George H. Lovett

The medal's obverse bears Washington portrait, facing quarter-left, under eye in the sky with radiant beams of light; underneath, streamer with inscription (acorn) SUO (acorn) SE (acorn) ROE - ORE (acorn) FIRMAT (acorn); right angle and compass at center bottom. Around bottom half, HE WAS A BROTHER - OF THE MYSTIC TIE

The reverse seal of Fredericksburg lodge with masonic symbols and Washington's progress throught the masonic hierarchy. From left throught bottom, to right, NOV. 4 / 5752 / ENTERED / APPRENTICE; MAR. 3 - 5753 / FELLOW - CRAFT; AUG. 4 / 5753 / MASTER / MASON; signed at bottom, I. F. WOOD, DES. G. H. LOVETT, FEC.

The dates on the medal are numbered in the masonic calendar, which can be a bit confusing to non-masons, but we can simply subtract 4,000 from the numbers to get the "common" calendar years. Washington advanced quickly through the apprenticeship stage to emerge a master mason at the young age of 21.

The medal was designed by Isaac F. Wood and the dies were cut by George H. Lovett. It measures 51mm in diameter and was struck in bronze.  It appears to be a pretty rare medal though I am not aware of its exact mintage.

References:   ANS 4

References:   ANS 3

This medal's obverse bears bust of George Washington, facing right. Around, GEORGE - WASHINGTON; signed on truncation, GHL

The reverse bears seals of Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts surrounded by wreath. Around, TO COMMEMORATE THE CENTENNIAL OF THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON / AT BENNINGTON. VT. / AUG. 16 / 1877 /  ISSUED BY THE VT. NUMISMATIC SOCIETY / 1878; within wreath, over their respective seals, VT., N.H., MASS.; AUG. - 16 / 1777

The Battle of Bennington was fought on August 16, 1777, in Walloomsac, New York, about 10 miles (16 km) from its namesake Bennington, Vermont. A rebel force of 2,000 men, primarily composed of New Hampshire and Massachusetts militiamen, led by General John Stark, and reinforced by Vermont militiamen led by Colonel Seth Warner and members of the Green Mountain Boys, decisively defeated a detachment of General John Burgoyne's army led by Lieutenant Colonel Friedrich Baum, and supported by additional men under Lieutenant Colonel Heinrich von Breymann.

The battle was a major strategic success for the American cause; it reduced Burgoyne's army in size by almost 1,000 men, led his Indian support to largely abandon him, and deprived him of much-needed supplies, such as mounts for his cavalry regiments, draft animals and provisions; all factors that contributed to Burgoyne's eventual defeat at Saratoga. The victory galvanized colonial support for the independence movement, and played a key role in bringing France into the war on the rebel side. The battle's anniversary is celebrated in the state of Vermont as Bennington Battle Day.

This medal appears to be quite rare because I cannot find any documentation about it.  Issued by the Vermont Numismatic Society in its first official year of existence, I believe it to have been one of a set of two medals that shared the same reverse and both commemorated the Battle of Bennington Centennial. The other medal bears General Stark, the New Hampshire Revolutionary War hero, on the obverse.

Maybe a so-called dollar specialist or someone with more experience can provide more information about this handsome little medal.

The circular medal measures 40mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. No mintage is reported.