1897 Bronze Medal GW-1020, Washington Monument

Coin Details

Description

The 1897 bronze medal GW-1020 commemorates a Washington Monument, part of the continuing tradition of monument construction and dedication that spanned the nineteenth century. The 1897 date may commemorate the dedication of a specific local monument or the anniversary of an existing one. Bronze composition indicates standard commemorative production. Washington Monument medals from the 1890s document the later phase of the monument-building movement that had begun with the Washington National Monument in the 1840s. The GW-1020 catalog number places this among the later entries in the Musante-Baker reference for Washington commemorative medals. The demand for Washington commemorative pieces was particularly intense during centennial celebrations, with the 1876 Centennial, 1882-1883 evacuation anniversaries, and 1887 Constitutional Centennial generating large numbers of medallic issues.

Rarity Notes

Bronze. Washington Monument medal, 1897.

Cross References

Musante-Baker GW-1020; PCGS #930551; Washington Monument