"1818" Governor Isaac Shelby, Battle of the Thames Medal. Original.

"1818" Governor Isaac Shelby, Battle of the Thames Medal. Original. Julian MI-21. White Metal. AU-55 (NGC). 61.5 mm. Deep pewter gray with lighter silver gray tones at obverse periphery and bright reflective luster remaining around the reverse. The central obverse shows wear, and some scattered marks are seen, including a light rim bruise at 5 o'clock. The reverse is nicer, with few marks and good detail in the intricate battle scene. A rare medal, one of just a handful known of this design in white metal. The white metal strikings of War of 1812 medals date to the earliest era of the medals' production, in this case sometime between 1822 when the dies were finished and 1824 when the gold striking was presented to Shelby himself. White metal strikings, which cost very little at the time, were distributed by the awardee to friends and those involved in the battle, but generally only very few were struck, perhaps a dozen or two. This piece shows the collaring mark at 12 o'clock that is a hallmark of originals. This medal, though worn, is an earlier and rarer form than the beautiful copper examples struck for collectors from these dies in the decades that would follow. Provenance: From the Henry Mitchell Collection. Earlier from our (Stack's) New York Americana Sale of January 2010, lot 4777; our Philadelphia ANA Auction of August 2012, lot 4124. Click here for certification details from NGC.

Estimate:$1

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