1861 Major Robert Anderson Defense of Fort Sumter Medal. By George Hampden Lovett, Published by Augustus B. Sage. Copper. Specimen-62 BN (PCGS). 70 mm. Obv: Detailed view of the bombardment of Fort Sumter, name SUMTER. above, dates APRIL 12 & 13 / 1861 below in exergue. Rev: Thick wreath with shield at bottom encloses inscription PRUDENS, FIDELIS ET AUDAX. INVICTAE, FIDELITATIS PRAEMIUM. / TO / MAJ. ROBERT ANDERSON, / U.S.A. / FROM THE CITIZENS OF / NEW YORK CITY, / AS A / SLIGHT TRIBUTE / TO HIS / PATRIOTISM. Signed G.H. LOVETT N. YORK / AUG. B. SAGE PUB. within wreath at bottom. A handsome and fully original piece, both sides exhibit rich golden-copper patina overall. The in hand appearance is smoother than one would expect for the assigned grade, although the soft satin finish is a bit subdued, and a few small spots in the expensive obverse field are noted. Sharply to fully struck throughout with strong eye appeal.The dies for this type were engraved by George Hampden Lovett, and the medals published by Augustus B. Sage. After his defense of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, the bombardment of which on April 12 and 13, 1861, marked the beginning of the Civil War, Major Anderson was carried to New York City by the steamer <em>Baltic</em>. He arrived there on the morning of April 18, widely celebrated by the citys residents. The many honors bestowed upon Major Anderson in the following days provided Augustus B. Sage with another opportunity to publish a metal struck from dies prepared by George Hampden Lovett. As with the Lovett-Sage Field medal, a single gold example of the Major Anderson-Fort Sumter medal was to be presented to its honoree. Major Andersons medal was to be paid for by subscriptions from private citizens, which were limited to 200 at $5/subscription, each contributor to receive a bronze example of the medal. Eighty-two subscriptions were immediately forthcoming, pointing to a mintage of at least that many examples in bronze. Other specimens were struck in silver, brass and white metal, all of which are rare. With the quality offered here, bronze specimens are at least scarce, and not all that far from rare themselves.
