A Patriot’s Masterpiece: Rare Paul Revere Gold Brooch Shines in Historic May 2025 Auction

A Patriot’s Masterpiece: Rare Paul Revere Gold Brooch Shines in Historic May 2025 Auction

Edited by Christian Answini | Senior Fine Art Specialist

Imagine holding a piece of American history in the palm of your hand – a jewel once touched by a famed patriot and craftsman. Such an opportunity awaits collectors and curators this spring: an exceedingly rare Paul Revere gold brooch with a painted gentleman’s portrait is coming to auction on May 29, 2025. This antique brooch, bearing Paul Revere’s “PR” hallmark not once but twice on its reverse, blurs the line between art, artifact, and icon. It’s more than an exquisite piece of jewelry; it’s a tangible link to the Revolutionary era and a trophy from one of America’s most celebrated silversmiths. As it headlines Alderfer Auction’s Dr’s Richard Weiss and Sandra Harmon- Weiss, Single Owner Estate Auction in May 2025, this brooch offers an almost mythical allure – Paul Revere jewelry of any kind is extraordinarily scarce, let alone a gold brooch double hallmarked by Revere himself. In this blog, we’ll explore three key facets that make this piece so extraordinary: Paul Revere’s historical and cultural significance as a craftsman, the extreme rarity and value of surviving Revere gold pieces (especially those with double hallmarks), and the unique opportunity this auction presents for collectors and institutions to acquire an authentic treasure by Revere. Let’s dive into the story behind this patriot’s masterpiece and why its offering is causing such excitement in the historical jewelry auction world.

The Patriot Silversmith: Paul Revere’s Enduring Legacy in Craftsmanship

Most Americans know Paul Revere for his midnight ride and his rallying cry of liberty, but fewer realize that by day (and indeed for decades of his life) Revere was a master silversmith and goldsmith of the highest caliber. In fact, he was one of colonial Boston’s most renowned artisans, commissioned by the city’s leading families for fine silverware and jewelry. His work – from elegant tea sets to tiny keepsakes – was prized for its craftsmanship and quality, so much so that collectors and museums around the world covet Revere’s creations as among the most important pieces of American silver and gold​.(rauantiques.com). In a famous portrait by John Singleton Copley, Paul Revere is depicted in shirtsleeves, thoughtfully cradling a silver teapot he made – a symbol of his identity as a proud artisan. This dual legacy as patriot and craftsman gives Revere’s works a historical and cultural significance few other objects can match.

One remarkable example of Revere’s cultural significance as a craftsman is the story of a small gold urn he created for George Washington’s memorial. In 1799, upon President Washington’s death, the Freemasons of Massachusetts (Revere himself was a Mason) commissioned Paul Revere to forge a gold urn to hold a lock of Washington’s hair – a precious relic of the first President​. That gold urn, made by Revere’s own hands, is still treasured and used by the Masonic lodge today​(langantiques.com), a testament to the trust placed in Revere’s skill and the deep symbolism his handiwork could carry. From engraving printing plates for colonial currency to casting church bells after the Revolution, Revere’s artisanal contributions were woven into the fabric of America’s early history. (​rauantiques.com). Owning a piece crafted by Paul Revere is like holding a fragment of that history – a marriage of art and artifact that resonates with story and significance.

The gold portrait brooch coming up for auction exemplifies this blend of artistry and history. It features the painted likeness of a gentleman under glass, set in a gold frame personally crafted by Revere and marked with his maker’s stamp. Such portrait jewelry was a fashionable way to honor loved ones or important figures in the 18th century, and having one made by Paul Revere elevates it to a truly elite level. It’s the kind of item one might expect to find in a museum or in the collections of a historical society, connecting us directly to the people and craftsmanship of Revere’s era. Simply put, Paul Revere’s work as a silversmith/goldsmith carries a cultural weight that makes this brooch far more than just an adornment – it’s an embodiment of colonial America’s ingenuity and legacy.
Rarity and Value: Surviving Revere Gold Pieces and the Significance of the Double Hallmark

To call the offered brooch “rare” is an understatement. Paul Revere was prolific in his silver shop – records show he and his apprentices produced thousands of silver items (spoons, tankards, buckles, tea services and more) for Boston’s citizens​​. Gold pieces by Revere, however, were far less common. Gold was expensive and usually reserved for special commissions like rings, seals, or masonic jewels. Moreover, Revere’s standard practice was to stamp his maker’s mark onto his silver works (using either “REVERE” or a “PR” hallmark depending on the piece, but small gold jewelry often didn’t carry his hallmark at all (​paulreverehouse.org). In fact, according to the Paul Revere House research, “there is no known marked jewelry made by Revere” – he did make and repair jewelry, including several gold rings attributed to him, but such pieces were typically too small to bear the stamp used on larger silver pieces​ (paulreverehouse.org). This makes the discovery of a Revere brooch with not just one, but two “PR” hallmarks on the reverse, truly extraordinary. It means the brooch was of sufficient size or importance for Revere to imprint his initials, and having them struck twice is like a double signature confirming “Yes, this is truly my work.” 

An example of Paul Revere’s “PR” maker’s mark, seen here on the underside of a silver spoon handle (circa 1770). On smaller items Revere used a tiny italic PR in a rectangular cartouche (​paulreverehouse.org). The gold brooch up for auction bears this hallmark twice, an exceptionally rare double confirmation of authenticity.

