1889 Medal Douglas-52A White Metal Inauguration Centennial

Coin Details

Auction Record

$690 SP64 08-31-2022 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1889 white metal medal, cataloged as Douglas-52A, is the companion piece to the copper version (Douglas-52) commemorating the centennial of George Washington's inauguration. White metal — a tin-based alloy — was commonly used for commemorative medals in the nineteenth century because it was inexpensive, cast well, and could be distributed widely to the public. The lower cost compared to copper or bronze allowed broader distribution, ensuring that the centennial celebration reached beyond wealthy collectors to ordinary citizens who wished to own a keepsake of the occasion. The Douglas-52A variant is tracked separately in the Douglas catalog of inauguration medals, which systematically documents the metallic variants of each issue. White metal medals are generally more fragile than their copper counterparts and are susceptible to bending and environmental damage, which makes well-preserved examples desirable despite the originally large production numbers.

Rarity Notes

Douglas-52A, white metal composition. More widely distributed than copper version but survival rate is lower due to fragility of white metal.

Cross References

PCGS #528683; Douglas-52A; Washington Inauguration Centennial Medal, White Metal; April 30, 1789