GWI 18-A & B LONG LIVE THE PRESIDENT WITH A FIFTEEN STAR PATTERN: This button was manufactured in either Stamped Brass or Copper. The Size for 18-A is 20mm., and the Size for 18-B is 15mm. Both A & B have an R-5 Rating. This is a One-Piece Button with a Loop Shank. This George Washington tribute button has a simple, but elegant design. It shows the strong symbolic union of the fifteen states who united under Washington their President. The button has a nice Plain Field in the Center, which is encircled by a Ring of Fifteen Six Pointed Stars. Encompassing the stars is a thin Stipple Border Ring. This acts as a design separator for the inner Fifteen Star Pattern, and the outer Slogan around the border. Circling around the outside edge of the button is the popular inaugural slogan, "Long Live The President" . This is stamped in Roman Font Capital Block Letters. To denote the beginning and ending of the slogan, there is a Separation Dot for ear mark. These small size buttons would have been used on a nice pair of dress Breeches (short trousers fastened just below the knee), or a Vest or Cuff Buttons.

There are two known GWI 18-A specimens not listed. National Button Bulletin for November 1947 had an article, "Unlisted Inaugural Button found in California".

From my personal research, I believe this button was made towards the end of Washington's 1st term in 1792. Kentucky was the 15th State to join the union as a Commonwealth on June 1, 1792. So this was a few months before the close of his first term. So this particular 15 Star design would have most likely been produced for his second inauguration.

A reason for this particular pattern: Kentucky was also originally part of Washington's home state of Virginia. 2) Shows unity of all 15 States under Washington's Administration.~
Note: Tennessee was the 16th State added during Washington's 2nd administration, June 1, 1796.

Fact or Fiction: Washington was a Federalist? Fiction~ He never officially joined the Federalist Party even though he supported many of their programs. He attempted to bring rival factions together to unify the nation. He fully supported Alexander Hamilton's federalist programs to pay off all the state and national debts, implement an effective tax system, and to create a national bank. Despite the hard opposition from Thomas Jefferson and his Jeffersonians.~

GWI 18-A LONG LIVE THE PRESIDENT WITH A FIFTEEN STAR PATTERN

Color: A Dark Brown Stone.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design, Brass.
Size: 20mm.
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: The Larger Fifteen Star Pattern.
Present Condition: An Excavated Example, Good Planchet, Good Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: For an excavated button, it still has a lot of charm and charisma. The brass planchet is solid and flat, but it's surface shows corrosion and decay. There is a granular texture evenly across the surface, and it shows micro porosity throughout both sides. The circling Fifteen Star Pattern is unfortunately worn smooth into the surface, and only shows a few vague images of the remaining stars. There is a slight remnant of the Stippled Border Ring in a few spots, but you would need a magnifying glass to really see it clearly. The Roman Font Capital Block Letters for the Slogan still have an easy readable impression, but for the most part there all decayed, or worn flat into the surface. The Separation Dot for the motto is barely visible, and has corrosion covering over. Well leaving on a positive note, the color is evenly shaded throughout....
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight and intact. The surface is granular, corroded and porous.

Library Records Has Limited Information GWI 18 A-1:
History: Yes               Recorded Sales Price:            Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:       ~ New York ~

The Isabela Collection.~

GWI 18-A LONG LIVE THE PRESIDENT WITH A FIFTEEN STAR PATTERN

Color: A Charcoal Brown with Green Encrustations.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design, Brass.
Size: 15mm.
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: The Smaller 15 Star Pattern.
Present Condition: An Excavated Example, Fair Planchet, Good Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: Cheers to my English friend who was fortunate enough to dig this up, and steal it off American soil. I have to say, this rare beauty still has a lot of charm and appeal. The brass planchet is solid, but shows metal fatigue, corrosion, and decay. The surface has numerous old scratches in the middle of the field, but has somehow re-toned over, and blend in nicely. There is also some metal loss and chipping around the edge. The Fifteen Star Pattern has a nice deep impression, and shows a clear outline of all the Stars. The Stippled Ring still has a deep impression, and demonstrates a lot of the individual stipples upon close examination. The Roman Font Capital Block Letters have a nice deep readable impression, and still demonstrate it's stippled base within. The letter lines do show decay, but they are still easy to identify. The Separation dot for the beginning and ending of the motto no longer shows. There is also an edge chip in the legend at the 3:00 o'clock position. Overall, this is still a good example among it's peers.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight and intact. The surface is corroded, pitted, porous, and shows metal loss with edge chips.

