(1838) Bronze Medal J-CM-38, New Haven Bicentennial

Coin Details

Auction Record

$384 MS63 06-10-2020 Heritage Auctions

Description

This bronze medal, cataloged as J-CM-38, commemorates the New Haven Bicentennial of 1838, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the founding of New Haven, Connecticut, in 1638 by a group of Puritan settlers led by John Davenport and Theophilus Eaton. New Haven was established as an independent colony with a theocratic government based on biblical law before being absorbed into the Connecticut Colony in 1665. The J-CM-38 designation places this within the Julian Commemorative Medal series. The 1838 bicentennial celebration came during a period when many American communities were marking their colonial-era founding dates with civic events and commemorative medals. New Haven's significance extended beyond its colonial origins — it was home to Yale University (established 1701), one of America's preeminent institutions of learning, and served as co-capital of Connecticut alongside Hartford until 1875. The bronze composition was standard for medals intended for broad civic distribution.

Rarity Notes

J-CM-38, bronze composition. New Haven Bicentennial 1838. Limited production for civic celebration. Scarce.

Cross References

PCGS #668058; Julian CM-38; New Haven Bicentennial Medal, Bronze; Founded 1638