Medal 1873 - 1876

This bronze medal, just an inch and a half in diameter, was created by George Hampden Lovett, an American die sinker active in the 19th century. The medal presents a profile of George Washington, inscribed with “General Washington” and the year 1776. During Lovett’s time, the United States was grappling with its identity as a nation, and figures like Washington were elevated to almost mythical status. Yet, it's crucial to remember that the narrative of American independence was - and is - deeply intertwined with the erasure and oppression of other groups, particularly enslaved Africans and Native Americans. This medal, in its way, asks us to consider whose stories are deemed worthy of memorialization, and whose are systematically overlooked. It serves as a potent reminder that history is not a singular, objective truth, but rather a collection of narratives, each shaped by power and perspective.