The Christmas That Made America: Washington's Courageous Crossing
On Christmas night in 1776, General George Washington and his army executed a surprise attack on Hessian forces that was as an early turning point of the Revolutionary War. Known famously as “Washington’s Crossing of the Delaware,” this attack saw Washington lead 2,400 soldiers across the partially-frozen Delaware River into Trenton, New Jersey, where a large portion of British troops were stationed.
Washington and his confidants had speculated the British in Trenton would never expect an ambush on such a dreadful winter’s night, making them incredibly vulnerable to an attack. Although the move was risky, General Washington felt his men needed a decisive victory to lift their spirits and turn the tide of the war.
The attack originally called for three separate voyages across the Delaware, but the ice-choked waters made it impossible for convoys from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Burlington, New Jersey to cross the river. The inclement weather even caused a three-hour delay for Washington’s convoy of ferries and cargo boats, but the group persevered and made it to enemy grounds.
The attack was an overwhelming success for Washington’s army, as they not only captured thousands of prisoners but seized British muskets, gunpowder, and artillery.
Washington’s daring strategy gave America the spark it so desperately needed and was vital in gaining early traction in the war. Centuries later, the event is considered one of the most courageous actions in American history. This event is so significant that it has been memorialized through numerous works of art.
The most famous artistic work paying homage to Washington’s feat is Emanuel Leutze’s “Washington Crossing the Delaware.” The painting depicts Washington standing heroically in his rowboat, fixing his sights ahead as his crewmen paddle through the partially-frozen lake. Leutze first began the painting in 1849, but the original rendition was damaged by a studio fire in 1850. The painting was salvaged but was destroyed entirely in a bombing raid in Bremen, Germany during World War II. Thankfully, Leutze painted two more versions of the painting, one of which resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The other is in the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona, Minnesota. Leutze’s painting is undoubtedly iconic, and several artists have tried their hand at recreating it while adding their own personal touch.
Washington and his army crossing the Delaware River was first celebrated in numismatics in 1999, when an image nearly identical to Leutze’s painting became the reverse of the New Jersey State Quarter. The State of New Jersey titled its design “Crossroads of the Revolution.”
More recently, in 2021 the US Mint commemorated this historic moment by releasing the one-year-only-issue Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter. This new, innovative design differs entirely from that of Leutze’s painting and the New Jersey Quarter. It depicts Washington standing tall, with the wind flowing through his hair and jacket, as he extends his sword to guide his crew. In the background, other boats follow his lead across the icy waters.
Circulation issues of the 2021 Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter are struck at Philadelphia and Denver, while San Francisco bears the responsibility of producing all proof strikes.
As one of the most important incidents to occur in America’s existence, General George Washington and his genius strategy to cross the Delaware River on Christmas night, will always be remembered. Rare Collectibles TV is proud to offer the finest examples of the 2021 Washing Crossing the Delaware Quarter, as well as other stunning designs of the quarter.
