1800 Silver Medal GW-81 - Hero of Freedom

Coin Details

Description

Cataloged as Baker 85 and Musante GW-81, this rare silver mourning medal was struck in 1800 shortly after George Washington's death on December 14, 1799, at his Mount Vernon estate. The "Hero of Freedom" epithet inscribed on the medal reflects the wave of national grief and veneration that swept the young republic following the loss of its founding father, commanding general, and first president. Silver strikings of this mourning medal were reserved for distinguished recipients — officials, military leaders, and prominent citizens — while bronze versions served broader distribution. The medal belongs to a substantial body of medallic tributes produced in the immediate aftermath of Washington's death, when engravers and die sinkers across the United States and Europe rushed to create commemorative pieces honoring his memory. Washington's death prompted an unprecedented outpouring of memorial material culture, from medals and tokens to mourning jewelry and commemorative prints, and the "Hero of Freedom" medal captures the specific ideological framing of Washington as a liberator figure comparable to classical heroes. Rare in silver composition, this medal is very scarce among surviving examples, as the premium metal was reserved for limited production runs intended for presentation rather than commercial sale to the general public.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Silver mourning medals from 1800 are very scarce.

Cross References

Baker 85; Musante GW-81