- Rare Bronze striking of Major Henry Lee’s Congressional Gold Medal
- Fewer than 76 examples struck
- Examples sell for thousands of dollars
* * *
Betts-575. Julian MI-5. Loubat 6. 45.3mm. 52.94g. Rare bronze striking of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to Major Henry Lee for his victory against the Great Britain at the Battle of Paulus Hook in August 1779. The obverse die was likely prepared by New Jersey die cutter Joseph Wright. The reverse was a late 19th-century reproduction. Between 35-76 pieces struck. Very rare Comitia Americana medal.
The medal’s obverse features a right-facing bust of Lee in military garb. Wrapping around the top is the Latin inscription HENRICO LEE LEGIONIS EQUIT. PRAEFECTO (“To Henry Lee, Cavalry Prefect”). In small text wrapping around the bottom is the Latin inscription COMITIA AMERICANA (“American Congress”).
On the reverse, a thin wreath wraps around the inner rim. Inside is inscribed NON OBSTANTIS FLUMINIBUS VALLIS ASTUTIA & VIRTUTE BELLICA PARVA MANUHOSTES VICIT VICTOSO. ARMIS HUMANITATE DEVINXIT. IN MEM PUGN AD PAULUS HOOK DIEXIX. AUG. 1779 (“Despite the rivers of the valley the cruelty and strength of war small forces won victoriously. Humanity was bound in arms at the Battle of Paulus Hook the 19th of August 1779”).
- PCGS SP-63: “The Lucien LeRiviere Collection, “Bowers and Merena, May 21, 2001, Lot 1079; “The John J. Ford, Jr. Collection,” Stack’s, May 2006, Lot 209; “The E Pluribus Unum Collection,” Stack’s Bowers, November 21, 2021, Lot 10031 – $16,800. Long almost bisecting die crack from 6 o’clock on the rim up the back of the portrait.
- NGC MS-63: “The Marlor Collection”, Heritage Auctions, January 8, 2014, Lot 3215 – $4,700. Long almost bisecting die crack from 6 o’clock on the rim up the back of the portrait.
* * *
