Next up in the Phantom series, is a rumored coin proposal that was designed to help raise funds to celebrate George Washington and beautify the Brooklyn-side approach to its iconic bridge.
The Brooklyn Bridge, a New York City hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge, is one of the most iconic and loved designs of any bridge in the United States. It was designed by Prussian-born engineer John A. Roebling (assisted by his son) and was built between 1869 and 1883 (roughly 14 years!). The bridge crosses the East River and connects the New York City Boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan; it has a total length of just over 6,000 feet with its longest span measuring 1,595 feet.
Note: John Roebling suffered a fatal accident at the outset of construction of the bridge, and his son - Washington A. Roebling - became the project's chief engineer and saw it through to completion.Though the bridge displays true artistry in its design, the appearance of its approaches was not a primary concern to either Roebling. As a result, they were mostly ignored during construction and the Brooklyn-side approach to the bridge eventually descended into abject ugliness with unsightly tenement buildings and storage yards proliferating and creating a site that was in stark contrast to the bridge's majesty.
Concerned citizens and local officials/leaders combined forces and created the Brooklyn Bridge Plaza Association. The Association's goal was to create a plaza on the Brooklyn side of the bridge, dedicated to George Washington and the Battle of Brooklyn/Long Island, that would complement the beautiful bridge with an equally attractive entrance plaza.
The Battle of Brooklyn/Long Island involved ~20,000 British troops vs. ~10,000 American troops under the command of George Washington. General Washington was looking to defend New York City from British invasion and potential occupation. Unfortunately for the out-manned Americans, the Battle that ensued in August 1776 was a clear British victory with Washington forced to evacuate his surrounded troops (~9,000) across the East River under the cover of darkness. The British victory enabled them to hold the vital port city throughout the American Revolution.
The Association announced that it would be sponsoring a coin bill to be introduced in Congress in early 1929. The coin was to help fulfill the mission objectives of the Association. Commemorating a decisive defeat might seem a bit unusual, but with the 200th anniversary of Washington's birth just ahead in 1932, celebrating his life with various memorials was growing common place.
No bill was ever introduced, however, but the Association did pursue a privately-struck commemorative medal and had it "in process" prior to the potential coin proposal. The bronze medal was designed by John Lavelle and struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York.
1928 Brooklyn Bridge Plaza Association Medal
(Image Credit: Yale University Art Gallery. Fair use, education.)The medal's obverse depicts the planned towered portal - described as a neo-gothic structure - with the circa-1928 Manhattan skyline in the background. The central tower of the portal is flanked by the inscriptions "MEMORIAL PORTAL TO" and "BROOKLYN BRIDGE" with "1928" seen below the portal (to the right). The inscription "ISSUED BY BROOKLYN BRIDGE PLAZA ASSOCIATION" is below the portal building with "IN COMMEMORATION OF THE SPIRIT OF 1776 AND THE AMERICAN PATRIOTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND." encircling the central design elements near the rim.
The reverse is text-intensive. At the Noon clock position is a small, left-facing, bust portrait of Washington in a circular frame; the frame is flanked by clusters of leaves. Directly below the portrait is the multi-line inscription: "THE ENEMY HAVE NOW LANDED ON LONG ISLAND, / AND THE HOUR IS FAST APPROACHING ON WHICH / THE HONOR AND SUCCESS OF THIS ARMY, AND THE / SAFETY OF OUR BLEEDING COUNTRY, DEPEND."
Below that is another multi-line inscription: "'REMEMBER, OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS, THAT YOU / ARE FREE MEN, FIGHTING FOR THE BLESSINGS / OF LIBERTY; THAT SLAVERY WILL BE YOUR POR- / TION AND THAT OF YOUR POSTERITY, IF YOU / DO NOT ACQUIT YOURSELVES LIKE MEN.'" (From Washington's message to his troops.)
In exergue, at the bottom, is the inscription: "AROSE THE SPIRIT OF / 1776 / CREATING A NATION."
Encircling at the rim is "MESSAGE FROM GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON READ TO THE AMERICAN TROOPS AT THE BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND AUGUST 27. 1776" with a five-poointed star serving as a start/finish separator.
The elaborate portal was never built, but parks now make the area near the Brooklyn Bridge much more attractive and enjoyable.
For other of my topics on commemorative coins and medals, including more What If? and What If? Phantome stories, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 04/28/2023 2:07 pm
Uncirculated American Silver Eagles 
