This USA 1791 Washington President Cent collectible replica reproduces one of the most historically significant pattern pieces in American numismatics. The obverse presents a left-facing military bust portrait of George Washington in uniform, encircled by the inscription "WASHINGTON PRESIDENT" above and the date "1791" below. The reverse displays a bold heraldic eagle with wings spread, clutching an olive branch in its right talon and a bundle of arrows in its left, with a striped shield on its breast, the motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM" on a ribbon across its wings, and "ONE CENT" arcing above — a design that anticipates the Great Seal of the United States.
The 1791 Washington President Cent was never an officially issued coin. Struck privately in England — most likely at Matthew Boulton's Soho Mint in Birmingham — it was produced as a proposed design for the new American republic's coinage before the US Mint was formally established by the Coinage Act of 1792. Today it is classified as a pattern token and is among the most sought-after pieces in early American numismatic history. This piece is a United States founding-era pattern token collectible coin designed for display and collection.
About the Design
In the years following American independence, the question of what the new republic's coinage should look like was deeply contested. Some proposed placing Washington's portrait on coins — following the European tradition of royal portraiture — while others, including Washington himself, felt that depicting a living leader on currency smacked too much of monarchy. This tension is embodied in the 1791 Washington cent series, which was produced privately in England as a speculative proposal for American coinage, never formally adopted, and never struck by any US government authority.
The obverse portrait shows Washington in military dress, a deliberate choice that emphasised his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army rather than as a head of state. The inscription "WASHINGTON PRESIDENT" identifies him by his new constitutional title — the first use of that word on any coin — making this piece a remarkable document of the earliest days of the American presidency. The portrait style reflects the neoclassical engraving conventions of late 18th-century British coinage, lending the piece an authority and gravitas that suited its intended purpose as a proposed national coin.
The reverse eagle design draws directly on the iconography of the Great Seal of the United States, adopted in 1782. The heraldic eagle with shield, olive branch, arrows, and the motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM" (Out of Many, One) would go on to become the defining symbol of American federal coinage — appearing on everything from the early Draped Bust series to the modern quarter. Seeing it here, in 1791, on a privately struck pattern piece, is to witness the visual language of American money in the very moment of its invention.
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Product Features
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Design: Obverse — George Washington military bust portrait, "WASHINGTON PRESIDENT", dated 1791; Reverse — heraldic eagle with shield, olive branch and arrows, "E PLURIBUS UNUM" ribbon, "ONE CENT"
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Inscription (Obverse): "WASHINGTON PRESIDENT" — title of the first US President; date 1791
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Inscription (Reverse): "ONE CENT" — proposed denomination; "E PLURIBUS UNUM" — Out of Many, One
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Material: Copper with antique copper finish
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Finish: Antique copper
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Packaging: Securely packaged for safe arrival
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Note: This is a commemorative collectible replica of a historical pattern token and not legal tender
Perfect For
- Collectors of early American coinage, patterns, and founding-era numismatica
- History enthusiasts focused on George Washington, the US Presidency, and the founding of the Republic
- Display collections themed around 18th-century American and colonial-era coins
- Admirers of early US heraldic design and the origins of the Great Seal eagle
- Gifting to American history lovers, Anglophiles, or collectors of presidential memorabilia
Shipping
Free worldwide tracked shipping. Estimated delivery: 9–14 days. Each coin is securely packaged for safe arrival.
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This item is a commemorative collectible and is not legal tender, not issued by a government mint, and not an investment product. It is intended for hobby collecting and display purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this an original 1791 Washington Cent?
- No. This is a modern commemorative collectible replica inspired by the genuine 1791 Washington President Large Eagle Cent pattern token. Original examples are extremely rare and held in major numismatic collections. This replica is produced for collectors and display purposes only.
- What is the coin made from?
- The coin is made from copper with an antique copper finish, matching the material of the original 1791 pattern pieces, which were struck in copper.
- Is this coin legal tender?
- No. This is a decorative commemorative collectible with no monetary value. It cannot be used as currency.
- How is the coin packaged and shipped?
- Your coin will be securely packaged to protect it during transit and shipped with free worldwide tracked shipping. Estimated delivery is 9–14 days.
- What is a pattern coin and why was the 1791 Washington Cent never officially issued?
- A pattern coin is a trial or proposed design struck outside of official mint production — used to test a design, demonstrate a concept, or lobby for adoption. The 1791 Washington President Cent was struck privately in England, most likely at Matthew Boulton's Soho Mint in Birmingham, as a speculative proposal for the new American republic's coinage. It was never adopted or authorised by the US government. The Coinage Act establishing the US Mint was not passed until April 1792, meaning no official American cents existed when this piece was made. Today the 1791 Washington cents are classified as pattern tokens and are among the most prized pieces in early American numismatics.
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