1800 (ca. 1860) Captain Thomas Truxtun / USS Constellation vs. La Vengeance Naval Medal. Restrike. Julian NA-2. Copper, Bronzed. MS-65 (PCGS).57 mm. Struck from a U.S. Mint copy obverse and the original reverse, a marriage begun after the original obverse had coined but one gold and a handful of white metal specimens. The reverse exhibits minor spalling throughout much of the design, as typically seen. The obverse, however, is in the latest state that we have seen with a sizeable break inside the border at left, crack from Trustuns cheek up into hair behind the forehead, another vertically up into bust from its base, right field with heavy spalling, left with more minor spalling that extends into Trustuns nose. This is surely one of the final restrikes produced from these dies. Both sides exhibit deep, rich mahogany-brown patina to frosty, lightly reflective surfaces. Sharply struck and crisp, obverse field with a few minor blemishes, overall appearance pleasingly smooth during in hand viewing. A February 2007 article in <em>The Numismatist</em> by Neuzil, Vaccaro, and Creekman estimated that just 25 examples were known from this particular mid-19th century die marriage. Those struck from the original obverse are of the utmost rarity, as above, leaving collectors only this variety - which still uses the original reverse - or a modern 20th century striking to fill this place in their cabinet. Notably, the Ford collection did not include a Truxtun medal in any form.
