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The annual report of the Mint of the United States.
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March 28, 1856. - Laid upon the table and ordered to be printed.
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To the House of Representatives of the United States:
I transmit, herewith, a report of the operations of the mint of the United States and its branches, including the assay office, for the year 1855.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
WASHINGTON, March 27, 1856.
. . . . . . . .
MINT OF THE UNITED STATES,
Philadelplhia, January 31, 1856.
SIR: I have the honor to present the following report of the Operations of the mint of the United States and its branches, including the assay office, for the year 1855.
The deposits received and coinage executed at the principal mint during the past year were as follows: gold deposits, $10,534,103 84; gold coins struck, $10,594,454; fine gold bars, $16,298 14; silver deposits, including silver separated from the California gold, and silver purchased pursuant to the act of March 3, 1853, $2,680,556 75; silver coinage, $1,419,170; copper coinage, $16,030 79 total deposits of gold and silver, $13,214,660 59; total coinage, $12,045,952 93. The coinage was comprised in 10,885,619 pieces.
The operations of the mint, except the receiving of deposits and melting, assaying, and paying the same, were suspended on the 19th of July last, at which time the repairs authorized by an appropriation made by the last Congress to the mint building were commenced. The construction of these repairs was entrusted to officers designated by the Treasury Department, and they are being completed in the most thorough and substantial manner, so as to render the mint edifice, in all its departments, entirely fire-proof. Advantage has also been taken of the opportunity thus offered to introduce useful changes and improvements in the rooms appropriated to the different branches of business, whereby the efficiency of the mint and the security of the treasure therein will be greatly advanced and promoted. During the suspension of coinage deposits were received and paid as heretofore, so that no inconvenience to depositors has resulted therefrom. But the accumulation of bullion, and the necessity of supplying coin, especially to the treasury of the United States, have made it necessary to resume the coinage operations, notwithstanding the work upon the repairs is in an unfinished state. The preparation of standard ingots for coinage was commenced on the 4th of the present month, and the delivery of coins to the treasurer was resumed on the 19th instant. The mint is now in active and efficient operation, although considerable inconvenience is experienced in consequence of the repairs not being fully completed. The suspension of coinage for the period of six months will sufficiently account for the diminished operations at the principal mint during the past year.
The deposits received at the branch mint at New Orleans amounted to $2,852,510 69; of which the sum of $431,156 83 was in gold, and $2,420,953 86 in silver. The coinage was $450,500 in gold, and $1,918,000 in silver; total coinage, $2,368,500; the number of pieces struck was 5,556,100.
The branch mint at San Francisco received of gold deposits the sum of $20,876,310 08; of silver, the sum of $259,787 47. The coinage operations were as follows: gold coin, $17,598,300; fine gold bars, $88,782 50; unparted or unrefined gold bars, $3,270,594 93; silver coinage, $164,075 total coinage operations, $21,121,752 43; comprised in 1,471,212 pieces.
The deposits received at the branch mint at Dahlonega were, in gold, $116,662 07; the coinage (gold) $116,778 50; the number of pieces struck was 25,366.
At the branch mint at Charlotte, the sum of $216,988 86 was deposited for coinage; the coinage, comprised in 53,268 pieces, amounted to $217,935 50. The operations of this branch, as well as that established at Dahlonega are confined to gold.
The assay office at New York received, during the year, the sum of $26,687,701 24 in gold bullion, and the further sum of $350,150 08 in silver; of this amount, the sum of $195,241 44 was parted from gold, and $2,061 87 was derived from the Lake Superior mines. The number of fine gold bars stamped at this office was 6,182, of the aggregate value of $20,441,813 63. For the bullion deposited during the year, payment has been made in fine gold bars to the amount of $17,246,247 74; and in coins to the amount of $9,791,603 58.
The entire amounts received at the mint and its branches, including the assay office, during the year, were as follows: gold, $58,862,922 92; silver, $5,711,448 16; total, $64,574,381 08. The coinage operations for the same period were as follows: gold coins, $28,977,968; fine gold bars, $20,546,894 27; imported bars, $3,270,594 93; silver coins, $3,501,245; copper coins, $16,030 79; total coinage, $56,312,732 99; comprised in 16,997,807 pieces.
It is proper to remark that the aggregate of the deposits above presented embraces a considerable amount of re-deposits; as, for example, unparted or unrefined bars made at San Francisco are sometimes re-deposited at the other minting establishments, and a portion of the fine bars formed at the assay office are transferred to the mint for coinage. Deducting these re-deposits, the actual amount of the precious metals brought into the mint and its branches, during the year, was $55,151,902 37.
The amount of gold of domestic production deposited in 1855 was $49,351,789 11, viz: from the Pacific side of the Union, including a deposit of $900 from New Mexico, $48,989,439 54; and from the Atlantic States $362,349 57.
Since the passage of the act of March 3, 1853, authorizing a reduction in the weight of the silver coinage, there have been issued the following amounts, viz: In 1853, $8,654,161; in 1854, $8,619,270; in 1855, $3,501,245; making a total of $20,774,676. As few, if any, of these coins have been exported, and but a small amount used in the arts, it will be seen that a large addition has been made to the silver coinage in circulation. The issuing of a few millions more of silver coins may be all that may be required in view of the exclusion of the circulation of silver, and of the small denominations of the gold coinage, in many of the States of the Union by the use of bank notes of a low denomination. We shall never, it is believed, fully realize the benefits of a sound specie circulation until all bank notes, at least below the denomination of twenty dollars, shall be excluded from circulation. And it seems well worthy the consideration of Congress, as suggested in the mint report of 1853, whether some provision is not practicable, either by taxation or other efficient means, to remedy the evil in question.
It may be interesting to present, in one view, the entire coinage operations at all the mints and the assay offices since their organization. They are as follows:
| Mint of the United States, Philadelphia, (1793) | $377,383,808 87 |
| Branch mint at New Orleans, (1838) | 57,386,665 00 |
| Branch mint at Dahlonega, (1838) | 5,690,266 00 |
| Branch mint at Charlotte, (1838) | 4,222,626 50 |
| Branch mint at San Francisco, (1854) | 30,853,326 64 |
| Assay office at New York, (1854) | 23,329,872 81 |
| Total | 498,866,565 82 |
The chief part of this large amount has been received since December, 1848, and is the production of the mines of California, viz: $313,234,502 77. In a former report some reasons were suggested tending to show that the large amount of gold from California, and that produced from Australia, need excite no apprehensions in regard to any material disturbance in the value of the precious metals; yet it cannot but be apparent that this increase renders it highly important that States and nations should extend the uses of gold and drive out of existence that which circulates in the place of it.
There is one point connected with this subject and with the general management of the national coinage, which although left by law to the discretion of the director of the mint, and cannot be made the subject of particular legislation, yet is of so much importance to the community generally, that this occasion seems appropriate to give it a fair and general understanding. The thirtieth section of the general mint law - act of January 18, 1837 - provides that "in the denominations of coin delivered, the treasurer shall comply with the wishes of the depositor, unless when impracticable or inconvenient to do so; in which case the denomination of coin shall be designated by the director." In view of the fact that depositors are always paid before their bullion is operated upon, out of a stock of coin previously made ready, it is evident that in the preparation of such a supply of coin the director is to use his discretion in regard to the denomination before conferring with depositors; and they may or may not be exactly suited in the payment. Undoubtedly, in the issue of coins, every proper attention should be given to the probable demand, and especially in the silver coinage, which, it is to be presumed, is wanted for immediate use, and not for storage in vaults. Heretofore, the general practice has been to pay depositors in the coin they have desired, and it is not intended by these observations to give notice that this usage will be entirely abandoned. But the chief design of a national mint is to subserve the interests of the people at large preferably to a few large owners of bullion or coin. The interests of the public and of depositors are not always concurrent in the matter under discussion. Depositors of large amounts call for coin in a form which gives the least trouble to count; and banking institutions, in addition to that, may prefer it in a form not likely to be drawn out. Many who present their checks at these institutions would, doubtless, ask for specie, but are deterred from doing so by the expectation of securing double eagles instead of half or quarter eagles. In a word, the plain effect of issuing gold coin of a large size is to keep down the circulation of specie and increase the use of paper money. This remark, of course, does not apply to such localities where paper money is prohibited, as, for example, in the State of California, because, in such cases, the different currencies cannot come in conflict.
Before the act of Congress authorizing the issuing of gold in stamped bars, there was, it is true, a necessity for the issue of large coins, as well to meet the demands for shipment to Europe as, in some measure, to relieve the pressure upon the mint. There was no kind of propriety in going through the manipulations and bearing the expense of making small gold coins to be directly melted down in foreign mints or refineries. But since the important change in our mint laws, before referred to, a distinction has been made to meet the demands of trade, by which gold intended for exportation is cast into fine bars, whilst that which is needed for home currency is converted into coin. If we look to the example of the wealthiest and most civilized nations of the globe we shall find that their largest gold coin, to speak in a general way, does not exceed our half eagle in value. Such is the case in Great Britain, France, Russia, the Netherlands, and other countries. There are pieces of ten thalers - about eight dollars of our money - coined in Germany, but apparently for international use. The same may be said of the American doubloon, of which the amount coined is small. It would no longer be an embarrassment to the principal mint, nor to the branches, except perhaps the branch at San Francisco, (and to that institution these views are not intended particularly to apply,) to coin all the gold that is likely to be offered in pieces of five dollars and less. It is true that nearly as much labor is expended in the manufacture of a gold dollar or a quarter eagle as of an eagle or double eagle; and in thus offering to make the smaller denominations a large increase of work is assumed; but this consideration is met by another - that the division of labor, and the present efficiency of the mint establishments, especially when the repairs at the principal mint are fully completed, will enable us to meet such increase without additional expenditures. The manufacture of fine bars at the assay office in New York, and the coinage of the branch mint at San Francisco, have so divided the work upon gold bullion as to remove all apprehension of difficulty or delay. In the coinage of half eagles particularly we shall be materially aided by a very remarkable machine lately invented for the final adjustment of the weight of the individual planchets. This instrument was manufactured at Paris, and has been introduced into the mint there, and one of similar powers is also employed in the mint of England. The one imported for the United States mint is adapted to the half eagle only. It is justly regarded as a triumph of mechanism. It is not by any means assumed that the coinage of the eagle and the double eagle should be discontinued. On the contrary, they will be indispensable at San Francisco; they may, in some emergencies, be required at Philadelphia and at New Orleans; but, as a general rule, adapted to the principal mint and to the branches in the Atlantic States, it is believed that the time has come to return to the smaller denominations of gold coin, issuing almost the whole in pieces not larger than the half eagle; and this, upon the ground already adverted to - particularly applicable to a country so greatly favored with the original production of the precious metal - that the people at large are entitled to a greater portion of real, imperishable money, and that a cardinal point, at which this reform is to be begun or aided, is the place where the gold is put into shape and size for circulation.
The propriety of the organization of a medal office at the mint is respectfully recommended to your consideration. The reasons for this measure heretofore presented need not be repeated here. The frequent calls upon us to strike medals, and to furnish copies of the public medals from the dies which are deposited at the mint, indicate that the establishment of such an office would be of great public benefit. As the statement of the medal dies annexed to my last report did not embrace all that are at the mint, and was in one or two other particulars not precisely accurate, I have caused a more correct list to be prepared, which is herewith presented.
I also attach to this report several tabular statements, exhibiting the full details of the operations of the mint and its branches, including the assay office, for the past year; also several statistical tables relating to the deposits and coinage of previous years, and showing the States and Territories from whence the precious metals have been received.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your faithful servant,
JAMES ROSS SNOWDEN,
Director United States Mint.
