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Lot 571
[GEORGE III, KING OF ENGLAND (1738-1820)]. Long Live the King copper button. N.p., [1789]. 
Sale 960 - American Historical Ephemera & Photography
Nov 15, 2021 11:00AM ET
Live / Cincinnati
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Estimate
$1,500 - 2,500
Price Realized
$1,875
Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
[GEORGE III, KING OF ENGLAND (1738-1820)]. Long Live the King copper button. N.p., [1789]. 

35 mm diameter copper button, 1-piece impressed design with soldered loop shank (wear to edges, loss of finish, verdigris). Featuring the British crown engraved above a banner ribbon with flair ends reading "Long Live the King." Below are a crossed rose and thistle representing a united England and Scotland. 

These buttons were likely issued in 1789 in response to Washington's inauguration on 30 April 1789 and in an attempt to engender support for King George III. This timing also coincided with the King's unexpected recovery from a severe bout of illness (possibly porphyria). The button is an example of the memorabilia issued for the day of General Thanksgivings on 23 April proclaimed throughout Great Britain. 

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