Collection Highlights
The Lost Cause
Date:
1871
Object Number:
PR.068.19
Medium:
Engraving
SUPPORT THE NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Help us present groundbreaking exhibitions and develop educational programs about our nation's history for more than 200,000 schoolchildren annually.
Museum Collections
Luce Center
Captain Stephen Decatur, Jr. Naval Medal
Object Number:
1182
Date:
1820-1881
Medium:
Bronze
Dimensions:
diameter: 2 5/8 in. ( 6.7 cm )
Marks:
inscription: obverse, below bust truncation: "FURST. F."
inscription: reverse, below exergual line, at center: "FURST F."
Description:
Bronze struck medal with obverse showing uniformed bust of Stephen Decatur, Jr. facing right with legend: "STEPHANUS DECATUR NAVARCHUS, PUGNIS/PLURIBUS, VICTOR" Reverse shows naval battle scene with legend: "OCCIDIT SIGNUM HOSTILE SIDERA SURGUNT" and inscription below exergual line: "INTER STA.UNI.NAV. AMERI/ET MACEDO.NAV.ANG.DIE/XXV OCTOBRIS/MDCCCXII"
Gallery Label:
The Decatur reverse die was reproduced in the latter part of 1881. Medals struck since that time bear "REPRODUCTION 1881" in the exergue. A medal in the colleciton of John Ford, Jr., struck prior to 1881 has a die break at the bottom of the reverse, as does this example.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