To the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
Statement of deposits and coinage at Mint of the United States, branches and assay office, during the year 1855.
| Description | Mint of U. States, Philadelphia. |
Branch Mint, N. Orleans. |
Branch Mint, San Francisco. |
Branch Mint, Dahlonega. |
Branch Mint, Charlotte. |
Assay office, New York. |
Total. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GOLD. | |||||||
| Foreign coin | $37,689 00 | $9,671 81 | $161,682 87 | $209,043 68 | |||
| Foreign bullion | 96,526 00 | 9,967 78 | $15,872 88 | 254,632 26 | 876,998 92 | ||
| United States coin, (O. S.) | 2,622 50 | 2,622 50 | |||||
| United States bullion | 10,397,266 34 | 411,517 24 | 20,860,437 20 | $116,662 07 | $216,988 86 | 26,271,386 11 | 58,274,257 82 |
| Total gold | 10,534,103 84 | 431,156 83 | 20,876,310 08 | 116,662 07 | 216,988 86 | 26,687,701 24 | 58,862,922 92 |
| SILVER. | |||||||
| Deposited, (including purchases) | 2,629,109 37 | 2,418 019 99 | 178,418 63 | 154,908 64 | 5,380,456 63 | ||
| United States bullion, (parted) | 51,447 38 | 2,933 87 | 81,368 84 | 195,241 44 | 330,991 53 | ||
| Total silver | 2,680,556 75 | 2,420,953 86 | 259,787 47 | None. | None. | 350,150 08 | 5,711,448 16 |
| Total deposits | 13,214,660 59 | 2,852,510 69 | 21,136,097 55 | 116,662 07 | 216,988 86 | 27,037,851 32 | 64,574,371 08 |
| Less value of gold ($8,922,468 71) and silver ($500,000) redeposited at the different institutions | 9,422,468 71 | ||||||
| Total | 55,151,902 37 |
| Denomination. | Mint of United States, Philadelphia. |
Branch Mint, New Orleans. |
Branch Mint, San Francisco. |
Branch Mint, Dahlonega. |
Branch Mint, Charlotte. |
Assay office, New York. |
Total. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pieces. | Value. | Pieces. | Value. | Pieces. | Value. | Pieces. | Value. | Pieces. | Value. | Pieces. | Value. | Pieces. | Value. | |
| GOLD. | ||||||||||||||
| Double eagles | 364,666 | $7,293,320 00 | 8,000 | $160,000 | 859,175 | $17,183,500 00 | 1,231,841 | $24,636,820 00 | ||||||
| Eagles | 121,701 | 1,217,010 00 | 18,000 | 180,000 | 9,000 | 90,000 | 148,701 | 1,487,010 00 | ||||||
| Half eagles | 117,098 | 585,490 00 | 11,100 | 55,500 | 61,000 | 305,000 00 | 22,432 | 112,160 00 | 39,788 | $198,940 00 | 251,148 | 1,257,090 00 | ||
| Three dollars | 50,555 | 151,665 00 | 6,600 | 19,800 00 | 57,155 | 171,465 00 | ||||||||
| Quarter eagles | 235,480 | 588,700 00 | 1,123 | 2,807 50 | 3,677 | 9,192 50 | 240,280 | 600,700 00 | ||||||
| Dollars | 758,269 | 758,269 00 | 55,000 | 55,000 | 1,811 | 1,811 00 | 9,803 | 9,803 00 | 824,883 | 824,883 00 | ||||
| Fine bars | 21 | 16,298 14 | 26 | 88,782 50 | 6,182 | $20,441,813 63 | 6,229 | 20,546,894 27 | ||||||
| Unparted bars | 1,121 | 3,270,594 93 | 1,121 | 3,270,594 93 | ||||||||||
| Total gold | 1,647,790 | 10,610,752 14 | 92,100 | 450,500 | 936,922 | 20,957,677 43 | 25,366 | 116,778 50 | 53,268 | 217,935 50 | 6,182 | 20,441,813 63 | 2,761,628 | 52,795,457 20 |
| SILVER. | ||||||||||||||
| Dollars | 26,000 | 26,000 00 | 26,000 | 26,000 00 | ||||||||||
| Half dollars | 759,500 | 379,750 00 | 3,688,000 | 1,844,000 | 121,950 | 60,975 00 | 4,569,450 | 2,284,725 00 | ||||||
| Quarter dollars | 2,857,000 | 714,250 00 | 176,000 | 44,000 | 412,400 | 103,100 00 | 3,445,400 | 861,350 00 | ||||||
| Dimes | 2,075,000 | 207,500 00 | 2,075,000 | 207,500 00 | ||||||||||
| Half dimes | 1,750,000 | 87,500 00 | 600,000 | 30,000 | 2,350,000 | 117,500 00 | ||||||||
| Three cent pieces | 139,000 | 4,170 00 | 139,000 | 4,170 00 | ||||||||||
| Total silver | 7,606,500 | 1,419,170 00 | 4,464,000 | 1,918,000 | 534,350 | 164,075 00 | None. | None. | None. | None. | None. | None. | 12,604,850 | 3,501,245 00 |
| COPPER. | ||||||||||||||
| Cents | 1,574,829 | 15,748 29 | 1,574,829 | 15,748 29 | ||||||||||
| Half cents | 56,500 | 282 50 | 56,500 | 282 50 | ||||||||||
| Total copper | 1,631,329 | 16,030 79 | None. | None. | None. | None. | None. | None. | None. | None. | None. | None. | 1,631,329 | 16,030 79 |
| RECAPITULATION. | ||||||||||||||
| Total gold | 1,647,790 | 10,610,752 14 | 92,100 | 450,500 | 936,922 | 20,957,677 43 | 25,366 | 116,778 50 | 53,268 | 217,935 50 | 6,182 | 20,441,813 63 | 2,761,628 | 52,795,457 20 |
| Total silver | 7,606,500 | 1,419,170 00 | 4,464,000 | 1,918,000 | 534,350 | 164,075 00 | 12,604,850 | 3,501,245 00 | ||||||
| Total copper | 1,631,329 | 16,030 79 | 1,631,329 | 16,030 79 | ||||||||||
| Total coinage | 10,885,619 | 12,045,952 98 | 5,556,100 | 2,368,500 | 1,471,272 | 21,121,752 43 | 25,366 | 116,778 50 | 53,268 | 217,935 50 | 6,182 | 20,441,813 63 | 16,997,807 | 56,312,732 99 |
MINT OF THE UNITED STATES, Philadelphia, December 31, 1856.
Coinage of the mint and branch mints from their organization to the close of the year 1855.
| Periods. | GOLD COINAGE. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double eagles. | Eagles. | Half eagles. | Three dollars. | Quarter eagles. | Dollars. | Fine bars. | |
| Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Value. | |
| 1793 to 1817 | 132,592 | 845,909 | 22,197 | ||||
| 1818 to 1837 | 3,087,925 | 879,903 | |||||
| 1838 to 1847 | 1,227,759 | 3,269,921 | 345,526 | ||||
| 1848 | 145,484 | 260,775 | 8,886 | ||||
| 1849 | 653,618 | 133,070 | 23,294 | 688,567 | |||
| 1850 | 1,170,261 | 291,451 | 64,491 | 252,923 | 481,953 | ||
| 1851 | 2,087,155 | 176,328 | 377,505 | 1,372,748 | 3,317,671 | ||
| 1852 | 2,053,026 | 263,106 | 573,901 | 1,159,681 | 2,045,351 | ||
| 1853 | 1,261,326 | 201,253 | 305,770 | 1,404,668 | 4,076,051 | $15,835,997 94 | |
| 1854 | 757,899 | 54,250 | 160,675 | 138,618 | 596,258 | 1,639,445 | 17643,270 58 |
| 1855 | 364,666 | 121,701 | 117,098 | 50,555 | 235,480 | 758,269 | 16,298 14 |
| Total | 7,694,333 | 3,267,542 | 9,197,040 | 189,173 | 6,301,564 | 13,007,307 | 33,495,566 66 |
| Periods. | SILVER COINAGE. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dollars. | Half dollars. | Quarter dollars. | Dimes. | Half dimes. | Three cents. | |
| Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | |
| 1793 to 1817 | 1,439,517 | 13,104,433 | 650,280 | 1,007,151 | 265,543 | |
| 1818 to 1837 | 1,000 | 74,793,560 | 5,041,749 | 11,854,949 | 14,463,700 | |
| 1838 to 1847 | 879,873 | 20,203,333 | 4,952,073 | 11,387,995 | 11,093,235 | |
| 1848 | 15,000 | 580,000 | 146,000 | 451,500 | 668,000 | |
| 1849 | 62,600 | 1,252,000 | 340,000 | 839,000 | 1,309,000 | |
| 1850 | 7,500 | 227,000 | 190,800 | 1,931,500 | 955,000 | |
| 1851 | 1,300 | 200,750 | 160,000 | 1,026,500 | 781,000 | 5,477,400 |
| 1852 | 11,100 | 77,130 | 177,060 | 1,535,500 | 1,000,500 | 18,663,500 |
| 1853 | 46,110 | 3,532,708 | 15,254,220 | 12,173,010 | 13,345,020 | 11,400,000 |
| 1854 | 33,140 | 2,982,000 | 12,380,000 | 4,470,000 | 5,740,000 | 671,000 |
| 1855 | 26,000 | 759,500 | 2,857,000 | 2,075,000 | 1,750,000 | 139,000 |
| Total | 2,513,140 | 117,719,414 | 42,149,182 | 48,752,105 | 51,370,998 | 36,320,900 |
| Periods. | COPPER COINAGE. | TOTAL COINAGE. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cents. | Half cents. | Number of pieces coined |
Value of gold. | Value of silver. | Value of copper. | Total value coined. | |
| Pieces. | Pieces. | ||||||
| 1793 to 1817 | 29,316,272 | 5,235,513 | 52,019,407 | $5,610,957 50 | $8,268,295 75 | $319,340 28 | $14,198,593 53 |
| 1818 to 1837 | 46,554,830 | 2,205,200 | 158,882,816 | 17,639,382 50 | 40,566,897 15 | 476,574 30 | 58,682,853 95 |
| 1838 to 1847 | 34,967,663 | 88,327,378 | 29,491,010 00 | 13,913,019 00 | 349,676 63 | 43,753,705 63 | |
| 1848 | 6,415,799 | 8,691,444 | 2,780,930 00 | 420,050 00 | 64,157 99 | 3,265,137 99 | |
| 1849 | 4,178,500 | 39,864 | 9,519,513 | 7,948,332 00 | 922,950 00 | 41,984 32 | 8,913,266 32 |
| 1850 | 4,426,844 | 39,812 | 10,039,535 | 27,756,445 50 | 409,600 00 | 44,467 50 | 28,210,513 00 |
| 1851 | 9,889,707 | 147,672 | 24,985,736 | 52,143,446 00 | 446,797 00 | 99,635 43 | 52,689,878 43 |
| 1852 | 5,063,094 | 32,612,949 | 51,505,638 50 | 847,410 00 | 50,630 94 | 52,403,679 44 | |
| 1853 | 6,641,131 | 129,694 | 69,775,537 | 52,191,618 94 | 7,852,571 00 | 67,059 78 | 60,111,249 72 |
| 1854 | 4,236 156 | 55,358 | 33,919,921 | 37,693,069 58 | 5,373,270 00 | 42,638 35 | 43,108,977 93 |
| 1855 | 1,574,829 | 56,500 | 10,885,619 | 10,610,752 14 | 1,419,170 00 | 16,030 79 | 12,045,950 93 |
| Total | 153,264,825 | 7,909,613 | 499,659,853 | 295,371,582 66 | 80,440,029 90 | 1,572,196 31 | 377,383,808 87 |
| Periods. | GOLD COINAGE. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double eagles. | Eagles. | Half eagles. | Three dollars. | Quarter eagles. | Dollars. | Unparted bars. | Fine bars. | |
| Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Value. | Value. | |
| 1854 | 141,468 | 123,826 | 268 | 246 | 14,632 | $5,641,504 05 | $5,863 16 | |
| 1855 | 859,175 | 9,000 | 61,000 | 6,600 | 3,270,594 93 | 88,782 50 | ||
| Total | 1,000,643 | 132,826 | 61,268 | 6,600 | 246 | 14,632 | 8,912,098 98 | 94,645 66 |
| Periods. | SILVER COINAGE. | TOTAL COINAGE. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half dollars. | Quarter dollars. | Dimes. | Half dimes. | Number of pieces. |
Value of gold. | Value of silver. | Total value coined. | |
| Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | ||||
| 1854 | 282,712 | $9,731,574 21 | $9,731,574 21 | |||||
| 1855 | 121,950 | 412,400 | 1,471,122 | 20,957,677 43 | $164,075 | 21,121,752 43 | ||
| Total | 121,950 | 412,400 | 1,753,984 | 30,689,251 64 | 164,075 | 30,853,326 64 | ||
| Periods. | GOLD COINAGE. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double eagles. | Eagles. | Half eagles. | Three dollars. | Quarter eagles. | Dollars. | |
| Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | |
| 1838 to 1847 | 1,026,342 | 709,925 | 550,528 | |||
| 1848 | 35,850 | |||||
| 1849 | 23,900 | 215,000 | ||||
| 1850 | 141,000 | 57,500 | 84,000 | 14,000 | ||
| 1851 | 315,000 | 263,000 | 41,000 | 148,000 | 290,000 | |
| 1852 | 190,000 | 18,000 | 140,000 | 140,000 | ||
| 1853 | 71,000 | 51,000 | 290,000 | |||
| 1854 | 3,250 | 52,500 | 46,000 | 24,000 | 153,000 | |
| 1855 | 8,000 | 18,000 | 11,100 | 55,000 | ||
| Total | 728,250 | 1,546,092 | 808,025 | 24,000 | 1,075,528 | 1,004,000 |
