It's about 40mm. I'm thinking it's just a crude copy of the US Mint medal that was 55mm. Someone offered me $120 for it but I'm thinking it's worth about $10. Any information would be great.
Larry, have you asked Bill Jones on the NGC forums. I think he is big into 19th century presidential/political stuff. Chris
That's a medal that commemorates the Battle of the Thames, or Moraviantown, which occured Oct. 5, 1813 during the War of 1812. A decisive victory for the U.S. against the British, and was near what is now known as Chatham, Ontario, Upper Canada. This battle resulted in the death of the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, and the Native American coalition he led. Here is a link for one that sold for $230, in choice uncirculated condition, raw: http://legacy.stacks.com/Lot/ItemDetail/192104 Here's another link for Military Medals where I found the OPs: http://rhbantiques.com/MedalsMilitary.html According to the second website I linked, the originals were 65mm, bronzed copper. The first linked website has the specs at 65.4mm in diameter and 6.5mm thick. After looking at the OPs, and the images from rhbantiques.com, it does appear that the OPs is a copy and not an original. There are noticeable differences on the image of Harrison between the two. From rhbantiques.com. Compare these to the OPs and you can see the differences in the designs.
The Battle of the Thames was a key U.S. victory in the War of 1812; it took place in Ontario under the command of William Henry Harrison, who went on to become President several decades later. This medal has the look and feel of a very old piece, although it could be a contemporary counterfeit from the time of Harrison's Presidential campaign. I would not sell it until you have either an expert's opinion or a confirmed auction record. The "Resolution of Congress" of April 4, 1818 established new guidelines for the design of the U.S. flag, but I don't know what connection that might have with Harrison.
The OP's is an obvious fake as the obverse does not have the designer's name Furst. F., under Harrison's bust; for Moritz Furst.
Looks like I was way off on this one. Bill actually has one like it but his is in much better shape. This is what he had to say. Thanks everyone. "This is a William Henry Harrison presidential campaign piece that is listed in DeWitt / Sullivan as WHH 1836-1. It is listed as part of the 1836 campaign when Herrison was one of the also-rans who lost to Martin Van Buren, but I can tell you that these pieces were struck after that date as well perhaps before it. The piece in my collection was struck over an 1837 large cent with the undertype showing."
