1814 Medal J-MI-17 Obv, MI-11 Rev Brig. Gen. James Miller

Coin Details

Description

This medal pairs the Julian MI-17 obverse (Brigadier General James Miller) with the Julian MI-11 reverse (Major General Jacob Brown), creating a die mule from two different War of 1812 Congressional Gold Medal designs. Both medals were engraved by Moritz Furst at 65mm diameter and struck at the Philadelphia Mint. The dies for the eleven Army medals of the War of 1812 were muled extensively at the Mint during the latter half of the nineteenth century, as all shared the same format and engraver. The obverse shows Miller's portrait with "I'LL TRY" — his reply when Brown ordered him to capture British guns at Lundy's Lane. The reverse carries Brown's battle scene commemorating the senior commander of the Niagara Campaign who issued that very order. The pairing thus unites the two men most associated with the decisive action at Lundy's Lane on July 25, 1814. Brown (MI-11) commanded the Left Division of the Army while Miller (MI-17) led the 21st Infantry's bayonet charge. Die mules from this series are collected as distinct varieties documenting U.S. Mint production practices.

Rarity Notes

Die mule combining MI-17 obverse with MI-11 reverse. War of 1812 military medal dies were muled extensively at the Mint, creating numerous known obverse/reverse combinations. Mules are scarcer than standard die pairings and collected as distinct varieties.

Cross References

Julian MI-17 (obverse) / MI-11 (reverse); Moritz Furst engraver; War of 1812 die mule