(1777) Silvered Bronze Medal J-MI-2, Horatio Gates at Saratoga

Coin Details

Description

The circa 1777 silvered bronze military medal cataloged as Julian MI-2 honors Major General Horatio Gates at Saratoga. The silvered finish — a thin application of silver over the bronze substrate — creates a metallic appearance between standard bronze and solid silver, providing a distinctive presentation quality. Silvered bronze medals occupy an intermediate position in the hierarchy of medal finishes. The obverse features Gates's military portrait, and the reverse carries commemorative imagery of the Saratoga victory. The silvered treatment gives this medal a brighter, more reflective appearance than standard bronze while remaining less costly to produce than solid silver strikes. Gates's career after Saratoga took a dramatically different turn when he suffered a catastrophic defeat at the Battle of Camden in South Carolina on August 16, 1780, one of the worst American losses of the entire war. The contrast between Saratoga and Camden has made Gates one of the most debated figures in Revolutionary War historiography, with some historians crediting his subordinate Benedict Arnold with the actual battlefield leadership at Saratoga.

Rarity Notes

Silvered bronze examples are relatively scarce. The silvering process was applied to a limited production run, making this format less commonly encountered than standard bronze.

Cross References

Julian MI-2; PCGS #906628