25006

Revolutionary Era Silver G. Washington Cufflink Extremely Rare Circa 1775-1780 Coin Silver George Wa

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Revolutionary Era Silver G. Washington Cufflink Extremely Rare Circa 1775-1780 Coin Silver George Wa
<B>Extremely Rare Circa 1775-1780 Coin Silver George Washington Shanked Cufflink.</B></I> In our November 2004 auction (#609 Lot 27373), we offered a nearly identical example. At that time we noted that two of these had turned up on eBay, and that this was one of them. Well, the present example is the other! Since last November we have obtained a little more detailed information about these fascinating pieces. When they first appeared on eBay, they were represented as a pair of cufflinks. However, the buyer, who consigned one to us, believed them to be simply two examples of a shank-back clothing button. But it seems that the original assumption was correct: these were actually a pair of cufflinks, made of coin silver in France during the Revolutionary War Period. The rather generic image is actually a Roman style leader, with laurel wreath in his hair, used because presumably the French maker had no image of Washington to work with (The many familiar images of Washington were all painted or engraved much later). France was, of course, a supporter of the American side in this conflict (or, more accurately, an enemy of the British), ultimately intervening on the rebels side and, in the opinion of many historians, tipping the balance in the war to the victorious Americans. For the time being, it will not be possible to re-unite these cufflinks as a pair, inasmuch as they have different owners. The first one sold last November for $5750. But at least we have been able to obtain the second one to be offered in this current auction. Like the first example, it is richly patinated and in beautiful condition. Our research still fails to disclose any other extant examples. Diameter 17mm.