1219

Lot 1219: 1854 Cmd. Duncan Ingraham Medal

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
Lot 1219: 1854 Cmd. Duncan Ingraham Medal
<b>Medals</b><hr><b>Impressive Original 'Ingraham' Naval Medal
One of Only Ten Original Medals Struck</b>

<b>1854 Commander Duncan Ingraham 'Rescue of Martin Koszta' Medal in Bronze, Choice Uncirculated.</b>
Julian NA-26, struck at the United States Mint at Philadelphia. 105 mm, a huge piece of mahogany-red bronze. Minor surface marks on the obverse, otherwise quite choice. This wonderful Naval Medal features two warships on the front: the American sloop 'St. Louis' and the Austrian brig of war 'Hussar.' Designed by S. Eastman and engraved by James Longacre (with the help of an assistant named Peter Cross). According to Julian, Longacre, who worked at the Mint, billed the Navy Department $2,200 for engraving the dies, claiming that the work was done on his off-time. However, the Treasury Department intervened and claimed the work was done on the MintÕs time, thereafter garnishing LongacreÕs wages until he paid back the full $2,200 plus interest. Only 10 Originals and 149 Restrikes were made of this medal, all from the same dies (the only way to tell them apart is by the color of the metal). The red-bronze color of this piece indicates to us that this may be one of the rare Originals!