Washington Two Headed

undated---The Washington Double Head Cent Token---my newest purchase---This is one of four interrelated Washington tokens of which three bear the date 1783 and two have the designation of "ONE CENT". This token, the Double Head Washington Cent, has no date but the bust bears a close resemblance to the one used on the Washington Military Bust token. In fact, the main difference between the bust on the Double Head token and the larger bust variety of the Military Bust token is that on the Military Bust token Washington has a button on his collar whereas on the Double Head token Washington wears a similar military uniform but with a plain collar. The Military Bust token was designed by Thomas Wells Ingram and was struck at Bolton's Soho Mint in Birmingham, England between 1820 and 1848, with the 30's or 40's appearing more likely as the token was still in circulation at mid century. Also, the bust is closely based on that of Lord Wellington, as is discussed in the introduction to the Military Bust Token. For a more complete discussion on the dating and location of the interrelated Washington tokens see theintroduction to the Washington Draped Bust tokens.

Little is known about the Double Head token. It is usually considered to be an imitation of the military bust by an unidentified Birmingham mint. The Garret sales catalog (vol. 4, p. 18) states that "no example has been observed in strictly Uncirculated grade with original mint color." Clearly the present example has seen circulation. Both sides show a laurel wreathed Washington facing left in a military uniform with an elongated eight pointed star below. The obverse legend reads "WASHINGTON" while the reverse states "ONE CENT".