So-Called Dollars

REVOLUTIONARY WAR BATTLES, ANNIVERSARIES, HEADQUARTERS, MEMORIALS, MONUMENTS
1877 TO 1903

NOTE: See separate listings, Part I, for:

1. Battle of Lexington Centennial--1875
2. Lovett's Eight Battles Medals, U.S. Centennial--1876
3. Valley Forge Centennial--1878
4. Bennington, VT, Battle Monument, Vermont Centennial--1891

Many of these issues were of official nature; struck and sold to assist in defraying cost of particular celebration or memorial involved. While thus localized sometimes as to issue, original events obviously were of great national importance.

BATTLE OF SARATOGA MONUMENT
(UNDATED)--CIRCA 1877

Photos courtesy of W. David Perkins

Obv. Scene portraying surrender of British General Burgoyne to U.S. General Gates; above Salus Regionum Septentrional (translation: "Deliverance of Northern Territory")--all within center circle; outside, above Saratoga Monument Association; below Incorporated April 19, 1860; beaded border.
Rev. Monument; above Saratoga Monument; beaded border.

HK-119 Silver or Silver-plated. 35mm.
HK-119a Bronze.

WYOMING BATTLE & MASSACRE CENTENNIAL
1878

A leaflet distributed with some of the medals contains a copy of notarized statements from Harrison Wright, chairman of the Committee on the Wyoming Memorial Medal and from George Morgan attesting to the mintage figures shown below. The statement from Morgan confirms that "he designed the Wyoming Memorial Medal, cut the dies and furnished the committee with the medals," and that "the dies from which the above medals were struck, have this day [July 15, 1878] been broken...and the fragments forwaded to the committee." A note in 13 AJN 48 reports that the 7 pieces in gold were struck for presentation to Mrs. Hayes (the President's wife) and others, although the official record of the event states that they were intended to be "awarded as prizes in regattas, or for the best displays of civic or military associations."

Photos courtesy of John Dean

Obv. Scene depicting massacre by Indians--within center circle; outside, around. In commemoration of the battle and massacre of Wyoming. July 3. 1778.
Rev. Monument, to l. 1778, to r. 1878, inside fenced grounds--all within center circle; outside, around Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori * (translation: "It is a sweet and noble thing to die for one's country," paraphrased from Horace Odes book iii, ode 2)

HK-120 Bronzed Copper. 36mm. 324 struck.
HK-120a Silver. 200 struck.
HK-120b Brass.
HK-120c Gilt Copper. 152 struck.
HK-120d Gold. 7 struck.
HK-121 White Metal. 1014 struck.

BATTLE OF STONY POINT CENTENNIAL
1879

Photos courtesy of John Raymond

Obv. Military bust l.; above General Anthony Wayne; below bust July 16th / 1879; around Centennial anniversary of the battle of Stony Point; beaded border.
Rev. Battle scene; above Stony Point expugnatum; below scene XV July MDCCLXXIX

HK-122 Bronze. 34mm.
HK-122a White Metal.

BATTLE OF NEWTOWN CENTENNIAL
1879

Photos courtesy of John Dean

Obv. Tower and grounds, to l. 1779, to r. 1879--all within center circle; outside, around In commemoration of the battle of Newtown N. Y.; below Aug 29. 1779.
Rev. Wreath around border, within circle within wreath and around in two lines * The forces of the Six Nations, under the leadership of Joseph Brant / aided by British regulars and Tories, across were defeated / by the / Americans / commanded by / Maj. Gen. John Sullivan / of N. H. / thereby hastening / the day / which assured to the / United States, their / existence as an independent / nation

BATTLE OF GROTON HEIGHTS CENTENNIAL
1881

Issued by George Hampden Lovett.

Photos courtesy of Jonathan Brecher

Obv. Within low walls of Fort are American soldier reloading musket and kneeling Indian aiming gun over wall--all in center circle; outside, around We will not give up the fort, let the consequences be what they may
Rev. Outline of Fort; within outline Massacre / in / Fort Griswold; outside, to l. of Fort is directional arrow pointing N; below Fort and / Burning of / New London / September 6. 1781; around border Sep. 6. 1881 Centennial of the Battle of Groton Heights

HK-125 White Metal. 40mm.
HK-125b Bronze.
HK-125c Silver.

