An Appeal to Heaven – 2 oz .999 Fine Silver Round

George Washington, a fleet of sailing vessels and the pine tree flag bring the opening naval chapter of the American Revolution into focus. This Intaglio Mint round combines a commanding portrait with maritime symbolism in two troy ounces of .999 fine silver. The 39mm design looks back to the improvised cruisers that supported Washington’s army during the siege of Boston.

Washington’s Early Naval Effort

In September 1775, Washington ordered Nicholson Broughton to command the schooner Hannah, armed for service by John Glover of Marblehead, Massachusetts. Such vessels could intercept British supply ships and obtain provisions and military stores for the American cause. This small force grew from the immediate needs of the army, alongside the broader development of American naval organization.

A shared flag helped friendly vessels recognize one another. On 20 October 1775, Washington’s secretary Joseph Reed wrote to John Glover and Stephen Moylan suggesting a white flag with a tree and the motto “Appeal to Heaven.” Reed also identified it as the flag of the floating batteries. The Naval History and Heritage Command records a Massachusetts resolution of 26 July 1776 specifying a white flag, green pine tree and the same inscription for the state navy.

The round brings these early maritime associations together through Washington’s portrait, the compass behind him and the ships in the foreground. Its imagery reflects the beginnings of organized resistance at sea, before a single standardized national naval flag had emerged.

Obverse Design

Washington appears in a three-quarter portrait against a compass-like field. Six sailing vessels cross the water in front of him, connecting the commander to the small fleet recalled by the design. The contrast between the large portrait and finely detailed ships gives the scene a layered composition.

Reverse Design

A bald eagle spreads its wings while grasping arrows and a staff carrying the pine tree flag. “AN APPEAL TO HEAVEN” appears on the flag, and thirteen stars encircle the central image. The eagle, ships and flag create a coordinated tribute to Revolutionary-era naval history.

Specifications

• Weight: 2.00 troy ounces
• Thickness: Approximately 6mm
• Purity: .999 fine silver
• Edge: Reeded
• Diameter: 39mm
• Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated

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