(1776) Bronze Medal J-MI-1, George Washington

Coin Details

Description

The circa 1776 bronze military medal cataloged as Julian MI-1 honors General George Washington and is among the earliest American military decorations. This medal celebrates Washington's leadership during the opening campaigns of the Revolutionary War, when he assumed command of the Continental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts in July 1775 and subsequently forced the British evacuation of Boston in March 1776 through the strategic placement of artillery on Dorchester Heights. The obverse features a portrait of Washington in military dress, reflecting his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental forces. The reverse carries appropriate military and patriotic imagery commemorating the early victories that established American military credibility. Congress authorized numerous medals during the Revolution to recognize exceptional military service, following the European tradition of awarding gold medals to victorious commanders. This bronze duplicate was produced at the Philadelphia Mint for collectors and institutional collections. The original gold medal was presented to Washington by Congress, establishing the precedent for the Congressional Gold Medal program that continues to the present day. The MI-1 designation places this as the first entry in Julian's catalog of American military medals.

Rarity Notes

Bronze duplicates produced across multiple restrike periods. The iconic status of the subject ensures strong collector demand across all formats.

Cross References

Julian MI-1; PCGS #518705