George Washington: Pewter Inaugural Button. This 19 mm. or 3/4" pewter button has engraved initials reading "GW". These initials match the ones seen on the "Linked States" pattern George Washington inaugural button. It is also very similar to Albert WI-20, the "Engraved Script" pattern. The imbedded shank appears to be the tombac style that was popular in the colonial period and was used on military buttons of the period. We believe the first appearance of this pattern occurred thirty or more years ago when Massachusetts auctioneer Ben Corning sold two examples. Few have surfaced in the interim. We sold an example on November 30, 2011 (lot #38007) for $6,572.