1776 (1798) GW IPM

HandH · August 25, 2016 11:39AM

1776 (1798) George Washington "Seasons" Medal. "The Spinner" (No. 3). Bronze. 48.3 mm. 752 grains. Julian IP-52, Belden plate 14, Prucha-37. Plain edge. Hole on edge at 12 o'clock where hanger was attached. Designed by John Trumbull and struck in England at the mint of Boulton and Watt from dies by Conrad Kuchler. Mintage: with loop, 58. Obverse: Domestic indoor scene with one women spinning and another weaving. At left, a child rocking an infant. In exergue, " U.S.A.". On exergual line, "C.H.K.F.". Reverse: "SECOND PRESIDENCY OF GEO. WASHINGTON MDCCXCVI" within an open wreath of oak and laurel. Secretary of War James McHenry wrote in October 1796 to the American minister in England Rufus King that the American government wanted certain Indian Peace Medals executed in that country. King turned to John Trumbull, an American artist living in England. Trumbull worked slowly and it was not until August 1797 that drawings of the desired designs were produced. The medals were shipped in the summer of 1798. A mintage of 500 silver and 200 copper medals of three designs (The Shepard, The Sower, and The Spinner) were ordered, but it is uncertain if all of these were struck. The original medals were looped at 12 o'clock. Many of these medals were distributed by Lewis and Clark on their westward expedition of 1804-1806.