GWI 7-A, B, C, D "GW" MONOGRAM WITH A HEXAGONAL PUNCH MARK BORDER: This was manufactured in either Stamped Brass or Copper, and has Raised Lettering for the Slogan. This is a flat one-piece button with a soldered on loop shank. The Size for A, B, & D is 32mm. The Size for C is 33mm. The Rarity Rating for all four varieties is R-7. The border Hexagonal / Pyramidal Punch-Mark for A is 31 Indentees, B & C is 32 Indentees, and D is 33 Indentees. The Circle of Ray's for A, B, & D are close spaced, and C has a wider space between the rays. This is one of the most flamboyant designed George Washington Inaugural Button that was ever manufactured. The button incorporates various other GW designs, and adds it's own unique hexagonal / pyramidal punch-marks around the periphery. The button has a fancy Script George Washington "GW" Monogram stamped in the center; and there is a Colonial Swirl off the "W" which encompasses both letters. Encircling the monogram is a banner well channel that houses the popular Slogan used at Washington's inauguration, "Long Live The President." This is depicted in all raised Roman Font Capital Letters. There is also a raised Separation Cross between the beginning and ending of the slogan. This is accentuated by a circular wheel of short Rays that are either narrow or wide spaced. There is a short plain field which is then followed by a Stippled Ring. Around the edge is the buttons own unique Hexagonal/Pyramidal Punch-Marks. These Punch-Marks are crimped in-between with a Pyramidal Shaped Notch from the edge. Together they give the outside of the button a dimensional look, while maintaining the separateness of the two designs. This also gives the side-edge a raised and lowered effect for depth all the way around.

GWI 7-C "GW" MONOGRAM WITH A HEXAGONAL PUNCH MARK BORDER

Color: A Reddish Brown with Some Yellow Flair.
Metal: Stamped Copper with Raised Motto Lettering.
Size: 31.6mm. 74.0 Grains.
Rarity: R-7
Variety Type: Wide Space Rays, 32 Punch Mark Indentees.
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Example, Exceptional Planchet Casting, Exceptional Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This is a great button which has all of it's original manufacture's designs intact. The copper planchet is flat and solid, and shows no metal fatigue or deterioration. The button's color has an even reddish coppery brown shade that is consistent throughout the obverse. The surface is smooth, and is free of any scratches or abrasion to the design. The fancy script "GW" Monogram has a deep impression with good letter lines. The lower portion of the "G" does show some flatness, but the letter is still easily recognized. The Colonial Swirl off the "W" has a nice fluid flow, and shows no breaks in the swirl. Along with the lower portion of the "G", the swirl has a slight flat-wear spot. The Roman Font Capital letters in the motto are all nicely elevated with strong straight letter lines, and they are easy to read. The Separation Cross for the beginning and ending of the Slogan is nicely raised, and stands out clearly. The Wide Space Rays are all evenly spaced, and have good deep impressions. The narrow circular Open Field is free of any scratches or abrasions, and has a nice smooth flat surface. The outer Stippled Ring is definable, but only has a foot print impression. The 32 Hexagonal / Pyramidal Border Punch-Marks are all deeply stamped, and have clear shape outlines. This is an outstanding button that has been preserved nicely over the years. This is a real jewel in anyone's GW collection.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece button with a soldered on loop shank. The shank is original, straight and intact. The surface shows some porous areas, and has an impression ring from the obverse's punch mark border stamp.