EVACUATION OF NEW YORK CITY CENTENNIAL
1883

Struck by John H. Diehl of Philadelphia.

Photos courtesy of Victor Annaloro

Obv. Military bust, facing to r., below r. shoulder microscopic Morgan [George T. Morgan, engraver]; to l., coat of arms; to r., around, G. Washington; on ribbon below bust, Exitus acta probat; beaded border.
Rev. Seal: Three flags to l. and 3 to r. of shield, about which is open wreath, tied at bottom; 13 stars above shield, 2 cannon below; above all, around, Evacuation day / Centennial; below, around, Nov. 25 / 1783. City of New York. 1883

HK-125a Bronze. 35mm. Baker 457.
HK-125d White Metal. Baker 457A.

VALLEY FORGE, 112th ANNIVERSARY OF EVACUATION
1890

Photos courtesy of Robert Mayer

Obv. Edifice; above Headquarters; below edifice June 19., 1890; border legend 112th. Anniversary of the evacuation of Valley Forge; beaded border.
Rev. Within closed wreath and between small horizontal scrolls Souvenir; stars around entire border; beaded border.

HK-126 White Metal. 35mm.

Photos courtesy of Tom Hoffman

Obv. Same as obverse of No. 126 [Valley Forge Headquarters].
Rev. Naked bust r., within sunken circle; above, around Gen. Geo. Washington; below, around thirteen stars.

HK-126a Silver. 35mm. Baker J-195
HK-126b Copper. Baker J-195A
HK-126c White Metal.

BATTLE OF TRENTON MONUMENT
1893

Photos courtesy of W. David Perkins

Obv. Monument; above, around Trenton battle monument.; below, around Corner stone laid Dec. 26, 1891 Dedicated Oct. 19. 1893; beaded border.
Rev. Bust of Washington l.; above, around To commemorate the battle of Trenton, N. J.; below, around December 26. 1776.; just below bust, microscopic Bechtel Trenton; beaded border.

HK-127 Bronze. 38mm.
HK-127a White Metal.
HK-128 Aluminum. Baker 324A.
HK-128a Brass. Baker 324.

EVACUATION OF FORT SHELBY (DETROIT) CENTENNIAL
1896

While evacuation of Ft. Shelby by British did not occur during Revolutionary War, it was direct result of and sequel to it; hence this listing.

Photos courtesy of W. David Perkins

Obv. Group of buildings with flag flying from tall pole in center; above, around Centennial anniversary of the evacuation / of Fort Shelby by the British; below buildings Fort Shelby / 1796 / Detroit July 11, 1896; beaded border.
Rev. State Seal; below are 13 stars around; beaded border.

HK-129 Bronze. 35mm.
HK-130 White Metal.

EVACUATION OF BOSTON, 125th ANNIVERSARY
1901

Reverse of issue below is replica of famous Gold medal given General Washington by Resolution of Continental Congress March 25, 1776; only gold medal ever granted him by Federal Government. One hundred years later, just prior to both Centennial Celebration of Evacuation, Boston and to U.S. Centennial, Philadelphia--1876, 50 Boston citizens subscribed fund to purchase medal from Washington family who finally were induced to act due both "to losses sustained…during… Civil War…and (national) interest…of the centennial."

Purchasers immediately presented piece to City of Boston to be "preserved forever in the Boston Public Library." Medal is about 68mm. in size, 2 11/16mm. thick and weighs more than 7 oz.

These reproductions were distributed to Boston school children in 1901; struck by Whitehead & Hoag, Newark, NJ.

