Washington Before Boston Medal

BillJones

A few weeks ago I mentioned that had an original Washington Before Boston medal. I have attached pictures of it to this message.

The Continental Congress awarded this medal to George Washington soon after he forced the British to evacuate Boston in March of 1776. It took a long time for the government to get around to awarding the medals, however, and Washington did not get his unique gold medal until March of 1790. The piece still exists, and it now held by the Boston Public Library. This medal is quite large. It is almost two and three quarters inches in diameter.

My bronze medal was struck by the French sometime between 1790 and 1800. As such it is considered to be an important piece. Overall I would estimate that 40 to 50 of these bronze medals still exist in all grades. Several sets of additional dies have been made over the years, but all of those latter pieces are not as highly prized.

All of the medals in this series of Revolutionary War awards were designed and struck by the French except the Henry Lee medal, which was executed by U.S. Mint engraver, Joseph Wright.

If there is sufficient interest, I’ll provide more information about this piece.

TomB

Very cool medal, Bill! Of course there is sufficient interest to learn more about this medal and the entire series. How many medals commemorating individual feats were designed and struck? I'm certain there must be a reference that will tell me the answer but I don't think I have it. Thanks for taking the time to share this.

abuell

Darned nice WBB medal. Now, Bill, where is the gold one????

TONEDDOLLARS

Bill Jones is a very knowledgable numismatist. He prints out articles and leaves them at local coin shows in the Boston area. He also gives talks at certain shows. i always grab his hand outs because you will learn something new every time. Anytime Bill offers we should all encourage him to do so.

DHeath

Thank you for the lesson Bill. Fascinating piece. I also appreciate the look.

BillJones

Hi TomB!

Here's a list of the Comitia Americana medals that were issued to Revolutionary War heroes:

Washington before Boston Medal – Gold medal

Major General Horatio Gates – Victory are Saratoga 1777 – Gold medal

Storming of Stony Point (On the Hudson River north of NYC)
Brigadier General Anthony Wayne – Gold medal
Lieutenant Colonel Louis De Fleury – Silver medal
Major John Stewart – Silver medal – (This is the one medal in the series that is virtually unobtainable.)

Attack on Paulus Hook – (located in New Jersey across from Manhattan)
Major Henry Lee – Gold medal (father of Confederate General Robert E. Lee)
The medal may not have been issued to Lee – it’s a long story.

Captain John Paul Jones – Gold medal – Naval battle between the Bonhomme Richard and the Serapis.

The Battle of the Cowpens
Brigadier General Daniel Morgan – Gold medal
Lieutenant Colonel William Washington – Silver medal (William Washington was the historical inspiration for Mel Gibson’s character in the movie “The Patriot.”
Lieutenant Colonel John Eager Howard – Silver medal

Major General Nathanael Greene - Gold medal – The Battle of Eutaw Springs

Additional medals

Libertas Americana Medal – Marked the Treaty of Paris which ended the American Revolutionary War. This piece was the inspiration for the Pole to Cap design that appeared on the early half cents and large cents.

Benjamin Franklin Medal – Two types - Franklin was instrumental in negotiating the design and striking of these medals.

I have all of these medals in some form except the Stewart piece of which there may be only one struck copy. The collection is in distant safe deposit box. Over time I’ll post more pictures if there sufficient interest.