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A 1792 One Cent Washington Getz Pattern with Small Eagle, Plain Edge design. Courtesy of PCGS TrueView. Click image to enlarge.

The early years of the United States were marked by efforts to establish a stable financial system, including the creation of a national currency. Among the figures at the forefront of these efforts was Robert Morris, a prominent statesman who played a critical role in the nation’s financial development.

On October 31, 1791, Morris, then head of the Senate committee on coinage and former Superintendent of Finance during the Confederation, was appointed to draft legislation that would establish a federal mint. This legislation was to include specifics on the size and design of the nation's first coins, a task that would lead to the creation of one of the most intriguing numismatic artifacts of the period: the Washington Getz Pattern coins.

Robert Morris and the Quest for a National Coinage

Robert Morris was no stranger to financial innovation. His work as the superintendent of finance had earned him the moniker “Financier of the Revolution,” and his influence was pivotal in shaping the early economic policies of the United States. By 1791, the need for a standardized national currency had become apparent, and Morris was entrusted with the responsibility of drafting the legislation that would establish a federal mint.

Morris envisioned a coinage system that would not only facilitate commerce but also symbolize the sovereignty of the new nation. His draft legislation outlined specific details regarding the size and design of the coins, reflecting both practical considerations and a desire to create symbols of national pride. Anticipating the passage of his legislation, Morris took proactive steps to prepare for the minting of the new coins. He hired several engravers to produce sample coins that conformed to his specifications, among them Peter Getz, an engraver from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The Role of Peter Getz and the Influence of John Gregory Hancock

Peter Getz was a skilled engraver who had gained a reputation for his work in Lancaster. Morris’s decision to employ Getz for this important task was likely influenced by Getz’s familiarity with contemporary coin designs and his ability to execute them with precision. To create the sample coins, Getz drew inspiration from the work of John Gregory Hancock, an English engraver who had earlier produced the Large and Small Eagle Washington Cents.

Hancock's coins had been created in the hope that the U.S. government would award a contract to his Birmingham employer to mint coins for the new nation. Although Hancock’s hopes were never realized, his designs were notable for their depiction of George Washington and the American eagle – both symbols that resonated strongly with the ideals of the young republic. Getz, recognizing the potential of these designs, adapted them to create his own prototypes.

The Striking of the Washington Getz Pattern Coins

The sample coins that Getz created were struck in both copper and silver, most likely in late 1791, in Philadelphia. These prototypes were intended to be distributed among government officials as examples of what the new national currency might look like. Approximately 30 to 40 silver samples and 100 to 150 copper samples were produced, and these were distributed to the 26 senators, 66 congressmen, and other dignitaries.

The design of the Washington Getz Patterns was both bold and symbolic. The obverse featured a bust of George Washington, surrounded by the legend “G. WASHINGTON. PRESIDENT. I.” and the date 1792. This depiction of Washington was intended to honor the nation’s first president and establish his image as a central figure in American iconography. The reverse of the coin depicted an American eagle with its wings raised, clutching an olive branch and arrows (symbols of peace and war) in its talons. Above the eagle was a field of 15 stars, representing the 15 states that were part of the Union at the time, and the legend “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”

Washington's Rejection and the Fate of the Getz Prototype

Despite the effort and thought that went into the creation of the Washington Getz Pattern coins, they ultimately never became part of the official U.S. coinage. Washington himself objected to the idea of his portrait being used on the nation’s coins, viewing it as overly monarchical. In a republic that had just fought a war to free itself from the rule of a king, the idea of placing the president’s image on a coin was seen by some as reminiscent of the European tradition of monarchs stamping their likeness on currency.

Washington’s rejection of the idea led to a significant change in the coinage legislation. When Congress became aware of Washington’s sentiments, they amended the bill to replace the requirement for a presidential portrait with “a device emblematic of liberty.” This amendment, which was passed on April 2, 1792, effectively ended any chance that the Getz prototype would be adopted as a model for U.S. coinage.

Although the Getz prototype was never officially accepted, it has since been recognized as an important artifact in the history of American numismatics. The coin, often referred to as a half dollar due to its conformity with the design and weight specifications outlined in Morris’s draft legislation, represents an early and ambitious attempt to create a national currency that reflected the values and ideals of the new republic.

Later Examples and the Legacy of the Getz Pattern Coins

While the original Getz prototypes were never adopted, the story of these coins did not end in the 18th century. Peter Getz is believed to have kept his dies and used them to strike additional pieces at a later date. Some of these later examples were overstruck on large cents from 1794 or 1795, suggesting that Getz continued to produce these coins into the mid-1790s. These later coins are identifiable by certain characteristics, such as rusted dies that deformed the letter “A” in “America.”

The legacy of the Washington Getz Pattern extended into the 19th century as well. Between 1858 and 1860, a Philadelphia coin dealer named William Idler commissioned John S. Warren to strike copies of the Getz coin in silver, white metal, and copper. These Idler copies are distinguishable from the originals in several ways. Many of the Idler coins bear the word “COPY” on the reverse, at the base of the eagle's tail on the left. However, not all Idler coins have this mark, as the die used to strike the copies was later altered to remove the word. Additional differences include the positioning of the “2” in 1792 (which points upward in the copy and downward in the original) and the placement of the uppermost star on the reverse (which points to the “E” in “States” on the copy and between the “T” and the “E” on the original). Furthermore, the weights of the coins differ, with the original copper coins weighing between 14.25 and 17.7 grams, while the copies weigh approximately 13.65 grams.

Idler also produced store cards that used either the Getz obverse or reverse, with his advertisement on the other side. These store cards were minted in various metals, including silver, copper, brass, and white metal.

The Varieties of the Washington Getz Patterns

Over the years, the Washington Getz Pattern coins have been issued in several varieties, each of which offers a unique glimpse into the evolution of early American coinage.

The most notable issues include:

• 1792 1 Cent Washington Getz Pattern Ornamented Edge
• 1792 50 Cent Washington Getz Pattern Large Eagle (Regular Strike)
• 1792 50 Cent Washington Getz Pattern Small Eagle (Regular Strike)
• 1792 50 Cent Washington Getz Small Eagle Silver Leaved Edge (Regular Strike)
• "1792" 50 Cent Washington Getz Pattern WM Idler Copy (Regular Strike)

Each of these varieties represents a different stage in the development and legacy of the Washington Getz Patterns. From the original prototypes created under the direction of Robert Morris to the later copies produced by William Idler, these coins have become treasured pieces of American numismatic history.

The Washington Getz Pattern coins are more than just early examples of American currency. They are symbols of the challenges and aspirations of a young nation trying to establish its identity. While the coins themselves were never adopted for general circulation, their story reflects the evolving views on national symbols and the importance of creating a currency that would stand as a testament to the values of liberty and democracy. Today, these coins are prized by collectors and historians alike, offering a tangible link to the formative years of the United States and the vision of the men who helped shape its future.