Americas First Medals

Americas First Medals was a series of medals struck by the US Mint commemorating the first medals conferred upon certain individuals for their exemplary service to our country in notable battles during the American Revolution. They were minted back when our country was celebrating the Bicentennial of the American Revolution in the '70's era. They were struck in pewter and measured approx. 1 & 1/2 inches in diameter.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 1974

U.S. MINT TO RESTRIKE AMERICA’S FIRST MEDALS

Mrs. Mary Brooks, Director of the Mint, presented Mrs. Richard Nixon today the first strikes of the ten piece America’s First Medals series being produced as part of the U.S. Mint’s coins and medals observance of the Bicentennial of the American Revolution.

The presentation of the pewter reproductions of the first medals voted by the Continental Congress took place at the White House. The medals, originally struck in gold and silver, were awarded in recognition of the bold commanders and successful Revolutionary War battles that won for a new nation its freedom from foreign domination.

The Bicentennial medals package included a reprint of a booklet entitled “Medals Commemorating Battles of the American Revolution,” authored by Vladimir and Elvira Clain-Stefanelli of the National Museum of History and Technology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

The 43-page illustrated booklet explains the tradition of bestowing medals upon our nation’s heroes and the history surrounding the first medals granted by the Founding Fathers and designed by the foremost medalists of the day.

Benjamin Franklin, then our Ambassador to France, took a personal interest in the design and engraving of many of the Revolutionary War commemorative medallions produced in Paris.

An 11th medal, considered to be one of the most beautiful medallic expressions of liberty ever struck, was also commissioned by Benjamin Franklin but he failed to win official Congressional approval of it. Called the Libertas Americana medal, the U.S. Mint, in 1976, hopes to reproduce this capstone piece and make it a part of the ten piece America’s First Medals series.

The Bicentennial series of pewter reproductions, 1-1/2” in diameter, will take until July 4, 1976 to complete. In 1976, reprints of the Smithsonian booklet will also be sent to purchasers of the medals.

The first two medals are being offered as a unit at $10.00 and may be ordered during April and May, 1974 from the Bureau of the Mint, 55 Mint Street, San Francisco, California 94175. They are:

WASHINGTON BEFORE BOSTON, the first medal authorized by the Continental Congress. It was originally struck in gold for presentation to General George Washington for the liberation of Boston from the British in 1776.

GENERAL HORATIO GATES is honored on the second medal, first struck in gold and awarded in commemoration of the Battles of Bennington, Fort Stanwix and Saratoga in 1777, which defeated British plans to occupy the Hudson Valley and isolate New England.

The other historic medals, available at later dates, memorialize the brilliant tactical successes at the Battle of Cowpens, the daring assaults on Stony Point, Eutaw Springs, Paulus Hook and the most celebrated battle in U.S. Naval history off the coast of Great Britain.

Persons wishing to be apprised of current and future release dates of America’s First Medals may write to the U. S. Mint to be placed on its mailing list. Persons already on the list will automatically receive notification."

http://www.usmint.gov/historianscorner/index.cfm?action=docdl&doc=pr476_1.pdf

The medals themselves are artistically done and lend a true redemption to the original stirkes. They are beautiful in design and are quit easily had for very little financial outlay and are a tribute to our country's early history. One of my favorites....



I invite you to view more of these beautiful medals in my album located on my profile page......http://www.cointalk.com/users/10103-albums722/

As always, thoughts and comments most generously entertained....

 

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Great write up Ken , thanks for the info .
Rusty

 

Thank you dear friend....

 

I actually think some of the mints best products are it's medals , especially the copies of the originals given to some of the great Americans like Major Lee . And like you said the cost is very reasonable .
Rusty

 

So very true.....

And to be had for a pittance.....

 

I have the 11/2" Pewter set, which I bought when they first came out.
First is the outter Sleave: Second the Box that holds the Medals: 3rd the booklet describing the history of the medals: 4th obverse of medals: 5th the reverse

 

I have the complete set, too! Do you recall the issue price when you got yours (I assume) from the Mint?

Chris

 

I did get the set from the mint back then, but I have no record of the cost.

 

The medals themselves came in pairs and were priced at $10. I never did get the holder or the book from the mint and for what reason I can't remember why.......

 

I have 2 or 3 of the individual medals in the plastic holder which I got in a bulk lot purchase, but you could also purchase the entire set that came with the presentation case and the booklet.

Chris

 

Must o' been cause I was doing things on the cheap back then Chris.

 

Sometimes things happen to be that way! About 6 or 7 years ago, the Mint sold the small bronze President medals for $2.25 each, and you could save about $15 if you bought the entire set which is what I did. It was a good thing, too, because a couple months later, they raised the price to $3.50 each.

Chris

 

Beautiful collection you have got going there Ken. Thanks for the excellent background on these. I've encountered them before but didn't know as much as I do now after reading your presentation. Excellent work.

 

Need a few

I need four to complete my set if anyone has some spares available. John

 

You kicked this old dog (thread) back to 'life' John? Thanks........

 

Probably shows how popular these are, but I hate incomplete sets. Need the spare book & holder I have?

 

Alas, no John. I'll leave them as they be (and as I remember collecting back in '76). Thanks for your consideration though and may a extend a hand of greeting in welcoming you to this forum?

 

And now the Mint charges $7.95 each for the 1 1/2" bronze medals!!!!!


I picked up one of these America's First Medals sets not too long ago from one of the local coin shop bid boards. Pretty cool to have all 11 of them in a nice holder w/ the book about medals and I figured $25 was a decent price for them even though I really didn't need them. I see the individual medals selling all the time for $5-$10 each so I felt it was a bargain!!

 

I have several of the America's First Medals that I got out of my B&M guy's junk box.
Each came in a plastic holder with a little informative pamphlet.
They are very well done and quite attractive.

 

Green,

You must have read my mind lol. I posted a topic in "sale" about have these and what the H to do with them.