Library Records Has Limited Information GWI 18 B-1:
History: Yes               Recorded Sales Price:             Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:      ~ England ~

Excavated outside of Charlotte in June 2005.~
The James Barnard Collection~

GWI 18-A LONG LIVE THE PRESIDENT WITH A FIFTEEN STAR PATTERN

Color: A Shoe Polish Brown.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design, Brass.
Size: 20mm.
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: The Larger Fifteen Star Pattern.
Present Condition: An Excavated Example, Fair Planchet, Good Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: For an excavated button, it still retains a lot of good impression images. To start, the brass planchet shows metal fatigue, corrosion, and poor collaring around the edges. The planchet is also thin, wavy, and shows multiple shallow depressions across the surface. The surface also demonstrates micro porosity and pitting throughout, but still feels smooth to the touch. On a good note, most of the Fifteen Star Pattern still shows a good viewable outline impression. The Stippled Ring around the the stars is still recognizable, but is worn flat in some spots. Unfortunately, the slogan's Separation Dot no longer retains a viewable image. The edges show metal loss along with two deep indents by the word "PRESIDENT". For an excavated button that was buried for more then 200 years, it still has some nice qualities to share.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is missing, and the surface is corroded, and pitted with a porous nature.

Library Records Has Limited Information GWI 18 A-2:
History: Yes               Recorded Sales Price:            Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:        ~ New York ~

Excavated in a well known Troop Encampment in Pecksville, New York in the 1980's.
The Isabela Collection.~

GWI 18-A LONG LIVE THE PRESIDENT WITH A FIFTEEN STAR PATTERN

Color: A Coppery Brown with Mustard Highlights.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design, Brass.
Size: 14.8mm. 26.5 Grains
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: The Smaller 15 Star Pattern.
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Example, Exceptional Planchet Casting, Exceptional Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: For the person that bought this button back in 2003, you should be comforted in the fact that you still own the most expensive, and best example known for GWI 18-B. The brass planchet is smooth and flat, and shows no metal fatigue or deterioration. The surface shows a nice even color shade with no scratches or abrasions. The Fifteen Six Pointed Stars have a nice deep impression, and show a clear star outline. The Stippled Ring shows a deep strike, and is easily seen without any flat spots. All the Roman Font Capital Block Letters have a nice deep impression, and have strong straight letter lines that are easy to read. The Separation Dot is clearly shown with a nice deep stamp.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is re-soldered, (most likely by A. Albert) and is now straight and intact.

Library Records Has Limited Information GWI 18 B-2:
History: Yes               Recorded Sales Price:              Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:                         No

Harold Cobb/Descendants 1958 to 2003
Purchased from Darby in 1958.~
This button was found in California, and it was first published in the National Button Bulletin in 1947. Cobb actually paid $750. for this specimen making it the highest price for any item in his collection.
Albert only knew of this one specimen, but fortunately through metal detector enthusiasts, several has turned up in the last 50 years.

GWI 18-A LONG LIVE THE PRESIDENT WITH A FIFTEEN STAR PATTERN

Color: A Silver Patina with Coal Undertones
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design, Copper.
Size: 19.5mm
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: The Larger Fifteen Star Pattern.
Present Condition: An Excavated Example, Strong Planchet, Good Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This button still retains a lot of nice impressions in it's soft copper metal. The planchet has a granular texture evenly throughout the surface, but is solid and flat. The button also demonstrates complete corrosion and micro porosity throughout. Only eight of the Fifteen Star Pattern shows any kind of impression image. The rest are completely decayed, or worn flat into the surface. The Stippled Ring that encompasses the Stars is almost completely absent, except for the smallest remnant by the beginning and ending of the motto. The Roman Font Capital Block Letters is the strongest retained design of this button. Most of the letters have a strong strike impression, and are still easily read. Only the "L" in LONG, and "E" &"S" in PRESIDENT show wear or deterioration. The Separation Dot unfortunately doesn't show an image anymore.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight and intact. The surface has a granular texture, and shows pitting and micro porosity.

