1898 AL Medal Admiral Dewey - Manila

Coin Details

Auction Record

$209 MS61 11-11-2024 eBay

Description

This 1898 aluminum medal honors Admiral George Dewey for his victory at Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War. Aluminum was a relatively novel commercial metal in 1898, offering a distinctive lightweight silver-colored appearance. Dewey's destruction of the Spanish fleet on May 1, 1898, made him the greatest American naval hero since Farragut. The aluminum composition distinguishes this from the many bronze and white metal Dewey medals produced. Aluminum's novelty would have made this an appealing souvenir. Bronze medals have served as the workhorse composition for American commemoratives, providing a durable and affordable medium that allowed broad distribution while maintaining the artistic quality of the original designs. The battle transformed the United States into a Pacific power and initiated American involvement in the Philippines.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Admiral Dewey Manila medal, aluminum, 1898. Aluminum Dewey medals are less common than bronze.

Cross References

PCGS #967071; Admiral Dewey; Manila Bay; Aluminum; 1898