"1815" Medal Henry Hudson Bronze 63mm Discovery Of The Hudson River

Coin Details

Description

This 63mm bronze medal dated 1815 commemorates Henry Hudson's 1609 discovery of the Hudson River, which opened the waterway that would become central to New York's commercial dominance. The medal celebrates the explorer who, sailing under the Dutch East India Company flag aboard the Half Moon, navigated the river that now bears his name as far north as present-day Albany in September 1609, searching for a northwest passage to Asia. The generous 63mm diameter allows for detailed artistic treatment of the subject, depicting Hudson or the Half Moon on the obverse with commemorative text on the reverse referencing the discovery and its significance to American history. The 1815 date indicates this medal was produced as a retrospective commemoration, in connection with early 19th-century interest in documenting the colonial heritage of New York. Hudson's voyage established Dutch claims to the region that became New Netherland and eventually New York, making his exploration foundational to the history of America's largest city and the broader Mid-Atlantic region.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Large-format bronze medals from this early period survive in limited numbers, particularly in well-preserved condition.

Cross References

PCGS #920565