Washington Medals, Monument Association

Quote:
RECENT WASHINGTON MEDALS.

Collectors of Washington Medals will be interested in a new series of these pieces which have lately been issued by authority of an Act of Congress, to aid in constructing a monument to Washington as a citizen of Alexandria, the Virginian town in which he resided, which it is proposed shall be erected by the Monument Association of that place. These medals are four in number, and commemorate Washington's connection with local interests, having for their motif his occupations as a citizen at different periods of his life. As is well known, in his early manhood he was a surveyor; a few years before the outbreak of the Revolution he belonged to a volunteer company of firemen ; like Cincinnatus he was called from the supervision of his farm to command the Continental armies, and after the close of the Revolution while the American people were passing through the critical period of their history, and transforming the colonies of the Continental epoch into States in the young and vigorous nation over which he was chosen the first President, as well as for the years following his retirement from public office until his death, his farm at Mount Vernon received his constant and careful attention; even during the height of the struggle with the mother country he found time to write minute directions to the manager of his estates, concerning the planting and harvesting of crops, and matters relating to the various occupations of a farmer; finally, his unfailing interest in the social life of the neighborhood led him to take membership in the Masonic Order, and to preside for a time over the lodge near his home as its Master. These various interests, each of which has a clearly defined connection with the town, are happily commemorated by these four medals.

The obverse of all bears the same device. This is a head of Washington with the legend STRUCK BY ORDER OF CONGRESS TO COMMEMORATE THE CENTENARY OF WASHINGTON'S DEATH : on the field in front of the bust is the inscription WASHINGTON MONUMENT ASSOCIATION, ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.

The reverse of the first has within a wreath of laurel a surveyor's compass and "Jacob's staff," and the legend WASHINGTON SURVED ALEXANDRIA 1749. The Fireman's medal has within a similar wreath an ancient hand fire-engine, and the legend is WASHINGTON MEMBER OF FRIENDSHIP FIRE COMPANY 1773. On the third is an allegorical figure of Ceres, the goddess of husbandry, with various implements of agriculture, grain, etc., and the legend is WASHINGTON FOREMOST FARMER OF HIS DAY. The Masonic medal has the laurel wreath surrounding a Freemason's apron, and the legend is WASHINGTON MASTER ALEXANDRIA LODGE NO. 22, A. F. & A. M. 1788.

The medals have been struck in bronze and silver at the Philadelphia mint, and the proceeds of their sale are to be devoted to the erection of the Citizen Monument.