Happy Presidents Day !!

From what I have read about Washington’s mother, she was not “a good mother;” she was a pain in the butt. His brother, Lawrence, was one of his early parental figures.

One of the great things about Washington was that he took on power as a duty and a responsibility, not a mission in life. Given the choice, he would not have served a second term as president.

 

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The medal is from the series 'Americas First Medals' done up by the US Mint back in the seventies and to help commemorate the US bicentennial. It is indeed pewter and the series can be acquired for very little money down.

 

These sets were sold on a subscription basis by the U.S. Mint during the Bicentennial period from, I believe, mid 1975 to 1976. They were sold two at at time with George Washington and Horatio Gates leading off. The set was assembled in an album that looks like this. The best thing about this set, in my opinion, is the booklet on the history of the medals that is included with it.



I have not shopped for one of these sets in over decade, but the last time I handled one, they were going for about $30.

The medal that interests you was based upon this piece.



The Continental Congress voted to award this medal to Washington after he forced the British out of Boston in the spring of 1776. The medal that was awarded to Washington was in gold and it's now held by the Boston public library. Others were struck in Silver and Bronze. This piece is one of the original pieces in bronze. There are about 50 known.

This medal has been reproduced many times in various sizes. The pewter piece that went into the First Medals set is really one of the lesser examples. If you can find one, the price should be very cheap, but there others, priced at only a little higher, that are nicer.

Just to push the history a little further. George Washington received his gold medal in 1789. The French, who had the best metalists in the world at the time, made the Washington piece and all but one of the others. Washington also received this set of silver medals at the time. This set is now held by the Massachusetts Historical Society. Thomas Jefferson brought the medals from France when he returned to the U.S. 1789.





Now you probably know more than you wanted to know.