Why does a hallmark matter so much? For collectors of collectible goldsmith work and antique silver, a clear maker’s mark by Paul Revere is the ultimate validation of provenance and quality. It transforms a beautiful old brooch into a certified Paul Revere jewelry piece – effectively a relic of an American legend. Revere’s marks are so sought-after that unfortunately they have been targets of forgeries in the past, which makes an original double hallmark even more invaluable. In the case of this brooch, the twin “PR” stamps on the reverse act as a guardian of its authenticity, assuring bidders that this isn’t just “in the style of” Paul Revere but a genuine product of his workshop.

Because of their rarity, surviving gold pieces by Revere command high values in the market. As a point of comparison, even a small gold thimble attributed to Revere (and lacking any hallmark, identified only by tradition and design) caused a stir when it went to auction in 2014 – it sold for about $10,000​ (antiquetrader.com). That thimble was nearly identical to one in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, underscoring how most such pieces reside in institutions rather than private hands​ (de.pinterest.com). Another example: a simple Revere silver teaspoon with his “PR” punch hallmark (much more common than gold items) can fetch close to five figures as well. One auction of a Revere silver spoon noted it brought in $9,600 at auction in 2018, and that a larger tablespoon reached $14,000​ (bidsquare.com) – phenomenal sums for flatware, driven largely by the power of Revere’s name and hallmark. Considering these benchmarks, a one-of-a-kind 18th-century gold brooch by Revere with a double hallmark could easily become the crown jewel of any collection. Its value is not just in the gold content or the fine portrait miniature it holds, but in its rarity and historical provenance. It’s the kind of piece that could set records and spark lively bidding among those who recognize its significance.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity for Collectors and Museums

For collectors, museum curators, historical societies, and enthusiasts, the appearance of this Paul Revere brooch on the open market is a thrilling opportunity. Typically, artifacts of this caliber end up in museums (or have been tucked away in private family collections for generations). The Single Owner Weiss-Harmon Auction on May 29, 2025, where this brooch is being offered, represents one of those rare moments when a new important piece by Revere becomes available to acquire. It’s no stretch to say that years or even decades might pass before another hallmarked Paul Revere gold jewel surfaces for sale – if at all. Institutions may see this as a chance to secure a tangible piece of the Revere legacy for public display, and advanced collectors might view it as the crowning gem of their collection of Americana. The brooch’s blend of aesthetic beauty (a finely painted portrait on ivory, set in rich gold) and historical importance (Revere’s own handiwork and hallmark) make it uniquely appealing to both art lovers and history buffs. It stands as a bridge between the Revolutionary War era and today’s collector market, ready to tell its story to whoever becomes its next steward. What makes the upcoming sale even more exciting is that this brooch is just one highlight of a much larger trove of treasures. The Weiss-Harmen collection, being presented by Alderfer Auction (both live and online via AlderferAuction.com), is a veritable cabinet of curiosities spanning centuries. Collectors who tune in for the Revere piece will also find an array of exceptional artifacts and fine antiques crossing the block, including:

• Jewelry by Boucheron and Cartier – exquisite European pieces that signify luxury and superb craftsmanship in their own right.
• Victorian “lover’s eye” miniatures and mourning jewelry – sentimental and rare jewelry from the 19th century, including tiny painted eyes and pieces worn in remembrance of loved ones.
• Mourning textiles and samplers – historic fabrics and needlework, some bearing poignant motifs of grief and love from centuries past.
• Historical creamware – ceramic tableware from the 18th century, including commemoratives 
• A flame-stitch purse (circa 1774) – an 18th-century hand-stitched purse with vibrant flame-stitch pattern, amazingly surviving from the time of the American Revolution.
• 17th-century Dutch brass tobacco boxes – ornate brass boxes from the 1600s used to store pipe tobacco, illustrating craftsmanship from the Dutch Golden Age.
• Chinese export porcelain – fine porcelain made in China for export to the West, treasured by colonial Americans and Europeans alike.
• Antique bookplates – engraved ex libris plates and perhaps prints by notable makers (even Paul Revere was known to engrave bookplates in his time).
• Continental currency from the Revolutionary era – paper money issued by the Continental Congress, the very currency that Paul Revere once helped print and engrave plates for.

Each of these categories represents a chance to own a slice of history, and together they make this Alderfer Auction May 2025 event a must-see for anyone passionate about antiques and historical collectibles. It’s not often that one auction offers such breadth — from fine art jewelry to folk textiles to colonial artifacts — all curated from a single distinguished estate. The presence of the Paul Revere brooch as the centerpiece only elevates the significance of the sale. In conclusion, the stage is set for May 29, 2025 to be a red-letter day in the antiques world. Dr’s Richard Weiss and Sandra Harmon- Weiss, Single Owner Estate Auction is poised to captivate audiences with this Paul Revere gold brooch and its supporting cast of treasures. If you’re a collector dreaming of owning an authentic, hallmarked piece by Paul Revere, or a museum aiming to preserve a national treasure, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for. Opportunities like this — to bid on a genuine Paul Revere artifact of such rarity — come along perhaps once in a lifetime. Mark your calendars and explore the full catalog at AlderferAuction.com. With a bit of boldness (and the winning bid), you could secure not just a beautiful piece of antique jewelry, but a profound piece of American history to call your own. Don’t miss the chance to add this patriot’s masterpiece to your collection and keep Paul Revere’s legacy shining for future generations.