Photos courtesy of Jonathan Brecher

Obv. Within open wreath, across Souvenir / 125th / Anniversary / Evacuation day / Boston, Mass. / 1901; outside wreath, at bottom edge, microscopic W. & H. Co. Newark, N. J.; beaded border.
Rev. Soldiers (Gen. Washington and 4 aides) on horseback on Dorchester Heights overlooking city and harbor from which British vessels are retreating; 2 cannon and shot in foreground with part of fortifications below; above all Hostibus primo fugatis; below all Bostonium recuperatum, XVII martii, MDCCLXXVI (translation: "The enemy fled immediately; Boston recaptured March 17, 1776"); beaded border.

HK-131 Copper. 38mm. Baker 52R.

VALLEY FORGE, 125th ANNIVERSARY OF EVACUATION
1903

Photos courtesy of W. David Perkins

Obv. Edifice; above 125th Anniversary; below edifice, on ribbon Valley Forge headquarters; below ribbon 1778-1903; beaded border.
Rev. Male bust facing front, in high relief; above George Washington; to l. of bust 1778, to r. Valley / Forge; beaded border.

HK-132 White Metal. 38mm. Baker L-195.
HK-132a Bronze.

BATTLES OF BRANDYWINE, GERMANTOWN, MONMOUTH & STONY POINT
CIRCA 1860

Photos courtesy of John Dean

Obv. Military bust facing part l.; above, around Major General Anthony Wayne; below bust born 1745 died 1796; beaded border.
Rev. Across Brandywine / Germantown / Monmouth / Stony Point; above all 11 stars around; below, around, small Alfred S. Robinson's historical series No. 1--all within closed wreath which is around and close to entire border; beaded border.

HK-133 Silver. 35mm.
HK-133a Silver-plated.
HK-133b Copper.
HK-133c Brass.
HK-133d Tin.

WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS AT
NEWBURGH, NY; PROCLAMATION OF PEACE,
DISBANDMENT OF ARMY CENTENNIALS
1883

Photos courtesy of Victor Annaloro

Obv. Edifice in center; above, around Celebration at Newburgh, N. Y. / October 18th; below edifice, microscopic A. Demarest, Sc. N. Y.; upper border legend 1783 -- Centennial -- 1883; lower border legend Proclamation of peace, disbandment of the army
Rev. Coat of Arms in center; around He was most nobly crowned by refusing to be crowned; 13 stars around last lettering; border legend Washington's family coat of arms from which the American flag was designed

HK-134 Bronze. 41mm. Baker R-456A.
HK-135 White Metal. Baker R-456.
HK-135a Copper-plated.

VALLEY FORGE CENTENNIAL
1878
VALLEY FORGE, PA

Medal commemorates 100th anniversary of departure of Continental Army from Valley Forge June 19, 1778. Authorized by 45th Congress, designed and engraved by William Barber, it was struck originally in 1880 at Philadelphia Mint; became one of Mint Medal Series (Miscellaneous No. 4).

Today, Valley Forge National Historical Park, 3,500 acres located 22 miles northwest of Philadelphia, preserves site of George Washington's encampment during bitter Winter of 1777-1778. Of 11,000 soldiers, almost 3,000 were incapaci­tated before Continental Army moved out to battle. Here in Park are restored soldier's huts, redoubts, field hospital and Washington's Headquarters. Later structures include Memorial Chapel, Cloister of Colonies, Peace Carillon, Museum of American History and Bell Tower of Daughters of the American Revolution.

NOTE: For additional Valley Forge anniversary medals, see Part I, Revolutionary War Battles--Anniversaries, Head­quarters, etc.-- 1877-1903.

Photos courtesy of W. David Perkins

Obv. Washington bust r.; below is microscopic Barber--all within beaded circle; outside, above George Washington; below * Commander in Chief *
Rev. Within open wreath within beaded circle, in 8 lines, In / Commemoration / of the / Departure / of the / Continental / Army / June 19; outside, above Valley Forge Centennial; outside, below 1778--1878

HK-136 Silver. Proof. 41mm. Julian CM-48 Baker 449.
63 struck.
HK-137 Bronze. Julian CM-48. Baker 449A. 427 struck.

NOTE: 20^th Century restrikes are known to exist, struck in yellow bronze with matte surfaces.