“For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our country. He is a bird of bad moral character. He does not get his living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead tree near the river, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the labor of the Fishing Hawk and when that diligent bird has at length taken a fish, and is bearing it to his nest for the support of his mate and young ones, the bald eagle pursues him and takes it from him.”

Thankfully, that sentiment penned by Benjamin Franklin, writing from France on January 26, 1784 to his daughter Sally (Mrs. Sarah Bache) in Philadelphia, was never taken seriously. However correct his opinion might have been, at least our coinage has never been adorned with the turkey, which he would have preferred!

This original design above, patterned after number of period images, is cast in Sterling Silver and measures 1 & 3/4 inches from wingtip to wingtip. Suspended from doubled 2mm cords with four Sterling Silver bindings and a Sterling Silver toggle clasp.

Another American Eagle, this one a little more contemporary in design, is also cast in Sterling Silver and measures 3/4 inch wide.

And lastly, and possible my favorite, this little guy is strung with six Sterling Silver stars on a Sterling chain linked to an adjustable leather cord.

Firearms, by George Washington

The Patriot Medallion

As we watch the Constitution being shredded by the President and the Senate, as the timid Republican members of the House capitulate at every opportunity, it is time for all of us that believe in the ideals of our founding fathers to stand together in defiance of the ruling class. 

As a statement of my resolve I have created this sterling silver replica of an ancient coin that never existed.  Weighing over half an once and measuring 1 1/4 inches in diameter, my Patriot Medallion features the Liberty Tree, the 2^nd Amendment, and the classic Molon Labe statement of the ancient Spartans.  To purchase one for yourself, jump over to my
Clearwater Memories ETSY Shop at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ClearwaterMemories

The Liberty Tree

On 14 August 1765, a crowd gathered in Boston under a large elm tree at the corner of Essex & Washington Streets, originally called Orange Street, to protest the hated Stamp Act.  It was the first public show of defiance against the Crown and spawned the resistance that led to the American Revolution ten years later.

The 2nd Amendment
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Molon Labe
(Come and Take) is a classical expression of defiance spoken by King Leonidas 1 in response to the Persian Army's demand that the Spartans surrender their weapons at the Battle of Thermopylae.

2nd Ammendment Powder Horn

 

During the American Revolutionary War, the powder horn was essential equipment for every soldier who used a firearm. The rifleman carried his firelock, hunting pouch, and a horn to carry gunpowder. They were usually made from cow or ox horn.

My version of this iconic tool is representative of the many styles created before and during the Revolutionary War. Hand sculpted all around and cast into Sterling Silver, mine gives special emphasis to the 2nd Amendment by way of the numeral “2” inscribed on the back side of the pendant.

The pendant measures 1 and 3/8 inches in length and is suspended from a 21 inch, 2mm leather cord secured with a Sterling Silver clasp.

Before the American colonies even made their declaration of independence, the Second Continental Congress gathered together in Philadelphia to formally create a standing Army.
The next day, June 15, 1775, Congress chose George Washington, a Virginian, to be commander in chief.

Washington's military experience was perhaps greater than that of any other American, and he came from the largest and arguably the most important of the southern colonies. His impressive appearance, quiet and confident manner, and good work in the military committees of Congress had impressed his compatriots.

This original hefty Sterling Silver medallion is fashioned after an original Continental Army uniform button. It measures just over an inch in diameter and is suspended from a 28 inch tan leather cord with ten Sterling Silver beads . The cords join with a Sterling Silver fastener.

 

If interested in purchasing, please contact me at clearwatermemories@gmail.com

 

Don't Tread On Me

The rattlesnake populates the geographical areas of the original thirteen colonies. Their use as a symbol of the American colonies can be traced back to the publications of Benjamin Franklin. In 1751. He made the first reference to the rattlesnake in a satirical commentary published in his Pennsylvania Gazette. It had been the policy of Britain to send convicted criminals to America, so Franklin suggested that they thank the British by sending rattlesnakes to England.

Our bold version of the iconic image, with the snake patterned after the Gadsden Flag and sculpted in the style of an old coin, measures an inch in diameter is suspended from a 3mm leather cord measuring 20 inches in length and is secured with a Sterling Silver clasp.
Circling the snake are the words, “DON’T TREAD ON ME.”

The Don't Tread On Me pendant is available for $100 and can be purchased on Etsy.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/162102667/sterling-silver-dont-tread-on-me-pendant?