Small size (fake?) Linked States George Washington inaugural button

jonathanb

An interesting Linked States George Washington inaugural button just closed on eBay. This button is very popular but not terribly rare. There are several dozen examples in the Stack's and Heritage archives. The final price on eBay $2575.25 is a reasonable price compared to previous sales.

The odd part is the size. This button is only listed as 34 mm, and all of the examples in the archives are 34 mm. The one that closed on eBay is less than an inch in diameter, I estimate maybe 23 or 24 mm.

I don't hate how this looks. But it's hard to get around the small size. I think this "has to be" it has to be a fake of some sort. On the other hand, it's odd for someone to get the size wrong by a full centimeter if they were trying to deceive. if they weren't trying to deceive (as a tourist piece, for example), I would have expected to find other examples online in this smaller size.

Has anyone seen a similar small-size piece, or have other comments?

Givaudan

I vote authentic. Perhaps an unlisted variety.

johnny9434

Interesting piece 🤔

messydesk

Here's a larger one for comparison. The script lettering is much more elegantly executed.

Seller also has this in a $5K BIN https://www.ebay.com/itm/376926041726

Another possibility is that it's a centennial souvenir button made in 1889. There were many manufacturers of souvenirs for the celebration/expo surrounding the centennial of Washington's inauguration. I looked through the photos of Jimmy Hayes' collection and didn't see something like that, but that doesn't mean nothing like it was made then.

jonathanb

That's odd for the seller to relist. Now that I look closer, the seller has LOTS of negative feedback for selling fakes. I guess that answers that.

Too bad. I hoped it was interesting.

BillJones

@messydesk said:
Here's a larger one for comparison. The script lettering is much more elegantly executed.

Seller also has this in a $5K BIN https://www.ebay.com/itm/376926041726

Another possibility is that it's a centennial souvenir button made in 1889. There were many manufacturers of souvenirs for the celebration/expo surrounding the centennial of Washington's inauguration. I looked through the photos of Jimmy Hayes' collection and didn't see something like that, but that doesn't mean nothing like it was made then.

My experience has been the original, pieces from 1789, are thin. The 1889 pieces are thicker.

CaptHenway

No clue.
I would be swayed by the seller’s history.