| Periods. | SILVER COINAGE. | TOTAL COINAGE. | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dollars. | Half dollars. | Quarter dollars. | Dimes. | Half dimes. | Three cents. | Number of pieces. |
Value of gold. |
Value of silver. |
Total value coined. | |
| Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | |||||
| 1838 to 1847 | 59,000 | 13,509,000 | 3,273,600 | 6,473,500 | 2,789,000 | 28,390,895 | $15,189,365 | $8,418,700 | $23,608,065 | |
| 1848 | 3,180,000 | 600,000 | 3,815,850 | 358,500 | 1,620,000 | 1,978,500 | ||||
| 1849 | 2,310,000 | 300,000 | 140,000 | 2,988,900 | 454,000 | 1,192,000 | 1,646,000 | |||
| 1850 | 40,000 | 2,456,000 | 412,000 | 510,000 | 690,000 | 4,404,500 | 3,619,000 | 1,456,500 | 5,075,500 | |
| 1851 | 402,000 | 88,000 | 400,000 | 860,000 | 720,000 | 3,527,000 | 9,795,000 | 327,600 | 10,122,600 | |
| 1852 | 144,000 | 96,000 | 430,000 | 260,000 | 1,418,000 | 4,470,000 | 152,000 | 4,622,000 | ||
| 1853 | 1,328,000 | 1,332,000 | 1,100,000 | 2,360,000 | 6,532,000 | 2,220,000 | 1,225,000 | 3,445,000 | ||
| 1854 | 5,240,000 | 1,484,000 | 1,770,000 | 1,560,000 | 10,332,750 | 1,274,500 | 3,246,000 | 4,520,500 | ||
| 1855 | 3,688,000 | 176,000 | 600,000 | 5,566,100 | 450,500 | 1,918,000 | 2,368,500 | |||
| Total | 99,000 | 32,257,000 | 6,861,600 | 10,983,500 | 9,859,000 | 720,000 | 66,975,895 | 37,830,865 | 19,555,800 | 57,386,665 |
| Periods. | GOLD COINAGE. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half eagles. | Three dollars. | Quarter eagles. | Gold dollars. | Total pieces. | Total value. | |
| Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | |||
| 1838 to 1847 | 269,424 | 123,576 | 393,000 | $1,656,060 00 | ||
| 1848 | 64,472 | 16,788 | 81,260 | 364,330 00 | ||
| 1849 | 64,823 | 10,220 | 11,634 | 86,677 | 361,299 00 | |
| 1850 | 63,591 | 9,148 | 6,966 | 79,705 | 347,791 00 | |
| 1851 | 49,176 | 14,923 | 41,267 | 105,366 | 324,454 50 | |
| 1852 | 72,574 | 9,772 | 9,434 | 91,780 | 396,734 00 | |
| 1853 | 65,571 | 11,515 | 77,086 | 339,370 00 | ||
| 1854 | 39,283 | 7,295 | 46,578 | 214,652 50 | ||
| 1855 | 39,788 | 3,677 | 9,803 | 53,268 | 217,935 50 | |
| Total | 728,702 | 195,399 | 90,619 | 1,014,720 | 4,222,626 50 | |
| Periods. | GOLD COINAGE. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half eagles. | Three dollars. | Quarter eagles. | Gold dollars. | Total pieces. | Total value. | |
| Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | Pieces. | |||
| 1838 to 1847 | 576,553 | 134,101 | 710,654 | $3,218,017 50 | ||
| 1848 | 47,465 | 13,771 | 61,236 | 271,752 50 | ||
| 1849 | 39,036 | 10,945 | 21,588 | 71,569 | 244,130 50 | |
| 1850 | 43,950 | 12,148 | 8,382 | 64,480 | 258,502 00 | |
| 1851 | 62,710 | 11,264 | 9,882 | 83,856 | 351,592 00 | |
| 1852 | 91,452 | 4,078 | 6,360 | 101,890 | 473,815 00 | |
| 1853 | 89,678 | 3,178 | 6,583 | 99,439 | 462,918 00 | |
| 1854 | 56,413 | 1,120 | 1,760 | 2,935 | 62,228 | 292,760 00 |
| 1855 | 22,432 | 1,123 | 1,811 | 25,366 | 116,778 50 | |
| Total | 1,029,689 | 1,120 | 192,368 | 57,541 | 1,280,718 | 5,690,266 00 |
| 1854. | Fine gold bars | 822 | $2,888,059 18 |
| 1855. | Fine gold bars | 6,182 | 20,441,813 63 |
| Total | 7,004 | 23,329,872 81 | |
| Mints. | Commencement of coinage. |
Gold coinage. | Silver coinage. | Copper coinage. | Entire coinage. | Entire coinage. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value. | Value. | Value. | Pieces. | Value. | ||
| Philadelphia | 1793 | $295,371,582 66 | $80,440,029 90 | $1,572,196 31 | 499,659,835 | $377,383,808 87 |
| San Francisco | 1854 | 30,689,251 64 | 164,075 00 | 1,753,984 | 30,853,326 64 | |
| New Orleans | 1838 | 37,830,865 00 | 19,555,800 00 | 66,975,895 | 57,386,665 00 | |
| Charlotte | 1838 | 4,222,626 50 | 1,014,720 | 4,222,626 50 | ||
| Dahlonega | 1838 | 5,690,266 00 | 1,280,718 | 5,690,266 00 | ||
| Assay Office | 1854 | 23,329,872 81 | 7,004 | 23,329,872 81 | ||
| Total | 397,134,464 61 | 100,159,904 90 | 1,572,196 31 | 570,692,156 | 498,866,565 82 | |
Statement of gold of domestic production deposited at the Mint of the United States and its branches to the close of the year 1855.
| Periods. | Virginia. | North Carolina. | South Carolina. | Georgia. | Tennessee. | Alabama. | N. Mexico. | California. | Various sources. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1804 to 1827 | $110,000 | $110,000 00 | ||||||||
| 1828 to 1837 | $427,000 00 | 2,519,500 | $327,500 | $1,763,900 00 | $12,400 | $13,200 | 5,063,500 00 | |||
| 1838 to 1847 | 518,294 00 | 1,303,636 | 152,366 | 566,316 00 | 16,499 | $45,493 | 21,037 | 2,623,641 00 | ||
| 1848 | 57,886 00 | 109,034 | 19,228 | 3,370 00 | 3,497 | 3,670 | $682 | $44,177 00 | 241,544 00 | |
| 1849 | 129,382 00 | 102,688 | 4,309 | 10,525 00 | 2,739 | 2,977 | 32,889 | 5,481,439 00 | 144 | 5,767,092 00 |
| 1850 | 65,991 00 | 43,734 | 759 | 5,114 00 | 307 | 1,178 | 5,392 | 31,667,505 00 | 326 | 31,790,306 |
| 1851 | 69,052 00 | 49,440 | 12,338 | 2,490 00 | 126 | 817 | 890 | 46,939,367 00 | 47,074,520 00 | |
| 1852 | 83,626 00 | 65,248 | 4,505 | 3,420 00 | 254 | 814 | 49,663,623 00 | 49,821,490 00 | ||
| 1853 | 52,200 00 | 45,690 | 3,522 | 1,912 00 | 3,632 | 52,732,227 00 | 18,748 | 52,857,931 00 | ||
| 1854 | 23,347 00 | 9,062 | 1,220 | 7,561 00 | 245 | 738 | 35,671,185 00 | 35,713,358 00 | ||
| 1855 | 28,895 50 | 22,626 | 1,200 | 1,733 50 | 310 | 900 | 2,634,297 63 | 1,535 | 2,691,497 63 | |
| Total | 1,455,673 50 | 4,380,658 | 526,947 | 2,366,341 50 | 35,568 | 54,944 | 45,937 | 224,833,820 63 | 54,990 | 233,754,879 63 |
| Periods. | Virginia. | North Carolina. | South Carolina. | Georgia. | Tennessee. | Alabama. | New Mexico. | California. | Various sources. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1854 | $10,842,281 23 | $10,842,281 23 | ||||||||
| 1855 | 20,860,437 20 | 20,860,437 20 | ||||||||
| Total | 31,702,718 43 | 31,702,718 43 |
| Periods. | Virginia. | North Carolina. | South Carolina. | Georgia. | Tennessee. | Alabama. | New Mexico. | California. | Various sources. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1838 to 1847 | $741 | $14,306 | $37,364 | $1,772 | $61,903 | $3,613 | $119,699 00 | |||
| 1848 | 1,488 | 2,317 | 947 | 6,717 | $1,124 00 | 12,593 00 | ||||
| 1849 | 423 | 4,062 | 669,921 00 | 2,783 | 677,189 00 | |||||
| 1850 | 3,560 | 4,575,567 00 | 894 | 4,580,021 00 | ||||||
| 1851 | 1,040 | 8,769,682 00 | 8,770,722 00 | |||||||
| 1852 | 3,777,784 00 | 3,777,784 00 | ||||||||
| 1853 | 2,006,673 00 | 2,006,673 00 | ||||||||
| 1854 | 981,511 00 | 981,511 00 | ||||||||
| 1855 | 411,517 24 | 411,517 24 | ||||||||
| Total | 741 | 16,217 | 39,681 | 2,719 | 77,282 | 21,193,779 24 | 7,290 | 21,337,709 24 |
| Periods. | Virginia. | North Carolina. | South Carolina. | Georgia. | Tennessee. | Alabama. | New Mexico. | California. | Various sources. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1838 to 1847 | $1,529,777 00 | $143,941 00 | $1,673,718 00 | |||||||
| 1848 | 359,075 00 | 11,710 00 | 370,785 00 | |||||||
| 1849 | 378,223 00 | 12,509 00 | 390,732 00 | |||||||
| 1850 | 307,289 00 | 13,000 00 | 320,289 00 | |||||||
| 1851 | 275,472 00 | 25,478 00 | $15,111 00 | 316,061 00 | ||||||
| 1852 | 337,604 00 | 64,934 00 | 28,362 00 | 430,900 00 | ||||||
| 1853 | 227,847 00 | 61,845 00 | 15,465 00 | 305,157 00 | ||||||
| 1854 | 188,277 00 | 19,001 00 | 6,328 00 | 213,606 00 | ||||||
| 1855 | 196,894 03 | 14,277 17 | 5,817 66 | 216,988 86 | ||||||
| Total | 3,800,458 03 | 366,695 17 | 71,083 66 | 4,238,236 86 |
| Periods. | Virginia. | North Carolina. | South Carolina. | Georgia. | Tennessee. | Alabama. | New Mexico. | California. | Various sources. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1838 to 1847 | $64,351 00 | $95,427 00 | $2,978,353 00 | $32,175 | $47,711 00 | $3,218,017 00 | ||||
| 1848 | 5,434 00 | 8,151 00 | 251,376 00 | 2,717 | 4,075 00 | 271,753 00 | ||||
| 1849 | 4,882 00 | 7,323 00 | 225,824 00 | 2,441 | 3,661 00 | 244,131 00 | ||||
| 1850 | 4,500 00 | 5,700 00 | 204,473 00 | 1,200 | 1,800 00 | $30,025 00 | 247,698 00 | |||
| 1851 | 1,971 00 | 3,236 00 | 154,723 00 | 2,251 | 2,105 00 | 214,072 00 | $951 | 379,309 00 | ||
| 1852 | 443 00 | 57,543 00 | 93,122 00 | 750 | 324,931 00 | 476,789 00 | ||||
| 1853 | 2,085 00 | 33,950 00 | 56,984 00 | 149 | 359,122 00 | 452,290 00 | ||||
| 1854 | 5,818 00 | 15,988 00 | 47,027 00 | 223 | 211,169 00 | 280,225 00 | ||||
| 1855 | 3,145 82 | 9,113 27 | 56,686 36 | 277 92 | 47,428 70 | 116,652 07 | ||||
| Total | 92,629 82 | 236,431 27 | 4,068,568 36 | 41,906 | 59,629 92 | 1,186,747 70 | 951 | 5,686,864 07 |
| Periods. | Virginia. | North Carolina. | South Carolina. | Georgia. | Tennessee. | Alabama. | New Mexico. | California. | Various sources. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1854 | $167 | $3,916 00 | $395 00 | $1,242 00 | $9,221,457 00 | $9,227,177 00 | ||||
| 1855 | 2,370 | 3,750 00 | 7,620 00 | 13,100 00 | $350 00 | 25,025,896 11 | $1,600 | 25,054,686 11 | ||
| Total | 2,537 | 7,666 00 | 8,015 00 | 14,342 00 | 350 00 | 34,247,353 11 | 1,600 | 34,281,863 11 |
| Mints. | Virginia. | North Carolina. | South Carolina. | Georgia. | Tennessee. | Alabama. | New Mexico. | California. | Various sources. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $1,455,673 50 | $4,380,658 00 | $526,947 00 | $2,366,341 50 | $35,568 | $54,944 00 | $45,937 | $224,833,820 63 | $54,990 | $233,754,879 63 |
| San Francisco | 31,702,718 43 | 31,702,718 43 | ||||||||
| New Orleans | 741 00 | 16,217 00 | 39,681 00 | 2,719 | 77,282 00 | 21,193,779 24 | 7,290 | 21,337,709 24 | ||
| Charlotte | 3,800,458 03 | 366,695 17 | 71,083 66 | 4,238,236 86 | ||||||
| Dahlonega | 92,629 82 | 236,431 27 | 4,068,568 36 | 41,906 | 59,629 92 | 1,186,747 70 | 951 | 5,686,864 07 | ||
| Assay office, N.Y. | 2,537 00 | 7,666 00 | 8,015 00 | 14,342 00 | 350 00 | 34,247,353 11 | 1,600 | 34,281,863 11 | ||
| Total | 1,458,210 50 | 8,282,152 85 | 1,154,305 44 | 6,488,932 86 | 80,193 | 192,205 92 | 45,937 | 313,235,502 77 | 64,831 | 331,002,271 34 |
| Deduct re-deposites of 1854 | 8,041,137 00 | |||||||||
| Actual amount of domestic gold deposited at the mint, branches, and the New York assay office, to December 31, 1855 | 322,961,134 34 | |||||||||
Statement of the amount of silver coined at the Mint of the United States, and the branch mints at San Francisco and New Orleans, under the act of February 21, 1853.
