What exactly is the George Pick?
A George Pick is a solid silver plectrum hand-honed from
a vintage United States George Washington quarter-dollar coin,
and is the most renowned of all coin plectrums due to its size,
weight, feel and tone. The George Pick is a useful and unique plectrum
for all stringed instruments.
What is ‘Silvertone’?
Silver has been used for centuries by craftsmen to create musical instruments
due to the metal’s distinctive harmonious properties – or ‘Silvertone’.
When used as a plectrum, the precious silver metal produces a inimitable tone
when struck against the metal or nylon strings of a stringed instrument
and often described as ‘glassy’ and/or ‘metallic’. Silver conducts heat effectively
and quickly warms when held; the metal also has been described as having
a natural ‘non-slip’ property when gripped with the fingers,
making it an even-more effective tool as a plectrum.
Can the George Pick be spent like normal US currency?
No. The George Pick cannot be spent and is no longer considered US currency
due to the fact it has been altered from its original minted state.
The United States Mint ceased making currency from silver metals in 1965
because of the increased cost of precious metals; the metal in the currency
became more valuable than the currency itself. Silver was ultimately replaced
with other metals such as nickel, copper, manganese and aluminum.
Does a newer non-silver George Pick feel and sound like the silver George Pick?
Yes and No. Although the silver and non-silver George Picks are the same size
and hand-honed in the same manner, they each produce their own unique feel and tone.
Any George Pick created from a 1965 quarter-dollar or newer is made from nickel and copper,
and produces its own unique metallic tone when stuck against the strings of an instrument.
Any other questions?