LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Sept Long Beach Tokens & Medals Auction  / 

82179

1861 Copper Fort Sumter Medal

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:240.00 USD Estimated At:960.00 - 1,440.00 USD
1861 Copper Fort Sumter Medal
<B>1861 Maj. Robert Anderson Fort Sumter Medal.</B></I> Copper, 67 mm, 162.2 gm. This large copper medal, struck from the original dies, portrays the CSA naval bombardment of Fort Sumter, South Carolina, with date April 12 & 13 1861 below. On the reverse, the central inscription reads TO MAJ. ROBERT ANDERSON / U.S.A. / FROM THE CITIZENS OF / NEW YORK CITY, / AS A / SLIGHT TRIBUTE / TO HIS / PATRIOTISM. Although our Latin is rather rusty, the Latin motto above refers to prudence, fidelity, audacity, and rewards to the faithful.<BR> Anderson was the Union Army commander in charge of Fort Sumter when the bombardment started the Civil War. When Southern states began to secede from the Union, Anderson remained loyal to the Union cause. Anderson took the fort's 33-star flag with him to New York City, where he participated in a Union Square patriotic rally that is thought to have been the largest public gathering in North America up to that time. <BR>The production of copper medals was limited to 200 pieces, of which 82 were ordered in the two weeks following the shelling of the fort. However, it is unknown how many more pieces were sold afterward. Proceeds from the copper pieces were used to fund the gold medal personally awarded to Anderson.<BR> The glossy, reflective surfaces still retain essentially all of their original mint luster, although there are a few random dark streaks noted on each side that totally fail to diminish its appeal. Offerings of this rare medal are seldom seen, although a similar piece appeared in a Bowers and Merena 2001 sale (lot 5401). Even the noted collection of John J. Ford, Jr., lacked a specimen. This beautiful and large Civil War-era medal represents another fleeting moment in this historic sale, one unlikely to soon repeat.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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