(c.1880-98) Bronze Medal J-MI-9, Cornucopia John E. Howard at Cowpens

Coin Details

Description

The circa 1880-1898 bronze military medal cataloged as Julian MI-9 with cornucopia reverse honors Colonel John Eager Howard at the Battle of Cowpens. The "cornucopia" designation identifies a specific reverse die bearing a cornucopia privy mark, which was characteristic of Mint medal productions during the late nineteenth century. This die combination dates the medal to the 1880-1898 production period. The obverse features Howard's military portrait, and the reverse carries the Cowpens commemorative design with the cornucopia mark. The cornucopia was a common privy mark on late-nineteenth-century Mint medals and helps collectors identify the specific production period of individual strikes. The existence of multiple reverse die combinations for the Howard medal across nearly a century of production reflects the enduring popularity of Revolutionary War medals among collectors. Each die combination is collected as a distinct variety, with some periods' productions being significantly scarcer than others. The cornucopia reverse represents the latest of the major die combinations for this medal.

Rarity Notes

Bronze with cornucopia reverse die produced circa 1880-1898. Availability varies; late-period restrikes were produced in moderate quantities.

Cross References

Julian MI-9 (cornucopia reverse); PCGS #826184