numismatic author dean albanese considers the legend that washington provided the gold for the first 400 eagles to be improbable; holding $4,000 in coin would have tied up much of washington's capital in unproductive cash. albanese suggests that as many surviving 1795 eagles are found with little wear, washington may have had the government purchase pieces to give to dignitaries. by some reports, one eagle was presented to washington, though whether it was from this first coinage is uncertain.