait, or inscription, creating a rich and diverse body of centennial material. The holed condition was standard for medals worn during the celebrations, as most attendees wanted to display their souvenirs visibly rather than merely carrying them in pockets. The centennial of Washington's inauguration held particular significance in 1889 because the nation was experiencing a period of rapid industrial transformation that was creating both enormous wealth and severe social dislocation. By celebrating Washington's inauguration, Americans sought to reconnect with the founding ideals of republican virtue and civic duty that seemed threatened by the materialism and corruption of the Gilded Age. These centennial medals served as physical links between the contemporary celebrations and the historical event they commemorated.

Rarity Notes

Holed white metal medal from 1889. Douglas-28. Centennial commemorative. Moderate scarcity within the extensive Douglas catalog of centennial medals.

Cross References

PCGS #883433; Douglas-28; Washington Inaugural Centennial 1889