General Washington

Baker 607D       Game Counter, Type 1           Lauer         Nuremburg

Obverse:   GENERAL     WASHINGTON
Reverse:  IN UNITATE FORTITUDO [below] SPIEL   MÜNZE

Brass       Weight:  34.3 g   (2.22 grams)           Diameter:  19.24 mm           Reverse die alignment: 360°

Comments:  This is one of a group of game counters produced by Ludwig Christian Lauer in Nuremburg, Germany in the mid to late 1860's (one variety, Baker 604 is signed LAUER and another, Baker 607L is dated 1855). The image of Washington is based on an 1817 print bu Giuseppe Longhi know in Germany through a copy engraved by G.G. Felsing in 1824. This shows a three quarter bust in civilian dress facing left (to Washington's right).

This is a type one obverse, in which the bust extends to the border of the token. There is a die crack extending from Washington's shirt upward toward his shoulder but turning at a right angle and extending to the rim. The reverse shows an eagle with dropped wings holding an olive branch and three arrows in its talons. This variety lacks the U.S. shield in the eagle's breast, as found in several other varieties. The Latin motto on the reverse translates as "Strength in unity" while Spielm&u uml;nze is German for "play money."

Provenance:  Donated by Marilyn Bierwagen in 1998.

Reference: Rulau and Fuld, p. 237.

https://coins.nd.edu/WashToken/WashTokenText/1850-59b.html