Crafting Potential: Can This 1959 George Washington Steel Restrike Be Made Into Jewelry?

Understanding This Unique Washington Restrike

As a coin ring artisan, I’m often asked about unusual pieces like this 1959 George Washington steel restrike impression. Not every coin is suitable for crafting, so let’s examine the metal composition and crafting potential of this fascinating piece.

Metal Composition and Hardness Analysis

The first thing to note is that this piece is confirmed to be steel, as it’s magnetic. This is crucial information for jewelry crafting. Steel has a Mohs hardness of approximately 4-4.5, which is significantly harder than silver (2.5-3) or copper (2.5-3).

For coin ring makers, this means several things:

• Tool Wear: Steel will dull tools much faster than softer metals
• Bending Difficulty: The metal requires more force to shape and fold
• Finishing Time: Steel takes longer to polish and achieve a smooth finish

The Grainy Texture Consideration

Several forum members noted the unusual grainy texture on Washington’s bust. This texture presents both a challenge and an opportunity for jewelry crafting:

Challenges:

• The granular surface would be difficult to polish smoothly
• Detail preservation during bending could be problematic
• The texture might not appeal to all jewelry buyers

Opportunities:

• The unique texture could create an interesting rustic aesthetic
• It would certainly make the piece one-of-a-kind
• The industrial look might appeal to certain customers

Design Details and Aesthetic Appeal

The negative impression in a steel bar format is quite unusual. For jewelry making, this presents several considerations:

Visual Impact:

The deep relief and negative impression would create dramatic shadows and highlights when worn as a ring or pendant.

Size Considerations:

• The substantial steel bar would create a bold, masculine piece
• Weight would be significant compared to typical coin rings
• The thickness might limit certain design options

Historical Context and Value

Understanding the historical context helps determine crafting potential. This piece relates to the 1959 Collis restrikes of the Washington Born Virginia medal. The original medals were struck in silver (limited mintage of 27 pieces according to contemporary sources) and copper.

The steel test impression or hub piece you have is historically significant but presents crafting challenges:

Silver Content: Unlike the original silver medals, this steel piece contains no precious metal, which affects both value and appeal to certain collectors.

Historical Value vs. Crafting Value: While this piece has historical significance as a potential test impression or hub, its unique characteristics make it less than ideal for conventional jewelry making.

Crafting Recommendations

As an artisan, I would advise against attempting to craft this particular piece into jewelry for several reasons:

1. Material Hardness: The steel composition makes it extremely difficult to work with using standard coin ring tools
2. Surface Texture: The grainy finish would be challenging to refine and might not appeal to most jewelry buyers
3. Historical Significance: As a potential test piece or hub, this item might be better preserved for collectors
4. Weight Considerations: The substantial steel bar would create an unusually heavy piece of jewelry

Alternative Display Options

Rather than crafting this piece, consider these display alternatives that would preserve its integrity while still allowing it to be appreciated:

• Display Stand: A custom stand highlighting the negative impression
• Shadow Box: Museum-quality presentation with historical information
• Desk Paperweight: Functional display that showcases both sides

Conclusion

While this 1959 George Washington steel restrike impression is a fascinating piece of numismatic history, its material composition and unique characteristics make it unsuitable for traditional coin ring crafting. The steel hardness, grainy texture, and historical significance all argue against attempting to transform it into jewelry.

For collectors and crafters, this piece represents an interesting intersection of minting history and material science. Its value lies more in its historical context and rarity than in its potential as a crafting material. If you own such a piece, I’d recommend preserving it in its current state and perhaps creating a custom display that highlights its unique characteristics and historical significance.

Have you encountered similar test pieces or restrike impressions? I’d love to hear about your experiences working with unusual materials in the comments below!

Related Resources

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