| Year. | Mint U. States Philadelphia. |
Branch mint, San Francisco. |
Branch mint, New Orleans. |
Total. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1853 | $7,517,161 | $1,137,000 | $8,654,161 | |
| 1854 | 5,373,270 | 3,246,000 | 8,619,270 | |
| 1855 | 1,419,170 | $164,075 | 1,918,000 | 3,501,245 |
| Total | 14,309,601 | 164,075 | 6,301,000 | 20,774,676 |
Statement of the amount of silver of domestic production, including silver parted from California gold, deposited at the Mint of the United States, its branches, and the assay office, New York, from January 1, 1841, to December 31, 1855.
| Year. | Value. |
|---|---|
| 1841 | $4,300 |
| 1842 | 6,453 |
| 1843 | 8,640 |
| 1844 | 30,847 |
| 1845 | 4,769 |
| 1846 | 3,066 |
| 1847 | 6,407 |
| 1848 | 6,191 |
| 1849 | 39,112 |
| 1850 | 269,253 |
| 1851 | 389,471 |
| 1852 | 404,494 |
| 1853 | 417,279 |
| 1854 | 328,199 |
| 1855 | 333,053 |
| Total | 2,251,534 |
A descriptive list of the dies of medals, commemmorative of national events, preserved in the Mint of the United States, arranged in chronological order.
OCCASION.-For the destruction of the Indian village of Kittanning
by the troops under his command, the government of Philadelphia
awarded a silver medal to General John Armstrong, of Carlisle, Pa.
OBVERSE.-Device.-An officer, accompanied by two of his men, is
represented pointing to a soldier firing under cover of a tree, with an
lndian prostrate before him. In the back ground the Indian wigwams
are seen in flames.
Legend.-Kittanning destroyed by Col. Armstrong, September 8, 1756.
REVERSE.-Device.-The coat of arms of the corporation of
Philadelphia, consisting of four devices, viz: on the right, a ship represented
under full sail on the left, an evenly balanced pair of scales
above the ship, a sheaf of wheat and to the left, two hands joined.
Legend.-The gift of the corporation of the city of Philadelphia.
NOTE.-Silver medals were awarded also to each of the
commissioned officers under General Armstrong,
OCCASION.-Medals of silver were presented to the Indians by an
association formed for the purpose of promoting peace with the Indian
tribes, and composed chiefly of members of the religious society of
Friends.
OBVERSE.-Device.-A head, in profile, of King George II.
Legend.-Georgius II. Dei Gratia.
REVERSE.-Device.-A white man and an Indian - from whom, as
usual on such occasions, he is separated by a fire - seated beneath a
tree; the former in the act of presenting to his companion the calumet
of peace which he has been smoking. The sun is represented at the
zenith.
Legend.-Let us look to the Most High, who blessed our fathers with
peace.
OCCASION.-The surrender, at Saratoga, of Lieutenant General
Burgoyne and his army, October 17, 1777. A medal of gold was
presented to General Gates, by resolution of Congress of November 4,
1779.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Head of General Gates, the recipient, in
profile.
Legend.-Horatio Gates duci strenuo.
Exergue.-Comitia Americana.
REVERSE.-Device.-General Burgoyne, in front of his troops, who,
are grounding their arms and laying down their colors, is represented
in the act of surrendering his sword to General Gates, at the head of
the American line, with their arms shouldered and their colors
advanced. To the side of the commanders are a drum and colors.
Legend.-Salus regionum seplentrional.
Exergue.-Haste ad Saratogum indedition accepto. Die XVII
Oct., MDCCLXXVII.
OCCASION.-By resolution of Congress of September 24, 1779, a gold
medal was directed to be presented to Major (afterwards General) Lee,
for his attack upon a body of British troops and the fort at Paulus
Hook, N. J., in 1779.
OBVERSE.-Device.-The bust of Major Lee.
Legend.-Henrico Lee, legionis Equit. Præfecto.
Exergue.-Comitia Americana.
REVERSE.-(Not in the mint)-No device.
Legend.-Non obstantib. fluminibus, vallis, astutia etvirtute bellica,
parva manu hostes vicit victosq. armis humanitate devinxit. In mem.
pugn. ad Paulus Hook, Die XIX Aug., MDCLXXIX.
[Engraver's error. The year was 1779.]
OCCASION.-Victory of the American arms at Cowpens, North Carolina.
By resolution of Congress of March 9, 1781, a gold medal was
ordered for presentation to General Morgan.
OBVERSE.-Device.-An Indian queen crowned, with a quiver upon
her back, is represented placing a laurel wreath upon the brow of an
officer, leaning upon his sword. Canons and various military
implements are heaped in the back ground.
Legend.-Danieli Morgan duci exercitus.
Exergue.-Comitia Americana.
REVERSE.-Device.-A mounted officer leading his troops, who carry
the American colors, in pursuit of a retreating enemy, bearing the
British flag. A combat between an unhorsed dragoon and an Indian
on foot is represented in front, and a general engagement in the back ground.
Legend.-Victoria libertatis vindex.
Exergue.-Jugatis, captis aut cæsis ad Cowpens hostibus XVII Jan.,
MDCCLXXXI.
OCCASION.-For the capture of the French frigate La Vengeance, of
52 guns, by the United States frigate Constellation, of 38 guns, a gold
medal was voted by resolution of Congress of March 24, 1800, to
Captain Thomas Truxton, commander of the Constellation.
OBVERSE.-Device.-The head of Captain Truxton.
No legend.
REVERSE.-Device.-A representation of the engagement between a
French frigate of two decks and an American frigate; both vessels
are much shattered and their rigging much cut.
No legend.
Exergue.-By vote of Congress to Thomas Truxton, 24 Mar., 1800.
OCCASION.-For the capture, on the 19th August, 1812, after an
engagement of thirty minutes, of the English frigate Guerriere, of 49
guns, Captain J. R. Dacres, by the United States frigate Constitution,
of 44 guns, commanded by Captain Isaac Hull, of Philadelphia, a gold
medal was decreed to Captain Hull, by resolution of Congress of
January 29, 1813.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of Captain Hull.
Legend.-Isaacus Hull peritos arte superat, Jul. MDCCCXII Aug.
certamine fortes.
REVERSE.-Device.-A representation of the contest between the
Constitution and Guerriere at the period when the attempt to board the
former frigate having been repulsed, her raking broadsides have
carried away the main and foremast of the Guerriere, which are falling.
The Constitution is but little injured.
Legend.-Horæ momento victoria.
Exergue.-Inter Const. Nav. Amer. et Guer. Angl.
NOTE.-Silver medals were awarded also to each of the commissioned
officers of the Constitution.
OCCASION.-The capture, on the 18th October, 1812, after an action
of 43 minutes, of the British sloop-of-war Frolic, of 22 guns,
commanded by Captain Whinyates, by the American sloop-of-war Wasp,
of 18 guns, under the command of Captain Jacob Jones, of Delaware,
to whom a gold medal was awarded by resolution of Congress of
January 29, 1813.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of Captain Jones.
Legend.-Jacobus Jones virtus in ardua tendit.
REVERSE.-Device.-A representation of the engagement between
the Wasp and the Frolic. The main topmast of the former has been
shot away, and as she is run across the course of the Frolic, her crew
are in the act of boarding the latter at her bow, and delivering a
broadside as she passes. The bowsprit of the Frolic has run between
the main and mizzen rigging of the Wasp.
Legend.- Victoriam hosti majori celerrime rapuit.
Exergue.-Inter Wasp Nav. Ameri. et Frolic Nav. Anq. Die XVIII
Oct., MDCCCXII.
NOTE.-Silver medals were also awarded to the commissioned officers
under Captain Jones.
OCCASION.-The capture, on the 25th October, 1812, of the English
frigate Macedonian, of forty-nine guns, Captain John S. Carden, by
the American frigate United States, Captain Stephen Decatur, of
Philadelphia, to whom Congress awarded a gold medal, by resolution
of January 29, 1813.
OBVERsE.-Device.-The bust of Stephen Decatur.
Legend.-Stephanus Decatur, navarchus pugnis pluribus, victor.
REVERSE.-Device.-Representing the engagement of the two
frigates. The topmasts of the Macedonian are shot away and her guns
silenced; the United States has but a few shots through her sails.
Legend.-Occidit signum hostile sidera surgunt.
Exergue.-Inter Sta. Uni. Nav. Amer. et Macedo. Nav. Ang. Die
XXV Octobris, MDCCCXII.
NOTE.-Silver medals were also awarded to each of the
commissioned officers under Captain Decatur.
OCCASION.-The capture, on the 29th December, 1812, after an
engagement of two hours and five minutes, of the British frigate Java, of
forty-nine guns, Captain Lambert, by the frigate Constitution, of
forty-four guns, Captain William Bainbridge, of Philadelphia, to
whom Congress awarded a gold medal, by resolution approved March
3, 1813.
OBVERSE.-Device.-The bust of Captain Bainbridge.
Legend.-Gulielmus Bainbridge, patria victisque laudatus.
REVERSE.-Device.-The Java is represented with all her masts shot
away; only the three stumps remain above deck. The Constitution,
on the other hand, has but a few rents in her sails.
Legend.-Pugnando.
Exergue.-Inter Const. Nav. Ameri. et Jav. Nav. Angl. Die XXIX
Decem., MDCCCXII.
NOTE.-Silver medals were also awarded to the commissioned officers
of the frigate Constitution.
