George Washington
First President of the United States, 1789-1797 AD
Copper Cent, 29 mm.
Obverse: Liberty facing left, cap of liberty behind.
Reverse: "One Cent" within wreath.
Philadelphia mint, early 1796
George Washington commanded the American forces in the Revolutionary War from June of 1775 until the conclusion of the war. Throughout the war, he served without pay, and with exemplary dedication.
In the first elections for the new federal Congress, George Washington was unanimously elected to be chief executive, the only president so honored. He was inaugurated in the temporary capital, New York City, on Apr. 30, 1789.
America is fortunate to have had a man of Washington's character and integrity as its first President. Considering the history of the French Revolution, English Commonwealth, and numerous South American and African nations, it is all too easy for a young democracy to degenerate into a dictatorship. While Washington was a strong enough leader to protect the constitution, he had no ambition to be made king or to hold power indefinitely. The precedent he set has served America well to this day.
Many members of the House favored placing Washington's head on the obverse of the new nation's coins. Just as Washington opposed being made king, he opposed having his portrait placed on coins as he felt this was a monarchical practice. A female figure symbolizing Liberty was placed on the obverse of U.S. coins instead.