1805 C.C.A.U.S. Medal Tribute – George Washington 2 oz Silver

A military portrait of George Washington and an eagle hovering over the young United States bring the early republic into focus. This modern tribute recalls the 1805 C.C.A.U.S. medal in 2 troy ounces of .999 fine silver, combining an uncluttered portrait with a reverse rich in national symbolism. The initials stand for “Commander in Chief, Armies of the United States.”

History Recorded in a Medal

Joseph Sansom envisioned a series of medals celebrating the American Revolution. His Washington medal was an early expression of that project, using portraiture and allegory to preserve the memory of the nation’s founding generation in a small, durable object.

A letter dated December 28, 1805 records Sansom’s presentation of a proof impression of a Washington medal to President Thomas Jefferson. That surviving correspondence gives the design a direct connection to the people whose era it commemorates. Historical advertisements offered silver examples for five dollars, illustrating how these medals were also objects intended for private ownership and collection.

The reverse’s date, 1783, looks back to the conclusion of the Revolutionary War rather than the medal’s year of creation. The pairing of olive branch and lightning places peace alongside power, with the eagle poised above the country it represents. This silver tribute carries that composition forward while adding its modern weight and purity hallmark.

Obverse Design

Washington appears in a left-facing military bust, with tied hair, a high collar, and a detailed epaulette. “G. WASHINGTON” follows the left side of the field and “C.C.A.U.S.” the right. A plain circular border leaves the portrait as the clear focal point.

Reverse Design

An eagle with wings extended holds an olive branch in its beak and lightning bolts in its talons. Below lies a curved globe marked “UNITED STATES,” while 1783 appears above. The small hallmark along the bottom identifies the tribute’s 2 troy ounces of .999 fine silver.

Specifications

• Weight: 2 troy ounces
• Purity: .999 fine silver
• Diameter: 39mm
• Thickness: Approximately 6mm
• Edge: Reeded
• Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated

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