OCCASION.-The capture, after an action of less than fifteen minutes,
on the 24th of February, 1813, of the British brig Peacock, of twenty
guns and two swivels, Captain William Peake, by the American
sloop-of-war Hornet, Captain James Lawrence, of New Jersey, who
was killed during the engagement, and to whose nearest male relative
a gold medal was decreed by resolution of Congress of January 11,
1814.
OBVERSE.-Device.-The bust of Captain Lawrence.
Legend.-Jac. Lawrence, Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.
REVERSE.-Device.-The Peacock with her mizen-mast shot away is
represented in the act of sinking, bow foremost; a boat from the Hornet
is being rowed towards her.
Legend.-Mansuetud. maj. quam victoria.
Exergue.-Inter Hornet Nav. Ameri. et Peacock Nav. Ang. Die
XXIV Feb., MDCCCXIII.
NOTE.-Silver medals were also presented by Congress to each of
the commissioned officers of the sloop Hornet.
OCCASION.-The capture, after an action of forty-five minutes, on the
4th of September, 1813, of the British sloop-of-war Boxer, of fourteen
guns, Captain Blythe, by the American brig Enterprise, of fourteen
guns, Lieutenant Burrows, of Philadelphia, whose nearest male relative
was awarded a gold medal by resolution of Congress of January
6, 1814.
OBVERSE.-Device.-An urn placed upon a tomb, surrounded by
various military emblems, and a wreath hanging from a trident. The
pedestal bears the inscription W. Burrows.
Legend.-Victoriam tibi claram, patriæ mæstam.
REVERSE.-Device.-A view of the action between the Enterprise
and Boxer, in sight of the coast; the latter, upon the larboard side of
the Enterprise, has her guns silenced and her main-topmast shot away.
Legend.-Vivere sat vincere.
Exergue.-Inter Enterprize Nav. Ameri. et Boxer Nav. Brit. Die IV
Sept., MDCCCXIII.
OCCASION.-The capture of the British sloop-of-war Boxer, as above.
Gold medal awarded by resolution of Congress of January 6, 1814, to
Lieutenant Edward R. McCall, of South Carolina. the second in
command of the American brig Enterprize during the engagement.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of Lieutenant McCall.
Legend.-Edward B. McCall, navis enterprize præfectus.
Exergue.-Sic itur ad astra.
REVERSE.-Device, legend, and exergue, same as those on the
preceding medal to Lieutenant Burrows.
NOTE.-Silver medals were also awarded by Congress to the
commissioned officers under Lieutenant Burrows.
OCCASION.-By resolution of Congress of February 13, 1835, a gold
medal was presented to Colonel George Croghan, commander of Fort
Stephenson, on Sandusky bay, and its garrison of one hundred and
sixty men, for his gallant defence of that fort, on the 2d of August,
1813, against the attack of a very much superior force of five hundred
British regulars and eight hundred Indians, commanded by
General Proctor.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of Colonel Croghan.
Legend.-Presented by Congress to Colonel George Croghan.
Exergue.-1835.
REVERSE.-Device.-The American Fort Stephenson, at Sandusky,
is represented with the men under arms within. A fire has been
opened upon the English and the Indian line, which is seen in the right
fore ground advancing to the attack upon the fort. Three vessels upon
the bay in the back ground.
Legend.-Pars magna fuit.
Exergue.-Sandusky, 2d August, 1813.
was awarded by resolution of Congress,
OCCASION.-A gold medal was awarded by resolution of Congress,
of January 6, 1814, to Captain Perry, commander of the American
fleet composed of three brigs, five schooners, and one sloop, carrying
fifty-four guns and two swivels, for a signal defeat of the British
squadron composed of two ships, one brig, two schooners, and one
sloop, carrying sixty-three guns, (three on pivots) two howitzers, and
two swivels, obtained upon Lake Erie, September 10, 1813.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of Captain Perry.
Legend.-Oliverus H. Perry, princeps stagno Eriense - classim totam
contudit.
REVERSE.-Device.-The American and British fleets closely engaged
on Lake Erie.
Legend.-Viam invenit virtus aut facit.
Exergue.-Inter class, Ameri. et Brit. die X Sept., MDCCCXIII.
NOTE.-Congress also awarded medals of silver to each of the
commissioned officers (whether of the army or navy) engaged in the action
on Lake Erie, and one to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant
John Brooks of the marine corps, who was killed during the engagement.
OCCASION.-The second gold medal struck in commemoration of the
victory over the British squadron on Lake Erie was awarded by
resolution of Congress of January 6, 1814, to Captain Jesse Duncan
Elliott, of Baltimore, the second in command of the American fleet
during that contest.
REVERSE.-Device.-Bust of Captain Elliott.
Legend.-Jesse, D. Elliott, nil actum reputans si quid superesset agendum.
REVERSE.-Device, legend and exergue same as of the medal presented
by Congress to Captain Perry.
OCCASION.-The third gold medal struck in honor of the victory on
Lake Erie was presented by the legislature of the State of Pennsylvania,
by vote of January 31, 1814, to Captain Perry.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of Captain Perry.
Legend.-Oliverus Hazard Perry, pro patria vicit.
Exergue.-Presented by the government of Pennsylvania.
REVERSE.-Device.-Representation of an engagement between two
fleets of small vessels. His flag ship the Lawrence having been
disabled during the action, Captain Perry is seen erect in a boat passing
to the Niagara, to which vessel he is about shifting his flag, and upon
the truck of which an eagle is about to perch with the American colors
in its talons, and bearing in its beak the inscription, VICTORY!
Legend.-"We have met the enemy and they are ours."
Exergue.-British fleet on Lake Erie, captured September 10, 1813.
OCCASION.-Medals, commemorative of the victory on Lake Erie,
were struck by order of the State of Pennsylvania, for presentation to
those of her citizens who volunteered on board of the American squadron
on that occasion.
OBVERSE.-Device and legend same as of the preceding medal to
Captain Perry.
REVERSE.-Device.-"To______" (a blank being left for the
insertion of the name of the recipient,) enclosed by a wreath of laurel.
Legend.-"We have met the enemy and they are ours." - Perry.
Exergue.-In testimony of his patriotism and bravery in the naval
action on Lake Erie, September 10, 1813.
NOTE.-The State of Pennsylvania presented gold medals also to
Captain Elliott and Lieutenant John J. Yarnell, for their bravery
during the engagement upon Lake Erie.
OCCASION.-By resolution of Congress of April 4, 1818, a gold medal
was directed to be struck for General W. H. Harrison, for his victory
over the combined English and Indian forces at the battle of the
Thames, on the 5th of October, 1813.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of General Harrison.
Legend.-Major General William H. Harrison.
REVERSE.-Device.-A female is represented placing a wreath of
laurel upon bayonets fixed upon a musket, and with a staff of colors
and another musket is stacked above a drum, cannon, quiver of arrows
and box. With her right hand she holds a halbert and rests upon an
American shield. From the point of the stacked muskets and staff
hangs a badge bearing the inscription Fort Meigs, Battle of
Thames.
Legend.-Resolution of Congress, April 4, 1818.
Exergue.-Battle of the Thames, October 5, 1813
OCCASION.-The second gold medal commemorative of the battle of
the Thames was voted by Congress, by resolution of April 4, 1818,
to Governor Isaac Shelby.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of Governor Shelby.
Legend.-Governor Isaac Shelby.
REVERSE.-Device.-The battle of the Thames. The Indian force is
drawn up upon the edge of the wood in the right back ground. On
the left back ground the American force has broken the Indian line
and on the left fore ground a body of American infantry are seen
advancing to the attack. In the fore ground, on the right, Governor
Shelby is charging upon the enemy at the head of his mounted
rangers, and in the centre, on the open space between the opposing
columns, the principal event of the battle is represented - the death of
the Indian chief Tecumseh, at the hands of Colonel Johnson.
Legend.-Battle of the Thames, October 5, 1813.
Exergue.-Resolution of Congress, April 4, 1818.
OCCASION.-By resolution of Congress of October 21, 1814, a gold
medal was awarded to Captain Lewis Warrington, of Virginia,
commander of the American sloop-of-war Peacock, of 18 guns, for the
capture, on the 29th of March, 1814, after a contest of forty-two
minutes, of the English brig-of-war L'Epervie, of 18 guns, Captain
Wales.
0BVERSE.-Device.-Bust of Captain Warrington.
Legend.-Ludovicus Warrington, dux navalis Ameri.
REVERSE.-Device.-The engagement between the two vessels; the
L'Epervie with her guns silenced and her topmast shot away.
Legend.-Pro patria paratus a at vincere aut mori.
Exergue.-Inter Peacock Nav. Ameri. et
Epervie Nav. Ang. Die
XXIX Mar., MDCCCXIV.
OCCASION.-For the capture, on the 28th of June, 1814, after an
engagement of upwards of two hours, of the English sloop-of-war
Reindeer, of 19 guns, Captain Manners, by the American sloop-of-war
Wasp, of 18 guns, Captain Blakely, of North Carolina, a gold medal
was awarded by Congress to Captain Blakely, by resolution of November
3, 1814.
OBVERSE.-Device.-The bust of Captain Blakely.
Legend.-Johnson Blakely, Relp. fæd. Am. Nav. Wasp dux.
REVERSE.-Device.-Representing the engagement between the Wasp
and Reindeer; the guns of the latter vessel have been silenced, and
her colors pulled down in token of defeat.
Legend.-Eheu! bis victor patria tua te luget plauditq.
Exergue.-Inter Wasp Nav. Ameri. et Reindeer Nav. Ang. Die
XXVIII Junius, MDCCCXIV.
NOTE.-Silver medals were awarded also by Congress to each of the
commissioned officers serving under Captain Blakely during the
engagement.
OCCASION.-For the victory achieved upon Lake Champlain on the
11th September, 1814, over the British fleet, composed of one frigate,
one brig, two sloops, and thirteen galleys, carrying 95 guns, under
Captain Downie, by the American squadron, under Captain Thomas
Macdonough, composed of four vessels and ten galleys, and carrying
86 guns, a gold medal was awarded to Captain Macdonough by
resolution of Congress, approved October 20, 1814.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of Captain Macdonough.
Legend.-Tho. Macdonough Stagno Champlain clas. reg. Brit. superavit.
REVERSE.-Device.-Representing the engagement between the
American and English fleets; several boats rowed by sailors are upon the
lake; to the left Plattsburg is seen in flames.
Legend.-Uno latere percusso alterum impavide vertit.
Exergue.-Inter Class. Ameri. N. Brit. Die XI Sept. MDCCCXIIII.
OCCASION.-The second gold medal commemorative of the victory on
Lake Champlain was awarded, by resolution of Congress of October
20, 1814, to Captain Robert Henley, of the American ship Eagle, the
second in command of the American fleet during that engagement.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of Captain Henley.
Legend.-Robt. Henley Eagle Præfect-palma vi?-tu peræternit florebit.
REVERSE.-Device, legend, and exergue the same as upon the
preceding medal to Captain Macdonough.
OCCASION.-The third gold medal commemorative of the American
victory over the British fleet upon Lake Champlain was awarded, by
resolution of Congress of October 20, 1814, to Lieutenant Stephen
Cassin, in command of the American ship Ticonderoga during that
contest.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of Lieutenant Cassin.
Legend.-Step. Cassin Ticonderoga præfect quæ regio in terris nos,
non plena lab.
REVERSE.-Device. legend, and exergue the same as upon the two
preceding medals to Captains Macdonough and Henley.
NOTE.-Silver medals were decreed, also, by Congress to the
commissioned officers of the American fleet, to the officers of the army
serving in it during the contest, and to the nearest male relative of
Lieutenants Gamble and Stansbury, killed in the action.
OCCASION.-By resolution of Congress of November 3, 1814, a gold
medal was directed to be struck for presentation to General Winfield
Scott, in commemoration of the victories obtained by the forces under
him over the British troops at the battles of Chippewa and Niagara,
July 5 and 25, 1814.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of General Scott.
Legend.-Major General Winfield Scott.
REVERSE.-An inscription enclosed by a circle formed of a serpent,
entwined by laurel and palm, viz: Resolution of Congress November
3, 1814. Battles of Chippewa, July 5, 1814, Niagara, July 25 1814.