Library Records Has Limited Information WI 7 C-1:
History: Yes                Recorded Sales Price:        Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:                    No

Stacks re-sold again in January 2012~
Harold Cobb/Descendants 1951 to 2003.~
Purchased from the Hubbards in 1951.~

GWI 7-? "GW" MONOGRAM WITH A HEXAGONAL PUNCH MARK BORDER

Color: A Silvery Grey
Metal: Stamped Copper with Raised Motto Lettering.
Size: 31mm.
Rarity: R-7 (An unknown sub-variety)
Variety Type: 36 Hexagonal Punch Marks on Border.
Present Condition: An Excavated Example, Poor Planchet, Poor Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This was a difficult button to evaluate because of the unclear designs. The button was auctioned as either GWI 6 or GWI 7. Even though it shares GWI 6-A's number of 36 punch marks on the border, i felt that they were more Hexagonal in shape as GWI 7s, and also saw no signs of any raised cross within the indents. Without hands-on examination, i would not be able to tell if this button ever had rays. But for symmetrical purposes, the rays would be wide space to be proportional to the punch marks. The copper planchet is slightly bent from the middle to the 1 o'clock position. There button shows metal fatigue, decay and deterioration. The surface is coarse with porous areas throughout. The Script "GW" Monogram is worn flat into the surface, and only shows remnants of it's past image. The stamped ring still shows good depth from a strong strike. The inner Banner Well is completely corroded, and shows no traces of any kind of impression. The Roman Font Capital Block Letters are also decayed into the surface without any clear letter images. The Rays are completely absent from the surface. The stippled Border outside the field still shows an image, but is flat and smooth in most spots. The unique 36 hexagonal punch marks still show an outline, but are pretty much decayed. On a positive note, its a surviving example of the ultra rare GWI 7, so it should find a home with a collector.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece button with a soldered on loop shank. The shank is reported to be original, and intact, but bent over. No other information is known.

Library Records Has Limited Information WI 7 ?-1:
History: Yes                Recorded Sales Price:       Yes
Current Button Owner and Location:                   No

GWI 7-B "GW" MONOGRAM WITH A HEXAGONAL PUNCH MARK BORDER: AKA "THE GRANT"

Color: A Beautiful Natural Light Coppery Brown Color, with a Splash of Orange for Darkness.
Metal: Impressed Brass with Raised Motto Lettering.
Size: 32mm.
Rarity: R-7
Variety Type: Close Space Sun Ray, 32 Indentees.
Present Condition: A Non Excavated Example, Excellent Planchet Casting, Strong Impressions.
Obverse Button Analysis: This is in Mint Condition, and was graded extremely fine to about uncirculated. The surface is consistent to the original manufacture's design casting. The planchet is solid and flat, and shows no waviness or bends. The surface is flat and smooth, with no scratches or abrasions affecting the designs. The impressed "GW" Monogram's letters are clear and readable, with good character impressions throughout most areas of the letters. The "G" does exhibit a weak impression for the lower curl, and tail loop area, but this is probably due to the original stamping process with the die. The Colonial Swirl off the "W" is fluid, but does have a break in the swirl by the lower half of the "G". This also could be due to a weak strike impression. The Roman Font Capital letters that encircle the Monogram is nicely elevated, and shows no smooth wear to the letters. The separation Cross for the beginning and ending of the Slogan is strong, and has nice elevation with good angled lines. The incuse lines for the Sun's Rays are sharp, and nicely distinct of one another with no wear or bleeding into each other. The narrow encircling open field is nice and clean, and has no foreign blemishes to speak of. The outer Stamped Ring is nicely impacted, and shows good inner line definition. The thirty-one Hexagonal / Pyramidal Border Punch-Marks have a deep stamp, and have excellent shape and curvature. This is a wonderfully designed button, which is truly a jewel in anyone's GW Collection.
Reverse Button Analysis: This is a flat one-piece button with a soldered on loop shank. The shank is original, straight and intact with no blemishes to the surface.

Library Records Has Limited Information WI 7 B-1:
History: Yes                Recorded Sales Price: Yes
Current Button Owner and Location: No

Harold Cobb/Descendants 1959 to 2003.~
Purchased from C.A. Means (Bronson) in 1959.~

This was found in Waterbury, Connecticut in 1959 in an old metal salve box. The button had a faded thin White ribbon of Masonic significance attached to the shank.
Research concluded that this button was possibly from a Wedding Coat in 1796.~

In other instances, GW Buttons have been identified with Wedding Coats of this period 1789 to 1800.~