FSHO: 1858 S.S. Central America Captain William Lewis Herndon testimonial medal
jonathanb
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Stacks Bowers described this as "One of the greatest medal rarities in the American canon, observing that there have only been three offered in the lat 25 years (one silver, two bronze). This is a while metal example, and while I'm sure it's not unique... try finding another!
This medal was commissioned by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a gift to the wide of Captain William Lewis Herndon, who went down with the ship.
Obverse shows a dynamic and very high relief scene of the S.S. Central America in distress in rough seas, with a rowboat of survivors escaping in the foreground. F. B. SMITH & HARTMAN SC. N.Y. in exergue. Around all, DEVOTION TO DUTY CHRISTIAN CONDUCT AND GENUINE HEROISM RESPECTED AND REVERED
Reverse PRESENTED / TO THE WIDOW OF / CAPTAIN / WILLIAM LEWIS HERNDON / U. S. NAVY / BY / VIRGINIA / A TESTIMONIAL OF RESPECT / FOR HER / VIRTUOUS SON / A NOBLE AND GALLANT / OFFICER / 1858 all in wreath.
There is a bit of graffiti on the reverse -- 16 and 72 shallowly scratched to the left and right. There are also a few marks on the rims and edge of this soft white metal medal. The obverse is clearly the most important aspect of this medal, though, and the obverse is nice. See pictures below.
A rare example of this memorial to the S.S. Central America, perfect to accompany a collection of recovered gold from the ship.
$10,000
Comments
Very nice !!!
Damn!!!
awesome medal