OCCASION.-By the resolution of Congress of November 3, 1814, a
gold medal was awarded to General Gaines for his gallant defence of
Fort Erie on the occasion of its attack by the British force under
General Drummond, August 15, 1814.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of General Gaines.
Legend.-Major General Edmund P. Gaines.
REVERSE.-Device.-Victory standing upon a shield lying on a sword,
musket, halbert, and ball, a palm branch in her left hand, is placing
with her right a laurel wreath upon the cascabel of a cannon fixed
upright in the ground, with a scroll running round it bearing the
inscription - ERIE. Against one of its trunnions rests the British colors,
and from the other hangs a sword, and leaning upon it a halbert. On
the ground to the right of the cannon are a howitzer, hemlet, and
balls.
Legend.-Resolution of Congress, November 3, 1814.
Exergue.-Battle of Erie, August 15, 1814.
OCCASION.-A third gold medal, commemorative of the victories
obtained over the British forces at Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie, was
presented by resolution of Congress of November 3, 1814, to General
P. B. Porter.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of General Porter.
Legend.-Major General Peter B. Porter.
REVERSE.-Device.-Victory, standing, bears in her right hand a
laurel wreath and palm branch, and in her left she holds out three
flags inscribed, severally, Erie, Chippewa, Niagara; the Muse of
History, seated before her, is recording the three victories at these
places.
Legend.-Resolution of Congress, November 3, 1814.
Exergue.-Battles of Chippewa, July 5, 1814; Niagara, July 25,
1814; Erie, September 17, 1814.
OCCASION.-The fourth gold medal struck in honor of the victories
obtained by the American arms at Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie, was
decreed by the resolution of Congress of November 3, 1814, to General
Jacob Brown.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of General Brown.
Legend.-Major General Jacob Brown.
REVERSE.-Device.-The Roman fasces, indicative of the union of
the States and the strength of the confederacy, surrounded, upon both
sides, by stands of British colors, swords, muskets, and other military
emblems. From the top of the fasces hangs a wreath of laurel, from
which three tablets are suspended, bearing, respectively, the inscriptions,
Niagara, Erie, Chippewa; and at its base, in front, the American
eagle is standing upon the British flag.
Legend.-Resolution of Congress, November 3, 1814.
Exergue.-Battles of Chippewa, July 5, 1814; Niagara, July 25,
1814; Erie, September 17, 1814.
OCCASION.-The fifth gold medal commemorative of the victories
achieved over the British forces at Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie, was
awarded by Congress, under its resolution of November 3, 1814, to
General Miller.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of General Miller.
Legend.-Brigadier General James Miller.
Exergue.-Ill try.
REVERSE.-Device.-The English forces are represented as drawn
up upon the brow of a hill, where the advance of the American line
is charging upon them, and General Miller is leading on his column
to obtain possession of the battery which was so destructive to the
American line. On the plain below, in the left back ground, the
American camp is seen with the reserve corps in position. On the
right and left foreground American troops are advancing to the attack
of the British line upon the hill. In front is an artillery truck drawn
by four horses, with artillery men riding.
Legend.-Resolution of Congress, November 3, 1814.
Exergue.-Battles of Chippewa, July 5, 1814; Niagara, July 25,
1814; Erie, September 17, 1814.
OCCASION.-The sixth gold medal presented under the resolution of
Congress of November 3, 1814, to the several generals of the American
forces present at the battles of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie, was
awarded to General Ripley.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of General Ripley.
Legend.-Brigadier General Eleazer W. Ripley.
REVERSE.-Device.-Fame is represented hanging upon the branches
of a palm tree a tablet bearing the inscriptions Chippewa, Niagara,
Erie. In her right hand she carries a wreath of laurel, and bears her
trumpet.
Legend.-Resolution of Congress, November 3, 1814.
Exergue.-Battles of Chippewa, July 5, 1814; Niagara, July 25,
1814; Erie, August 15, September 17, 1814.
OCCASION.-By resolution of Congress of November 3, 1814, a gold
medal was awarded to General Macomb, for his gallant conduct at the
battle of Plattsburg, on the occasion of its attack by the English
army, September 11, 1814.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of General Macomb.
Legend.-Major General Alexander Macomb.
REVERSE.-Device.-A representation of the battle of Plattsburg.
In the left back ground vessels-of-war are shown upon the lake, in
action, smaller craft are sailing about, and beyond, in the right back
ground, mountains are visible. On the left fore ground the American
line is seen in position, repulsing the British forces, which are
advancing across the bridge from Plattsburg, in view to the left in
flames.
Legend.-Resolution of Congress, November 3, 1814.
Exergue.-Battle of Plattsburg, September 11, 1814.
OCCASION.-A gold medal was awarded to General Jackson, by
resolution of Congress of February 27, 1815, for his brave and successful
repulse of the English troops, under General Sir Edward Packenham,
in their attack upon New Orleans, January 8, 1815.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of General Jackson.
Legend.-Major General Andrew Jackson.
REVERSE.-Device.-Victory is represented seated, sustaining with
her left hand, in which she holds a laurel wreath, and from which a
palm branch has fallen, a tablet upon which she is about to note the
victory of the 8th of January, 1815, heading the record with the name
Orleans. She is interrupted by Peace, bearing an olive branch in her
right hand, and touching the tablet with her left, who is directing
her to register the termination of the war between the United States
and Great Britain, and the consummation of peace consequent thereupon.
Legend.-Resolution of Congress, February 27, 1815.
Exergue.-Battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1815.
OCCASION.-For the capture of the 20th of February, 1815, after an
action of less than half an hour, of the British vessels-of-war the
Cyane, of 34 guns, Captain Gordon Falcon, and the Levant, of 21
guns, Captain George Douglass, a gold medal was awarded to Captain
Charles Stewart, of Philadelphia, commander of the American frigate
Constitution, by resolution of Congress of February 22, 1816.
OBVERSE.-Device.-The bust of-Captain Stewart.
Legend.-Carolus Stewart Navis Amer., Constitution dux.
REVERSE.-Device.-Representation of the engagement between the
Constitution and the Cyane and Levant. The two latter occupy
respectively the right and left fore ground, and in the centre of the back
ground between them is the Constitution.
Legend.-Unâ victoriam eripuit ratibus binis.
Exergue.-Inter Constitu. Nav. Ameri. et Levant et Cyane Nav.
Ang, Die XX. Febr., MDCCCXV.
NOTE.-Silver medals were awarded also to each of the commissioned
officers serving during the action on board of the Constitution.
OCCASION.-A gold medal was awarded by the resolution of
Congress of February 22, 1816, to Captain James Biddle, of Philadelphia,
commander of the United States sloop-of-war Hornet of 18 guns, for
the capture, after an engagement of twenty-two minutes, of the
British sloop-of-war Penguin of 19 guns, Captain Dickinson, on the 23d
of March, 1815.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of Captain Biddle.
Legend.-The Congress of the United States to Captain James
Biddle, for his gallantry, good conduct and services.
REVERSE.-Device.-Representing the engagement between the
Hornet and the Penguin, in sight of the peak of Tristan d'Acunha; the
Penguin is very much injured in her upper rigging, her guns are
silenced, and her colors trailing in the water over her stern.
Legend.-Capture of the British ship Penguin, by the United States
ship Hornet.
Exergue.-Off Tristan d'Acunha, March XXIII, MDCCCXV.
NOTE.-Silver medals
were presented also to each of the commissioned
officers under Captain Biddle.
OCCASION.-A gold medal was awarded by resolution of Congress of
July 16, 1846, to General Taylor, for the victories obtained by the
troops under his command over the Mexican forces in the battles
fought at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of General Taylor.
Legend.-Major General Zachary Taylor.
REVERSE.-Device.-A circle formed by a serpent, entwined by laurel
and palm, within which is the -
Legend.-Resolution of Congress, July 16th, 1846. Palo Alto, May
8th, 1846. Resaca de la Palma, May 9th, 1846.
OCCASION.-A second medal of gold was awarded to General Taylor,
by resolution of Congress of March 2, 1847, for his brilliant victory
over the Mexican army at Monterey, and the successful storming of
that city by his forces.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of General Taylor.
Legend.-Major General Zachary Taylor.
REVERSE.-Device.-A wreath formed of two oak branches within
which is the-
Legend.-Resolution of Congress, March 2d, 1847. Monterey,
September, 1846.
OCCASION.-At the suggestion of Professor Bache, Superintendent
of the United States Coast Survey, medals of silver were struck, under
the authority of the Treasury Department, for presentation to the
surviving officers and crew of the coast survey brig Washington,
commemorative of the loss of Lieutenant George M. Bache, United States
navy, commander, and ten of the crew of that brig, who perished
while in the performance of their duties, in a hurricane encountered
off the coast of North Carolina, on the 8th of September, 1846. The
then Secretary of the Treasury, in communicating with the Secretary
of the Navy upon the subject, said: "I concur in opinion with the
superintendent of the coast survey in regard to the conduct of
Lieutenant Commanding George M. Bache on that melancholy occasion.
He did all that nautical skill, coolness, and courage could accomplish,
and it is certain that the safety of the vessel, and of the surviving
officers and crew, is due, under Providence, to the last order which he
gave, and which was in process of execution when he was swept by
the sea from the deck of the vessel. He perished in the discharge of
his duty, and his last act, which placed him in a position that occasioned
his loss, secured the safety of the vessel and that of the
surviving officers and crew."
OBVERSE.-No Device.
Legend.-The Treasury
Deapartment of the United States, Coast Survey
to ________, (a blank for the name of the recipient.)
REVERSE.-No device.
Legend, surrounded by a wreath formed of laurel branches. - For
gallantry and humanity, Dec., 1846.
OCCASION.-By resolution of Congress of March 3, 1847, gold and
silver medals were directed to be prepared and presented to the officers
and men belonging or attached to the French, British, and Spanish
ships-of-war in the harbor of Vera Cruz, who so gallantly, and at the
imminent peril of their lives, aided in rescuing from a watery grave
many of the officers and crew of the United States brig Somers, which
was capsized and sunk in ten minutes, during a heavy gust in the
Gulf of Mexico, on the 10th of December, 1846. Of the seventy-six
persons composing the crew of the Somers thirty-nine were lost,
including two officers, the acting sailing-master, and a passed midshipman.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Representing the United States brig Somers,
when struck by the heavy gust in the Gulf of Mexico. The brig has
been capsized, and the waves are dashing over her side.
Legend.-Somers Navis Americana.
Exergue.-Ante Vera Cruz, Dec. 10th, 1846.
REVERSE.-Device.-The brig Somers represented in the gust during
which she was lost, in the Gulf of Mexico, off the harbor of Vera
Cruz. In the foreground, three boats carrying respectively the
English, French, and Spanish colors, are pulling to her assistance.
Legend.-Pro vitis Americanorum conservatis.
OCCASION.-A third gold medal was presented to General Taylor,
under the resolution of Congress of May 9, 1848, for the victory
obtained by the American force under his command over the Mexican
army of much superior strength, on the 22d and 23d of February,
1847, at Buena Vista.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Head of General Taylor, about which is a
wreath of oak and laurel branches.
Legend.-Major General Zachary Taylor.
Exergue.-Resolution of Congress, May 9, 1848.
REVERSE.-Device.-A circle formed by two snakes - one of them a
rattlesnake - encloses a representation of the battle of Buena Vista.
The distant back ground is skirted by a chain of mountains; on the
left, the Mexican force is drawn up, and a party of Americans are
advancing to attack them. From the right back ground, a body of
Mexican lance is approaching. In the left fore ground a breastwork has
been thrown up, from behind which a fire is kept up upon the Mexican
line. On an elevation in the right foreground, General Taylor is seen
mounted, with his staff about him, and to his right the American
reserve corps in position.
Legend.-Buena Vista, Feb. 22 and 23, 1847.
OCCASION.-By resolution of Congress of March 9, 1848, a gold
medal was awarded to General Scott for the several victories of the
American army, under his command, obtained over the Mexican troops
during the war between the United States and the republic of Mexico.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of General Scott, at each side of which are
fifteen stars, representing the thirty States then composing the
confederacy.
Legend.-Major General Winfield Scott.
Exergue.-Resolution of Congress, March 9, 1848.
