The Silver & Gold Content of Question about George Washington Early 1900s Medal Explained

Historical Significance

What happens when the metal inside outshines the face value? Let’s explore the fascinating duality of this early 1900s George Washington medal – where precious metal content meets historical artistry. This piece captivates both collectors seeking provenance and investors eyeing bullion, embodying a beautiful tension between numismatic value and intrinsic worth.

Identifying Key Markers

Our uniface medal features Washington’s iconic left-facing bust, tentatively dated 1917. Authenticating it requires examining several critical details:

• Date Context: Minted during World War I’s peak, this era suggests possible commemorative or fraternal purpose—perhaps honoring service or membership.
• Material Clues: Though initially resembling silver, surface texture hints at casting rather than a mint strike, affecting both authenticity and value.
• Personal Touch: The engraved “Harry Eisman” reverse adds compelling provenance, transforming it from generic artifact to historical document.
• Symbolic Motifs: Those interlocking rings? Classic Odd Fellows iconography, potentially marking this as a member’s pocket piece.

Decoding Metal Content

For bullion enthusiasts, purity and weight dictate melt value—though specifics remain tantalizingly uncertain. Here’s what we can deduce:

Expert Insight: Authentic silver examples trade primarily on troy weight multiplied by purity percentage against current spot prices.

Period-typical silver grades include:

• 90% (coin silver)
• 92.5% (sterling)
• Near-pure 99.9% (fine silver)

Assuming a median 20-gram weight (common for early 1900s medals), sterling composition would yield:

18.5g pure silver ÷ 31.1g/troy oz × $27.50 ≈ $16.35 melt value

This metal floor anchors the piece’s worth, regardless of collectibility.

Spot Price Dynamics

Silver’s market swings directly impact this medal’s bullion value. At current $25-$30/troy oz ranges, even modest pieces carry measurable intrinsic worth. Remember: that shimmering luster isn’t just eye appeal—it’s liquid asset potential.

Collector-Bullion Hybrid Strategy

For savvy stackers, such historical pieces offer unique advantages:

1. Value Layering: Numismatic premium cushions against spot volatility
2. Historical Weight: WWI-era Americana commands scarcity premiums
3. Provenance Power: Personalization elevates it beyond generic bullion
4. Portfolio Texture: Blends bullion’s stability with collectibles’ growth potential

Authenticating Your Find

Forum insights revealed crucial authentication angles:

• Design parallels to Dieges & Clust’s 1915 issues
• Casting textures versus mint strike characteristics
• Engraving techniques signaling period-appropriate craftsmanship
• Patina development suggesting natural aging

Market Position

While condition and rarity dictate individual value, comparable Washingtoniana typically trades within these brackets:

• Melt Floor: $15-$25 (silver weight only)
• Collector Range: $50-$150 (good condition)
• Premium Tier: $200-$500+ (rare variety, mint condition)

Long-Term Outlook

Four converging factors buoy this medal’s investment potential:

1. Growing demand for personalized historical artifacts
2. Finite surviving WWI-era specimens
3. Silver’s dual industrial/precious metal status
4. Numismatic market maturation

Preservation Protocols

Protect both metal content and collectibility with proper care:

• Acid-free holders to prevent environmental damage
• Climate-controlled storage avoiding humidity extremes
• Edge-only handling to preserve surfaces
• Detailed provenance documentation

Final Assessment

This 1917 Washington medal epitomizes the collector’s dream: tangible history with inherent bullion value. While silver content provides security, its true worth lies in the story—the patriotic era it represents, the hands it passed through, the craftsmanship it displays. For investors, it’s a hedge against volatility; for historians, a conversation with the past. Whichever draws you, remember: value here is measured not just in grams, but in generations.

Let this piece remind us why we collect: the thrill of discovery, the satisfaction of preservation, and the joy of connecting with history through objects that bridge centuries. Your due diligence today—verifying authenticity, documenting details—becomes tomorrow’s numismatic legacy.

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