GWI 14-A Colonial Style Border With A Federal Eagle & Star: From the only two surviving specimens known, I am able to determine that this button was made in both Brass and Copper. I do not believe a crude-style button as this would have had Gold or Silver finishes. As with all other GW Inaugurals and New Nation tribute buttons the design was originally engraved in a round steel die hub and then stamped onto a blank metal planchet. This most likely made by an American Jeweler or Coppersmith who was not part of the Freemason guild. The button's crude style cuts and depiction would support my hypothesis. Engraving guilds maintained a level of quality and pride in their works. I do not believe they would have marketed a crude cut piece such as this. On the other hand, I would value and prize this more by this button actually representing an American Artisan who was not privy to techniques or skills of Freemasons. (As they say, might not be the best, but made in America still carries a lot of pride). The Size for GWI 14-A is 34mm, and has a R-7 Rating. This is a one-piece button with a soldered on loop shank. This GW Inaugural button is adorned with the common Colonial-Style border design. In the center is a tribute to George Washington's administration by using his chosen federal Military Coat of Arms. Stamped in the center of the button is a small depiction of a crude-style cut Federal Eagle that is set on a plain field. Circling around the eagle is an incuse ring with a short lined  Sun Burst emanating outward. This might have several meaning. It can either be a tribute to Washington's administration, or a the sun shining on our new country from a new government. Maybe both, only the engraver would know for sure. On the Eagle's chest is a small unrefined Federal Shield. Clutched tightly in the Eagle's left talon is a small Bundle of Three Arrows. In the Eagle's right talon is the ancient Roman Symbol for Peace, The Olive Branch. As with most other GW Inaugural buttons, the eagle's head is wisely turned toward the Olive Branch, to symbolize our country's sentiment for peace. Directly above the eagle's head is an Estoile type Star. Encompassing the Rays is a second stipple Ring. This helps separate the inner sun flair pattern with the decorative Colonial-Style edge border. This Colonial-Style design depicts a series of incuse Crescent Moons that has a crimped Triangle Notch in-between. This gives the button's edge a depth perception as well as a flamboyant decorative design.

GWI 14 -A COLONIAL STYLE BORDER WITH AN EAGLE AND STAR

Color: A Steel Grey with Dark Green Encrustation.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Stamped Design, Brass.
Size: 31.86mm. 74.3 Grains.
Rarity: R-7
Variety Type: GWI 14-A.
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Good Planchet Condition, Good Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This button still shows a nice balance of design impressions. The brass planchet is thicker then most GW buttons and is solid. Unfortunately this is the Best specimen known to exist. The surface has an almost granular texture to the touch, and shows both corrosive and micro porous properties throughout. Fortunately the obverse shows no scratches or rough abrasions due to external trauma. The federal style eagle has a light foot print that is only skin deep, but still retains a nice outline and image. Unfortunately, any of the original crude-style depictions of the head, body, and feathers is decayed or lost to elemental corrosion. The Liberty Shield only shows a perimeter outline with no inner line detail. The Estoile is decayed into the surface, and only shows a remnant image of it's former impression. The thinly stamped incuse ring for the sun's rays still shows a a good solid impression, but has worn smooth into the surface in the lower left 5 o'clock position. The Sun's Flairs still depict a strong image with easily identifiable lines. There are several spots between the 1:00 and 3:00 that only retains a remnant image. The outside stipple border ring is mostly invisible, but there does show some remnant stipples from the 3:00 to 8:00 o'clock position. The Colonial-Style Crescent Moon design around the Border still retains a good deep impression with a clear image. The Triangle Notches in-between are decayed and hard to see, but there are still a handful that show good form: at 11:00, 2:00, and 3:00 o'clock positions. This is actually an extraordinary find. First, I do not believe these were sold everywhere as other popular varieties were. Second, I only believe there were a limited number of these produced and purchased with competition of other popular choices. Third, this is a great representation of American Artistry outside of freemasonry engraving guild. A serious collector should obtain any specimen he can get if one comes available.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece button with a soldered on loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact. The reverse shows a coarse porous surface with corrosion, and green verdigris spots and white encrustations.

Library Records Has Limited Information WI 14 A-1:
History:       Yes             Recorded Sales Price:      Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:   ~ New York ~

The Isabela Collection ~

Excavated on an Old Home Site in Rhode Island.~
 

GWI 14 -A COLONIAL STYLE BORDER WITH AN EAGLE AND STAR

Color: A Brown Earth Tone with Hints of Yellow Brass.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Stamped Design, Brass.
Size: 34mm.
Rarity: R-7
Variety Type: 14-A, 34mm.
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Good Planchet Condition, Fair Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This example is rough, but still shows remnant images of it's designs. The brass planchet has metal fatigue, and is corroded, bent and wavy. The button has a coarse, porous, pitted, and bent surface. The Federal Eagle still shows an image, but all the inner detail of the head, body, and feathers is lost to corrosion and decay. There only shows a thin outline of the Liberty Shield, but again no inner detail. The Laurel Stem and Bundle of Arrows is decayed and worn flat into the design, and makes it an unidentifiable design. The Estoile has a semi viewable image, but is mostly undefined skewed lines. The small stamped Sun's Circle still shows an impression ring, but the Flairs Waves and emanating lines barely show an outlined image. The outer Stippled Ring has a vague image in some spots, but is is mostly worn flat. The Crescent Moon Border design is mis-shaped or pressed flat into the surface. The Triangle Notches are also mostly flattened in form. Corrosion and decay has taken a firm hold on this button to be an asset in a serious GW collection. This really only makes a good treasure hunter's find, as well as a nice memento.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece button with a soldered on loop shank. The shank reportedly is original, and still present. The reverse shows a porous surface with corrosion.

Library Records Has Limited Information WI 14 A-2:
History:      Yes             Recorded Sales Price:     Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:       ~ New York ~

The Isabela Collection.~

*This button was excavated in Curituck County, North Carolina May 18, 2008.~