(c.1822) White Metal Medal J-MI-21, Gov. Isaac Shelby

Coin Details

Auction Record

$4,080 SP62 10-14-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

The circa 1822 white metal military medal cataloged as Julian MI-21 honors Governor Isaac Shelby of Kentucky for his leadership during the War of 1812. Shelby, who was sixty-three years old when the war began, personally led 4,000 Kentucky militia volunteers to join William Henry Harrison's campaign in Upper Canada, participating in the decisive Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813 where Tecumseh was killed. The obverse features Shelby's portrait. The reverse carries commemorative imagery related to his War of 1812 service. White metal — a tin-based alloy with a bright silvery appearance — was used for certain medal productions as an affordable alternative to bronze or silver. Shelby was a unique figure in American military history, having also served as a frontier militia commander during the Revolutionary War, where he played a crucial role at the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780. His service in both the Revolution and the War of 1812 spans the entire early military history of the republic. Congress recognized his Thames campaign leadership with a gold medal, making him one of the few non-regular-army officers to receive the honor.

Rarity Notes

White metal examples are relatively scarce. The soft metal composition means well-preserved pieces are particularly desirable.

Cross References

Julian MI-21; PCGS #669741