REVERSE.-Device.-Representations of the several engagements
during the Mexican campaign at which General Scott commanded,
each one enclosed by a wreath formed of laurel and oak branches, with
the names of the several localities at which the battles occurred. The
centre is occupied by the view of the taking of the city of Mexico, and
is surrounded by others of the actions at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo,
Contreras, San Antonio, Churubusco, Molino del Rey, Chapultepec.
OCCASION.-A second gold medal was voted to General Scott by the
State of Virginia, for his brave and gallant conduct while in command
of the American troops in the war with Mexico.
OBVERSE.-Device.-A bust of General Scott, resting upon a branch
of laurel and of oak, is placed upon a pedestal, supported upon each
side by an eagle, behind which, projecting at either side, are several
colors and various other military emblems. The pedestal bears the-
Legend.-The commonwealth of Virginia presents this medal to Major
General Winfield Scott, as a memorial of her admiration for the great
and distinguished services of her son while commander-in-chief of the
American armies in the war with Mexico, 1847.
REVERSE.-Device.-A column upon two stands of colors, entwined
by a branch of laurel. A wreath formed of oak branches encloses the
designs and inscriptions, and is held at the bottom by a shield bearing
the coat-of-arms of the State of Virginia. Upon the top of the column
an eagle, with outstretched wings and carrying a twig of laurel in its
beak, has alighted. The cap of the column bears the date 1848, and
just below is the word Mexico. The leaves of the laurel branch
surrounding the column bear the names of the several battles during the
campaign at which the recipient commanded, viz: Chapultepec, Del
Rey, Churubusco, Cerro Gordo, Vera Cruz; and upon the base of the
column is the date 1812. On the right back ground a party are
bombarding before the walls of a town, to the left another party are
storming a fort upon the brow of a hill; on the left back ground troops
are advancing upon a fort, and to their left a besieging party are
about opening fire upon a city before them.
Legend.-Fecit quod cogitavit.
Exergue.-From Virginia.
OCCASION.-Martin Koszta, one of the Hungarian refugees, and
formerly of the suite of Kossuth, was suddenly seized in a café at Smyrna,
by the Austrian authorities, in the latter part of June, 1853, and was
placed on board of the Austrian brig-of-war Hussar, orders being
issued by the Austrian consul, on the 29th, that he should be carried
away. On the 28th Captain Ingraham, of the United States sloop-of-war
St. Louis, having learned that Koszta had taken the preliminary
steps to secure his naturalization in the United States, and that he
was furnished with an American passport, entered his protest against
the orders of the Austrian consul until the facts of the case could be
fully ascertained, and on the next day brought the guns of his vessel
to bear upon the Austrian brig in which Koszta was confined. Having
obtained a delay until the 2d July, on that day Captain Ingraham,
having learned from Mr. Brown, United States chargé at
Constantinople, that Koszta was entitled to American protection, went on
board of the Austrian brig, accompanied by the Austrian consul. In
his interview with Koszta the latter claimed to be an American citizen
and demanded the protection of such, which Captain Ingraham
promised he should have, and subsequently notified the Austrian
authorities at Smyrna that Koszta must be released by four o'clock that
afternoon. Both vessels then cleared for action, and appearances
indicated that the difficulty would be decided by an appeal to arms.
Fortunately, however, by an arrangement made between the Austrian
and American consuls, it was agreed that Koszta should be placed in
the custody of the French consul, who consented to become his custodian,
until his claim to protection should be decided by the two
governments. Eventually Koszta was released and returned to the United
States. He would, doubtless, have been immediately executed had
he been taken to Vienna. The spirited conduct of Captain Ingraham
on the occasion was endorsed by his government, and a gold medal
awarded to him by resolution of Congress of August 4, 1853.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Smyrna in the distance, surrounded by the
shipping, hills, and fortifications. The American sloop-of-war St.
Louis, and the Austrian brig-of-war Hussar, confronting each other,
are at anchor before the city.
No legend.
Exergue.-The inscription - Smyrna, American sloop-of-war St.
Louis; Austrian brig-of-war Hussar.
INVERSE.-Device.-Encircled by a wreath of branches of oak and
laurel, in bold relief, (within the lower part of which and beneath,
diverging columns of rays, and the thirty-one stars, representing the
States composing the American constellation, is seen the American
eagle, with wings expanded, and grasping in its talons an anchor,) is
the-
Legend.-Presented by the President of the United States to
Commander Duncan N. Ingraham, as a testimonial of the high sense
entertained by Congress of his gallant and judicious conduct on the 2d of July,
1853.
OCCASION.-The San Francisco, a new ship, left the port of New
York upon her first voyage on the 22d of December, 1853, under the
command of Captain Watkins, with the United States troops forming
companies A, B, D, G, H, I, K, and L, of the third regiment United
States artillery, amounting, with the non-commissioned staff and band,
to nearly 550 men. Including her passengers, officers, and crew, and
cabin and steerage waiters, she carried over 700 persons. When off
Charleston, on the 24th of December, she met with a northwest wind,
which soon increased to a gale. At 9 o'clock on the evening of the
25th December, she shipped a heavy sea amid ships, which washed
about one hundred and fifty of the troops overboard. The ship opened
in the seams, over the wales a large portion of the quarter deck was
stove in, and it was only by the greatest exertion that she was kept
afloat. In this deplorable state, the condition of those remaining was
rendered still more terrible by the outbreak, on the 27th of December,
of a disease resembling Asiatic cholera. The steerage passengers and
waiters broke into the provision-room and feasted at will, and broke
open and pillaged the trunks of the ladies while the raw recruits, in
imitation of their example, became also unmanageable. By this time
the ship had drifted northward and was nearly opposite to Boston, in
longitude sixty-one degrees. On board, all was confusion and
consternation. The barque Kilby, from New Orleans, Captain Low,
which, although herself suffering from lack of provisions, had
remained by and relieved the San Francisco of her lady passengers,
disappeared during the night of the 29th of December. On the 2d of
January following, (1854,) the Three Bells, Captain Creighton, of
Glasgow, appeared in sight and remained by the San Francisco,
rendering such assistance as was possible, receiving on board as many
of her passengers as she could carry, and taking her departure with
them, after remaining by the San Francisco all night. The Antarctic,
from New York, Captain Stouffer, which had overtaken the ship on
the 3d of January, rescued the remaining persons on board of the
San Francisco, about one hundred and forty soldiers, with some
officers, including Captain Watkins of the ill-fated ship, who was the
last to leave his vessel, and which, having been scuttled by his order,
went down soon after they left her. After the Kilby parted from the
steamer, on the night of the 29th of December, the passengers rescued
by her, together with her own officers and crew, suffered terribly from
hunger and thirst. Several times she approached the coast, but was
driven back by adverse winds. The first day a ship biscuit and a
small slice of bacon was allotted to each, but, on the second, the
biscuit was withheld from the males on board. A small quantity of corn
on board, partially wasted and served out by the handful, formed their
chief nourishment for fourteen days, with the daily allowance to each
passenger of a wine glass full of water. Fortunately, several rain
storms occurred, and once a fall of snow. Garments were spread to
catch the precious drops, and the famishing creatures devoured the
snow as it descended, and, but for this benefaction of the elements,
large numbers must have perished with thirst. To complete the
intensity of their sufferings, the crew threatened to mutiny. On the
morning of the 13th January, however, the Kilby was overtaken by
the Lucy Thompson, Captain Pendleton, of New York, who removed
all the passengers and crew from the barque, except four of the former
and twelve of the United States troops, who volunteered to assist the
captain to work the Kilby into Boston, where she arrived in due time.
The Lucy Thompson reached New York in safety, on the 14th of
January, (1854,) where the Three Bells bad preceded her on the previous
day, with the portion of the passengers rescued by her from the San
Francisco, the remainder of whose surviving passengers and crew
reached Liverpool in safety, on board the Antarctic. By this disaster
and extreme suffering from exposure and starvation nearly two
hundred persons perished. In testimony of the conduct of Captains Creighton,
Low, and Stouffer, the city of Philadelphia presented to each of
them a medal of gold.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Tbe coat of arms of the city of Philadelphia.
A shield supported on either side by two female figures, one holding
in her right hand a scroll, and in her left, above the shield, a pair of
evenly balanced scales, rests upon various agricultural products.
The shield bears upon its centre a plough upon a field of grain, and
below a ship is represented under full sail.
No legend.
REVERSE.-No Device.
Legend.-Testimonial to
Captains Creighton, Low, and Stouffer, of
the ships Three Bells, Kilby, and Antartic, from the corporation of the
City of Philadelphia, for their gallantry in rescuing the passengers from
the wreck of the steamer San Francisco, January, 1854.
A descriptive list of the medals struck in commemoration of national events, the dies of which are not in the mint.
OCCASION.-A silver medal commemorative of the settlement of
Pennsylvania by Penn and his followers. By what authority this
medal was struck is not known.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Head of William Penn.
Legend.- William Penn; born 1644, died 1718.
REVERSE.-Device.-Penn, the founder of the colony in Pennsylvania,
is represented standing, his walking cane in his left hand, and
with his right shaking hands with an Indian chief, who carries a bow
in his left hand.
Legend.-By deeds of Peace.
Exergue.-Pennsylvania settled 1681.
OCCASION.-By vote of Congress. of March 25, 1776, a gold medal
was ordered to be struck for General Washington, and a vote of thanks
also passed to him and the officers and troops under his command for
their wise and spirited conduct in the siege and acquisition of Boston.
OBVERSE,-Device.-Head of General Washington in profile.
Legend.-Georgio Washington supremo duci exercituum adsertori
libertatis.
Exergue.-Comitia Americana.
REVERSE.-Device.-In the back ground the British troops are
embarking from the city of Boston in vessels upon the bay. In the left
fore ground the American entrenchments opposite the city are seen,
with the troops drawn up under arms preparatory to marching into
the city. On an elevation in the right fore ground, overlooking the
American position, General Washington is mounted, with his staff,
to whom he is pointing out the embarking enemy.
Legend.-Hostibus primo fugatis.
Exergue.-Bostonium recuperatum XVII Martii, MDCCLXXVI.
NOTE.-The die for this medal was executed at Paris, and is now
deposited at the Mint Museum thereat.
OCCASION.-A medal, intended, most probably, to commemorate the
Declaration of Independence by the thirteen colonies from the British
yoke, and in honor of Benjamin Framklin, was struck more than fifty
years ago at the mint. The die for this medal is wanting to the
mint collection.
OBVERSE.-Device.-The bust of Franklin.
Legend.-Lightning averted - Tyranny repelled.
REVERSE.-Device.-An oak, at the root of which the American
beaver is gnawing, symbolical of the destruction of the authority and
supremacy of the mother country in the colonies.
No legend.
Exergue.-The date 1776.
OCCASION.-The battle between the American and British forces at
Germantown, near Philadelphia, during the war of the revolution.
OBVERSE.-Device.-A representation of the prominent
circumstance of the battle, viz: the taking, by the 49th British regiment
under Lieutenant Colonel Musgrave, of Mr. Chew's house, while the
body of the American line were pursuing the retreating British army.
Artillery playing upon a stone house from a distance. Fields at either
side and troops advancing between them.
REVERSE.-No device.
Legend.-Germantown, October 4, 1777.
OCCASION.-A silver medal was struck, (probably by the French
government,) commemorative of the consummation of the alliance
between the governments of France and the United States during the
war of the revolution.
OBVERSE.-Device.-A head of Liberty, with a staff on which is the
liberty cap over her right shoulder.
Legend.-Libertas Americana, 4 Juil., 1776.
REVERSE.-Device.-Pallas is holding in her left hand a shield with
the arms of France (three fleurs de lis) upon it. In her right she
holds a barbed javelin, which she is about to thrust into a leopard
springing against the shield, beneath which, an infant, representing
America, is seen strangling a serpent in each hand, and is stooping to
another lying at its feet.
Legend.-Non sine Diis animosus infans.
Exergue.-
| 17 | 1777. | |
| Oct: | ||
| 19 | 1781. |
OCCASION.-A gold medal was awarded to General Wayne, by resolution
of Congress of July 26, 1779, for the taking of Stony Point, on
the North river, by storm on the night of the 15th of July, 1779.
