(1817) Bronze Medal J-NA-17, Oliver H. Perry

Coin Details

Auction Record

$840 MS65 06-21-2018 Stack's Bowers

Description

The circa 1817 bronze naval medal cataloged as Julian NA-17 honors Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry for his decisive victory at the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813. Perry's defeat of the British squadron under Captain Robert Barclay secured American control of Lake Erie and made possible William Henry Harrison's invasion of Upper Canada that culminated in the Battle of the Thames. Perry's famous message to Harrison — "We have met the enemy and they are ours" — became one of the most quoted dispatches in American military history. The obverse features Perry's portrait in naval dress. The reverse carries commemorative imagery of the Lake Erie engagement. This bronze duplicate was produced at the Philadelphia Mint for collector distribution. Perry's victory was achieved under extraordinary circumstances. His flagship Lawrence was so badly damaged that he transferred his flag to the Niagara by rowing through enemy fire in an open boat, then sailed the Niagara directly into the British line, breaking their formation and forcing the surrender of the entire squadron. Perry was twenty-seven years old at the time of the battle.

Rarity Notes

Bronze duplicates produced across multiple restrike periods. Perry's fame and the dramatic nature of his victory make this one of the most popular War of 1812 naval medals.

Cross References

Julian NA-17; PCGS #518704