Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence Mint Medal
RBEGAHJB
Posts: 20 ✭✭✭
This is a very condensed version of an article that will be published next year in the lead up to Independence day:
Most Americans know the story of Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence, but few have heard of the Mecklenburg Declaration of 1775—a claim that North Carolinians declared freedom more than a year before Philadelphia. Whether fact, memory, or myth, the idea lives on in metal.
In 1875, the U.S. Mint struck a centennial medal to honor that supposed “first declaration.” Designed by Chief Engraver William Barber, it’s a masterpiece of symbolism. A liberty cap rests atop a branch, the classic emblem of freedom, while below sits a hornet’s nest—a nod to the British nickname for Charlotte, “a hornet’s nest of rebellion.” Two clasped hands complete the design, signifying unity and resolve.
The reverse reads simply: “Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, May 20th, 1775.” Only 1,005 silver and 1,000 bronze examples were struck, most on half-dollar planchets, giving them a coin-like feel unusual for the era.
Today, these pieces rarely appear on the market, commanding about $1,000 when they do. Beyond their numismatic value, they capture how Americans forge identity through art—turning contested memory into tangible history, struck in silver, bronze, and legend.
Russ Bega
COO
Harlan J Berk Ltd.
Comments
Cool post, never heard of that medal before.
I was never into exonumia until I took over that department in my current position. This medal made me absolutely fall in love with the subject.
Russ Bega
COO
Harlan J Berk Ltd.
Medal is certainly real---not so sure Declaration itself was ( know by how you wrote you are aware of the controversy). Didn't stop the good people of North Carolina from having a grand old celebration!
I explore that in the larger article actually. I'm skeptical the declaration happened but there is evidence of a list of Resolves published about that same time.
Russ Bega
COO
Harlan J Berk Ltd.
I would suppose that the Resolution and the Declaration actually happened, After all, the "Revolution" didn't just start spontaneously on a specific date, it was brewing around the Colonies for quite a while and things had to be done if not in secret then in a manner to evade the British.
Is it really any different than the actual U.S. Declaration of Independence supposedly being signed on July 4th, 1776?? It took quite a long time to round up all the signatures. To steal a quote from "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety," --- Benjamin Franklin
Very interesting
Mr_Spud
>
Just passing along a pdf of The Mecklenburg Declaration: The Present Status of the Question , The American Historical Review, Volume 13, Oct., 1907----- which may or may not be of some use for your article
Do look forward to reading it.
interesting piece, i like
Read American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence Chapter 2 ""The "Other" Declarations of Independence"" pages 47-97. The "so-called Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence" is not included in that chapter but covered later pages 172-177 ""Jefferson quickly pronounced it "spurious," since no one had apparently heard of the Mecklenburg "Declaration" until 1819"".
I like the medal.