(1848-85) Bronze Medal J-MI-23, Maj. Gen. Zachary Taylor

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,080 MS63BN 04-03-2024 Stack's Bowers

Description

The circa 1848-1885 bronze military medal cataloged as Julian MI-23 honors Major General Zachary Taylor for his victories at the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma on May 8-9, 1846, the opening engagements of the Mexican-American War. Taylor's army defeated Mexican forces under General Mariano Arista in two consecutive battles along the Rio Grande in southern Texas, establishing American military superiority at the outset of the conflict. The obverse features Taylor's portrait in military dress. The reverse carries commemorative imagery of the Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma victories. The 1848-1885 date range indicates production across multiple restrike periods. Taylor's victories at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, followed by his capture of Monterrey and his dramatic defensive victory at Buena Vista against a much larger Mexican force under Santa Anna, made him a national hero and propelled him to the presidency in 1848. "Old Rough and Ready" embodied the frontier military officer of the Jacksonian era — informal in dress and manner but relentless in combat.

Rarity Notes

Bronze duplicates produced across the 1848-1885 restrike period. Taylor's presidential fame adds crossover collecting interest.

Cross References

Julian MI-23; PCGS #923297