OBVERSE.-Device.-An Indian queen, crowned, wearing a short
apron of feathers, a quiver upon her back, and a mantle hanging
behind from the girdle of her apron, holds in her left hand a mural
crown towards General Wayne, to whom she is presenting with her
right a wreath of laurel. General Wayne, his chapeau in his right,
is receiving the wreath with his left hand. At the feet of the queen
is a bow and an alligator, resting upon which is a shield bearing the
American stripes.
Legend.-Antonio Wayne exercitus.
Exergue.-Comitia Americana.
REVERSE.-Device.-A fort, with the British flag flying, and having
two turrets, is shown upon the brow of a hill, up the sides of which
troops are advancing in Indian file. Vessels on the river, to the left of
the hill, towards which more troops are advancing along the edge of
the river. In the left fore ground a piece of artillery is so posted as to
beat upon the fort, and to the right a party of the American line are
seen marching towards the hill.
Legend.-Stony Point Expugnatum.
Exergue.-XV Jul., MDCCLXXIX.
OCCASION.-A second medal, (of silver,) commemorative of the
taking of Stony Point, was awarded by resolution of Congress of July
26, 1779, to Captain Stewart.
OBVERSE.-Device.-An Indian queen, personifying America, is
represented with quiver upon her back, and bow and an alligator at
her feet, presenting a palm branch to Captain Stewart. With her left
hand she sustains a shield resting upon the ground, and bearing the
American stripes.
Legend.-Johanni Stewart cohortis prætfecto.
Exergue.-Comitia Americana.
REVERSE.-Device.-A fort upon an eminence; troops advancing in
front and rear up the hill to storm it. An officer is leading his men,
with charged bayonets, over abatis in the fore ground, in pursuit of a
retreating enemy. Ships in sight upon the river, and troops
advancing along the shore.
No legend.
Exergue.-Stony point oppugnatum XV Jul., MDCCLXXIX.
OCCASION.-The third gold medal, struck under the resolution of
Congress of July 26, 1779, in honor of the taking of Stony Point
from the British, was of silver, and awarded to Colonel Fleury, for
his conduct during that engagement.
OBVERSE.-A soldier, helmeted, clothed, and armed after
the ancient Roman fashion, is standing among the ruins of a fort,
tramping upon a flag with his right foot, the staff of which he holds
in his left hand. In his right band, which is extended, he carries a
naked short sword.
Legend.- Virtutis et audaciæ minum et præmium.
Exergue.-D. De Fleury Equiti Gallo primo supermuras resp. Americ.
D. D.
REVERSE.-Device.-A fort with two turrets, and a flag flying upon
a hill overlooking the river below, upon which vessels are visible. At
the left base of the hill are two water batteries, one of which is being
discharged at a vessel upon the river.
Legend.-Aggeres paludes hostes victi.
Exergue.-Stony Pt. expugn. XV Jul., MDCCLXXIX.
OCCASION.-By resolution of Congress passed October 16, 1787, a
gold medal was awarded to Captain John Paul Jones, of the Bon
Homme Richard, of 34 guns, for the capture of the English frigate
Serapis, of 44 guns, Captain Pearson, after a very severe engagement
by moonlight, of four hours' duration, on the 23d of September, 1779.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of Captain Jones. (Believed to be a good
likeness.)
Legend.-Joanni Paulo Jones Classis Præfecto.
Exergue.-Comitia Americana.
REVERSE.-Device.-A representation of the engagement between
the Richard and the Serapis, which are grappled, yard arm and yard
arm. The Serapis is very much shattered in the side. The Countess
of Scarborough, of 22 guns, the consort of the Serapis, is lying across
her bows. Sailors are in the water clinging to floating spars.
Legend.-Hostium navvibus captis aut fugatis.
Exergue.-Ad oram Scotiæ XXIII Sept., MDCCLXXVIIII.
OCCASION.-Three silver medals were awarded by vote of Congress of
November 3d, 1780, to John Paulding, David Williams and Isaac
Van Wart, who intercepted Major John Andre in the character of a
spy, and notwithstanding the large bribes offered them for his release,
nobly disdaining to sacrifice their country for the sake of gold, secured
and conveyed him to the commanding officer of the district, whereby
the dangerous and traitorous conspiracy of Benedict Arnold was
brought lo light, the insidious designs of the enemy baffled, and the
United States rescued from impending danger. These medals, which
were of oblong shape, were presented to the recipients in the presence
of the whole American army, during the follow year, by General
Washington, together with a copy of the resolution of Congress,
awarding them a pension, to each $200 annually during life, and a vote
of thanks for their patriotic conduct.
OBVERSE.-Device.-A raised shield surrounded by branches of
laurel and palm.
Legend.-Fidelity.
REVERSE.-Device.-A wreath formed of palm branches enclosing a
blank for the insertion of the name of the recipient of the medal.
Legend.-Vincit Amor Patriæ.
OCCASION.-In honor of the brilliant victory obtained at Cowpens by
the American troops, over a much superior force of British regulars,
under Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton, a medal was struck as follows:
OBVERSE.-Device.-A mounted officer in front is leading a body of
American cavalry in pursuit of fleeing British troops. Victory, with
a palm branch in her left, and a wreath of laurel in her right hand,
is seen flying over the heads of the American soldiers.
Legend.-Gulielmo Washington legionis equit præfecto.
Exergue.-Comitia American.
REVERSE.-No device.
Legend.-(Enclosed by a wreath of laurel.) Quod parva militum
manu strenue prosecutus hostes virtutis ingenitæ præclarum specimen
dedit in pugna ad Cowpens, XVII Jan., MDCCLXXXI.
OCCASION.-By a resolution of Congress of March 9, 1781, a silver
medal was awarded to Lieutenant John Eager Howard, for his
intrepidity and skill at the battle of Cowpens.
OBVERSE.-Device.-A mounted officer is pursuing, and about to
strike down, with his uplifted sword, a retreating foot soldier bearing
a stand of colors. Victory, carrying a palm branch in her left hand,
is descending between them, and in front of the officer, over whose
head she holds a wreath of laurel in her right hand.
Legend.-Joh. Egar. Howard, legionis peditum præfecto.
Exergue.-Comitia Americana.
REVERSE.-No device.
Legend.-(Enclosed within a wreath of laurel.) Quod in nutantem
hostium aciem subito erruens præclarum bellic&ligare; virtutis specimen dedit
in pugna ad Cowpens, XVIII Jan., MDCCLXXXI.
OCCASION.-By resolution of Congress of October 29, 1781, a gold
medal was awarded to General Green, for his gallant conduct at the
battle of Eutaw Springs, South Carolina, September 8, 1781.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of General Green.
Legend.-Nathaniel Green egregio duci. Comitia Americana.
REVERSE.-Device.-Victory, bearing in her left hand a palm branch,
and holding in her upraised right a wreath of laurel, is in the act of
alighting upon the earth, stepping upon a broken shield, beneath and
about which another shield, broken arms, a laurel branch and colors
are lying.
Legend.-Salus regionum australium.
Exergue.-Hostibus ad Eutaw debellatis die VIII September
MDCCLXXXI.
OCCASION.-A medal was struck (by what authority does not appear)
commemorative of the recognition of Hon. John Adams as envoy
extraordinary to the Dutch government during the war of the
revolution.
OBVERSE.-Device.-An altar, with incense burning, over the front
of which is a caduceus between two cornucopiæ. Over it the goddess
Pallas, bearing in her left hand a lance, having upon it a hat of
Dutch fashion, is shaking hands with an Indian queen, personifying
America, under whose foot the head of a prostrate lion is pressed
down, and upon whose head she is about to place the hat. The sun
is shining above them.
Legend.-Libera Sorar.
Exergue.-Solemni Decr. agn. XIX April, MDCCLXXXII.
REVERSE.-Device.-The Rock of Independence, against which the
British unicorn has broken his horn, part of which is lying upon the
ground.
Legend.-Tyrannus virtute repulsa.
Exergue.-Sub Galliæ auspiciis.
OCCASION.-A medal was struck (by what authority is not known)
in honor of the treaty of friendship and commerce entered into
between the Dutch government and that of the United States.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Fame, bearing in her hand the shields of the
two nations, is proclaiming from the clouds through her trumpet
the consummation of the treaty of amity and intercourse between
the two governments. Underneath is the club of Hercules and the
British lion.
Legend.-Faustissimo Fædere functæ die VIII Oct., MDCCLXXXII.
REVERSE.-Device.-Against a pyramid is placed a group composed
of a battle-axe and shield, and on the top of which rests a crown.
From the base of the pyramid hangs a scroll, bearing the inscription
PRODROMUS. Mercury is crowning the group with the caduceus, which
he carries in his hand. A cock is standing upon an anchor stock.
Legend.-Justitian et non tempere divos.
Exergue.-S. P. Q. Amet. sacrum.
OCCASION.-A medal was struck at Paris (and in all probability by
the government of France, in compliment to Benjamin Franklin)
which would appear to be commemorative of American Independence
and the recognition of Franklin as United States envoy to the court
of France.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Head of Benjamin Franklin.
Legend.-Benjamin Franklin, kinist. Plen. des Etats Unis De
l'Ameriq., Sept., MDCCLXXXIII.
REVERSE.-Device.-Representing the construction of the temple of
liberty by the nine sisters, four of whom are laboring with chisels
upon a block of stone; three are at work upon the columns of the
edifice, and the remaining two are conversing.
Legend.--De leurs travaux naitre leur glorie.
OCCASION.-A medal was struck more than half a century since at
the mint, (by what authority is not stated,) which was intended
probably to commemorate the conclusion of the hostilities between the
mother country and her united colonies.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Busts of Washington and Franklin, side by
side.
No legend.
REVERSE.-The eagle of America, carrying a branch of olive in its
beak, and bearing lightning in its talons, is descending from the
clouds upon the United States.
No legend.
Exergue.-The date 1783.
OCCASION.-By resolution of Congress of March 3, 1805, a gold
medal was awarded to Commodore Preble, for his conduct in the
bombardment of Tripoli on the 3d of August, 1804.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of Commodore Preble.
Legend.-Edwardo Preble duci strenuo.
Exergue.-Comitia Americana.
REVERSE.-Device.-Representing the bombardment, by the American
fleet in the fore ground, of the forts and town of Tripoli in the
back ground. The American vessels are drawn up in line, and several
boats manned are seen in the water casting off to the attack of the
enemy's shipping and batteries.
Legend.-Vindici commercii Americani.
Exergue.-Ante Tripoli MDCCCIV.
OCCASION.-In the year 1849, the State of New York, by a vote of
its legislature, presented to Colonel Bliss a gold medal for his distinguished
services as an officer in the United States army, during the
Mexican campaign.
OBVERSE.-Device.-Bust of Colonel Bliss.
Legend.-Presented to Lieutenant Colonel Bliss of the United States
army for his gallant services in Mexico.
Exergue.-By the State of New York, 1849.
REVERSE.-Device.-The coat of arms of the State of New York.
A tablet (or shield) upon which the sun is represented rising from
behind hills, its rays reflected in the water, is supported upon the
right by Justice with her scales and sword, and upon the left by Liberty
sustaining a staff bearing the liberty cap. To the right of Justice
a vessel under full sail by a pier, and to the left of Liberty a steam
engine is crossing a bridge. Supported by a shield is a globe upon
the top of which is an eagle, and below the tablet is the motto of the
State, "Excelsior."
Legend.-Monterey, Buena Vista, Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma.
| Obverse. | Reverse. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Th. Jefrerson, President | U. S. A. | D. 1801. | Joined hands, | and tomahawk and pipe crossed. The words Peace and Friendship. |
| James Madison, | do | 1809. | Do | do |
| James Monroe, | do | 1817. | Do | do |
| John Quincy Adams, | do | 1825. | Do | do |
| Andrew Jackson, | do | 1829. | Do | do |
| Martin Van Buren, | do | 1837. | Do | and inscription March 4, A. D. 1837. |
| John Tyler, | do | 1841. | Do | and inscription April IV, MDCCCXLI. |
| James K. Polk, | do | 1845. | Do | and inscription March IV, MDCCCXLV. |
| Zachary Taylor, | do | 1849. | ||
| Millard Fillmore, |
do | 1850. | Do | and a husbandman leaning upon a plough, and an axe upright before him, in view of fields, confronting an Indian chief with whom he is conversing. The American flag waves across them both, and above it are the words Labor, Virtue, Honor. |
| Franklin Pierce, | do | 1853. | ||
Of the above medals there are three sizes.