Library Records Has Limited Information GWI 18 A-3:
History: Yes               Recorded Sales Price:              Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:                         No

GWI 18-A LONG LIVE THE PRESIDENT WITH A FIFTEEN STAR PATTERN

Color: A Greenish Patina with Silvery White Encrustations.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design, Brass.
Size: 15mm.
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: The Smaller 15 Star Pattern.
Present Condition: An Excavated Example, Good Casting, Fair Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This button is what you would expect from being buried in or near ground water. The brass planchet is solid, flat and even. There is no waviness or bends in the metal. The surface shows no harsh scratches or abrasions, and is smooth to the touch. The button does exhibit some micro porous areas, but it is mostly concentrated around the edges. The Fifteen Star Pattern still retains a good clear image for half of the stars. The other half is worn flat into the surface. The stamped Stippled Ring is also completely worn flat without any remnants of it's original image. The Roman Font Capital Block Letters only show vague impressions that are barely readable. As with the other buttons, the Separation Dot is completely worn flat or decayed into the surface.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original and intact. The surface is porous and abrasive, and shows micro porosity.

Library Records Has Limited Information GWI 18 B-3:
History: Yes               Recorded Sales Price:             Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:                        No

Excavated in Old Deerfield Massachusetts.~

GWI 18-A LONG LIVE THE PRESIDENT WITH A FIFTEEN STAR PATTERN

Color: A Golden Brown with Green Encrustations.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design, Gilt Brass.
Size: 19.5mm.
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: The Larger Fifteen Star Pattern.
Present Condition: An Excavated Example, Strong Planchet, Good Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: Surprisingly, this button still retains some of it's original gilt within the design. The planchet unfortunately is corroded, and has a granular texture throughout the surface. There is also a light unevenness to the planchet, and an indent on the edge. The Fifteen Star Pattern remains clear, and still retains most of it's gilt within the stars. The Stippled Ring that encompasses the Stars is almost completely absent, except for a small section under the president. Unfortunately, the Roman Font Capital Block Letters for the Slogan is covered by the green encrustation. The letter outlines are still visible, but they don't show a clear image, and are just hard to read without close examination. The Separation Dot is unfortunately worn away, and doesn't show any remnant image. Overall a nice find, and a welcome into a variety with limited examples.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight and intact. The surface is corroded with a granular texture, and has green encrustations covering.

Library Records Has Limited Information GWI 18 A-4:
History: Yes          Recorded Sales Price:                 Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:        ~ Virginia ~

Excavated around Williamsburg, Virginia in 2000.~
The R. Bahls Collection.

GWI 18-A LONG LIVE THE PRESIDENT WITH A FIFTEEN STAR PATTERN

Color: A Golden Brown with Olive Undertones.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design, Copper.
Size: 15.8mm
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: The Smaller Fifteen Star Pattern.
Present Condition: An Excavated Example, Strong Planchet, Good Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This button has an extraordinary colored patina with a nice clear design pattern. The planchet is solid and flat, and is in good condition for the most part. The surface does show multiple scratches, but they seemed to have blended in nicely with the button's color. There also seems to be a lot of porosity, especially around the edges. The Fifteen Star Pattern has a nice deep impression, and shows a good clear image of all the stars. The Stippled Ring that encompasses the star pattern still has a clear impression ring, and shows most of the stipples within. There are two small breaks within the circle at the 9:30 and 3:00 that show some flatness, but they are only small sections. Most of the Roman Font Capital Block Letters for the Slogan still have a nice impression. They show a clear image for the most part, and are easy to read. Overall, this is one of the better known examples to exist because of how much of the design pattern remains. I am happy that the Museum was able to obtain this specimen for all to see.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is reported to be original, straight and intact. The surface is most likely porous.

