It is a restrike, probably done around the 1860's. You can confirm/determine this by looking at the multiple areas of die rust on the wide rim of the reverse. Still a rare piece but not nearly as rare as an original.
1800 Thomas Truxtun USS Constellation vs La Vengeance medal. Bronze, 57 mm. Julian NA-2. Choice Mint State. A beautiful example of the only medal issued for the Quasi-War with France. Rich, smooth mahogany patina is unbroken and choice in appearance on both sides. The fields show good liveliness and some pale golden toning. Some positively trivial marks are seen under a glass, not to be confused with the significant evidence of die rust on the peripheries of the reverse. This medal, like most 19th century strikes of the Truxtun medal, marries a ca. 1860 copy obverse with the original (now rusted) reverse. The original obverse broke very early in its life, and fewer than 10 examples are thought to exist from that die. This generation of restrike is the one typically encountered (aside from the 20th century "peanut bronze" copies), and researchers Chris Neuzil, Todd Creekman, and Lenny Vaccaro estimates just 25 specimens extant from these dies. Their extensive research, including background history on the medal and a listing of the various types of Truxtun medal production known, appeared in the MCA Advisory and is available online. The Truxton medal is far more elusive than most of the War of 1812 medals, rarer even than original strikings of the famed John Paul Jones medal, Julian NA-1. It is important for at least two reasons: it is the first naval medal struck at the US Mint (Jones was struck exclusively at Paris until 1863), and it is also the only collectible US Mint medal accomplished by Robert Scot, who also engraved most of the dies for Liberty Cap and Draped Bust coins. The quality of this piece is superb and will withstand even the most finicky collector's scrutiny.
Unfortunately, it seems the Medal Collectors of America (MCA) advisory link no longer works:
trueblood
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Care to share info about your piece?
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Nice.
If not 1800, then why does it say 1800 on reverse. Is it a restrike or what exactly? Love the medal, but more info please.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
It is a restrike, probably done around the 1860's. You can confirm/determine this by looking at the multiple areas of die rust on the wide rim of the reverse. Still a rare piece but not nearly as rare as an original.
I like the reverse.... I have long considered assembling a collection of coins/medals with ships on them. Maybe sometime....Cheers, RickO
Etching of his gold medal.
Here's a nice description of this medal:
https://www.jkamericana.com/rare-1800-thomas-truxtun-medal-julian-na-2.html
Unfortunately, it seems the Medal Collectors of America (MCA) advisory link no longer works:
https://www.medalcollectors.org/Archives/Pdf/the mca advisory january 2008.pdf
The homepage still works:
https://www.medalcollectors.org/