27373

George Washington Shank Button Circa 1780

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
George Washington Shank Button Circa 1780
<B>Circa 1780's George Washington Shank Button</B></I> <BR>This most unusual portrait button is the only item in this section not having the Cobb-Piercy-Broyles provenance. Two examples of this variety, to the best of our knowledge never before seen, were recently sold on eBay. This is one of those examples. It features a rather "folk-arty" profile of Washington in a Roman-style toga, and wearing a laurel wreath crown, probably signifying his victory in the Revolutionary War. "Gen. Washington" in archaic-style lettering. The portrait is in the style of the 1783 "Georguis Triumpho" token, struck in Britain to honor Washington's victory, and numerous tokens struck in Britain and America, for circulation here, picturing Washington looking like George III (see illustrations). The metal appears to be silver, although we have not had it tested. Despite the crude quality of the bust, the manufacturing is of high quality, suggesting it may well be of British manufacture, although doubtless intended for the American market. Condition is beautiful. There is very minor, light wear; the grade would be at least Extremely Fine. There is light attractive toning on both obverse and reverse which enhance the button's visual appeal. Distinctive oval shape, measuring 18 mm x 14 mm. The value is very hard to set, given no apparent track record. Brass GW Inaugural buttons with his portrait, also extremely rare, fetch in the $20,000 range, but the comparison may be unfair, as they are, rightly or wrongly, considered part of the highly collectible Inaugural button series. An equally diminutive oval brass shank button picturing John Adams, also quite rare but a known item, fetched $6,300 in Slater's July 2004 auction. (While the obverse of that button is not executed with the same skill as the present Washington example, the reverse was strikingly similar in appearance). We feel the estimate offered here may be a conservative one, considering the appealing appearance and apparent rarity of this item. <BR><BR><B>Important notice:</B> Heritage usually auctions material at the rate of 200-250 lots per hour. On some occasions eBay Live bid software or the Internet may not be able to keep up with the pace of the auction. We recommend placing a realistic absentee bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Occasionally the auctioneer may eliminate or reject an eBay Live bid, and the auctioneer may also reopen a lot after the close of the eBay live bidding (usually because we missed an audience bid), and may reject your bid even if it shows you as the winning bidder. By bidding via eBay Live, you agree that Heritage may award the lot to another bidder at its sole discretion under the circumstances described above or any other reasonable circumstances. Since eBay bids are not shown to us until we open the lot on the floor, we treat those bids just like floor bids. In most cases the floor responds before the eBay bid is presented to us, due to Internet lag time, so for consistency we have made it a policy that floor bids are always considered first over tie eBay live bids. Also please note that all Heritage lots purchased through eBay Live carry a 20% Buyer's Premium. Please make sure you read the Terms and Conditions before you bid. Lot:27373