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George Washington Oval Peace Medals
George Washington faced the challenge of adapting monarchical practices to republican ideals. Because no American mint possessed the technology to produce large dies, these medals were hand-engraved on thin plates of rolled silver, making each unique.
The first Washington peace medal (4) features and allegorical design of the Roman goddess Minerva, symbolizing America, presenting a peace pipe to an Indian chief. In a later version (5), the figure of Washington replaced Minerva. An ox team, plow, frame house, and discarded tomahawk advertise settled agriculture. |