(1814) Bronze Medal J-NA-15, Restrike Thomas Macdonoug

Coin Details

Description

The circa 1814 bronze restrike of the naval medal cataloged as Julian NA-15 honors Commodore Thomas Macdonough for his decisive naval victory on Lake Champlain on September 11, 1814. Macdonough's destruction of the British squadron under Captain George Downie at the Battle of Plattsburgh Bay was one of the most consequential naval engagements in American history, as it secured the northern frontier and directly influenced the peace negotiations at Ghent. The obverse features Macdonough's portrait. The reverse carries imagery commemorating the Lake Champlain victory. This restrike was produced from available dies at a later date. Macdonough's tactical innovation at Plattsburgh was remarkable — he pre-positioned his ships with spring lines on their anchor cables that allowed him to rotate his vessels 180 degrees during the battle, presenting fresh broadsides to the enemy after his engaged guns were damaged. This maneuver proved decisive when his flagship Saratoga's starboard battery was wrecked; he wound the ship around on her springs and pounded the British with his intact port battery, forcing Downie's flagship to surrender.

Rarity Notes

Bronze restrike produced in limited quantities. The Lake Champlain victory is recognized as one of the decisive naval engagements of the War of 1812.

Cross References

Julian NA-15; PCGS #941688