Library Records Has Limited Information GWI 18 B-4:
History: Yes          Recorded Sales Price:                 Yes
Current Button Owner and Location: ~ Virginia ~

George Washington's Home at Mt Vernon, Virginia.~
Mount Vernon Estate, Museum & Gardens.~

GWI 18-A LONG LIVE THE PRESIDENT WITH A FIFTEEN STAR PATTERN

Color: A Greenish Yellow.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design, Brass.
Size: 20mm.
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: The Larger Fifteen Star Pattern.
Present Condition: An Excavated Example, Strong Planchet, Good Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: Another good find to supplement the numbers of this rare variety. The planchet is solid and flat, and shows no signs of metal loss, but heavy corrosion. The button's field is coarse, and has a granular texture to the surface. The Fifteen Star Pattern still has a viewable outline, but the inner detail is either filled in or has decayed. The Stippled Ring that encompasses the stars pattern is barely noticeable, but does show an impression in some spots. The Roman Font Capital Block Letters for the in the legend are readable, but the letters show decay, or they are filled in with earthy/metal encrustations. The Separation Dot is unfortunately absent. The button still holds some good merit, and is a welcome addition into GWI 18-A.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is original, straight, and intact.

Library Records Has Limited Information GWI 18 A-5:
History: Yes          Recorded Sales Price: Dug by owner
Current Button Owner and Location:     ~ Mississippi ~

Found by a young 17yr. Girl named Cassidy in her backyard in Iuka Mississippi in May 2012. Claims sandy soil with the Shank sticking up out of the ground .~
The Cassidy Collection.~
 

GWI 18-A LONG LIVE THE PRESIDENT WITH A FIFTEEN STAR PATTERN

Color: A Golden Brown with Green Encrustations.
Metal: Stamped Brass.
Size: 20mm.
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: The Larger Fifteen Star Pattern.
Present Condition: An Excavated Example, Strong Planchet, Good Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: A nice dug example with strong lettering. The planchet is solid and flat, but unfortunately shows signs of corrosion and small pitting. The center field of the button obverse is a bit coarse from being porous, which gives it that rough tough texture feel. On a likable note, the Fifteen Star Pattern still retains a clear outline image, and all of the six pointed fifteen stars have a nice impression. The Stippled Ring that encompasses the stars pattern is still nicely stamped with a good impression image. The Roman Font Capital Block Letters for the Slogan are all easily readable with good strong impressions. There is dirt within covering the inner detail texture lines on some letters, but still clear enough to be the strong focal point of the button. The Separation Dot is barely viewable, and appears to be filled in with dirt or just decayed from ground action. Overall this is a very nice find, and a welcome addition into a variety with very limited examples.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a one-piece button with a loop shank. The shank is unfortunately broken off. The surface is rough and porous, and has green encrustations covering.

Library Records Has Limited Information GWI 18 A-6:
History: Yes          Recorded Sales Price: Dug by owner
Current Button Owner and Location: ~ North Carolina ~

Excavated by Jimmy Hardison in Chowan County, North Carolina in 1999.~
J. Hardison Collection.

If you were a member of the Senate or State Representative, and you Admired George Washington and supported his Administration, you would have worn this Cuff button in 1792.

1792 Washington Tribute Reverse Political Cuff Button

Color: A Marble Green With Black.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design, Silvered Copper.
Size: 20mm.
Rarity: R-5
Variety Type: Washington 15 Star Political Allegiance.
Present Condition: An Excavated Example, Strong Casting, Strong Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: The brass planchet is smooth as glass, and flat. The surface has a green marble color shade that is even throughout the surface.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is what I call a Reverse Political Cuff Button. (Just wondering how many Jeffersonian supporters actually wore this...lol) This is just an amazing example, I have only seen 4 other examples of this button in my lifetime, and all but this one is missing their shanks. Like GWI 18-A, this is also 20mm. in size, and shares the same Fifteen Star Pattern. The button celebrates George Washington as President. The button's pattern depicts a Federal Eagle with a Federal Shield blazoned across it's chest. The Eagle is clutching Three Arrows in it's left talon, and an Olive Branch in it's right talon. The Eagle's Wings are splaying outwards, and it's head is turned toward the Olive Branch to signify peace. Above the Eagles Head and the Shank, is Washington's Name spelled out in Roman Style Capital Letters in a half arc. Above this, is Fifteen Six Pointed Stars also in an arc. As with other buttons of this era, this is a one piece button with a loop shank. I am only demonstrating this button to show where, or how common the idea was for GWI 18-A & B in 1792. If you notice, this button shares a lot of traits and designs that other previous Washington tribute buttons had in 1789.

Excavated in a field next to a Grist Mill in North Carolina January 2012.~
The Isabela Collection.~