A simply beautiful medal, further, <strong>the only silver specimen we have record of selling at auction since 1999</strong>. Highly attractive with hints of rich gold, pale blue and violet iridescence over highly reflective, otherwise light gray surfaces. Full reflectivity remains in the fields. Well preserved in all regards with just the lightest occasional hairline, a few very minor marks, and a mere whisper of cabinet friction. As often seen with a medal of this dramatic size, some minor rim disturbances are present, including two bruises outside MAJORI on the reverse, a bruise under the date, and some additional minor nicks in the raised rim.One of the rarest and most interesting entries in the War of 1812 naval series, this is the only one that actually depicts a boarding party crossing from a victorious ship to capture the vanquished. The boarding party is depicted with swords drawn at the central reverse in a dynamic, if tiny display. Ford lacked this medal in any composition. The only appearances of a silver specimen we can locate are in our (Bowers and Merenas) Dreyfuss sale and our (Stacks) sale of June 1999, both of which are of the exact same specimen offered here. There is another known to reside in a private collection that will likely not be on the market for decades. Carlsons 1986 study found no appearances of this rarity. This medal combines great rarity with beauty and precise engraving in a highly desirable package. One of the stars of the medal offerings in this sale.，，，From our (Bowers and Merenas) sale of the Dreyfuss Collection, April 1986, lot 5318; our (Stacks) June Sale of 1999, lot 1745; our (Stacks) Americana Sale of January 2009, lot 5568. Lot tag for 2009 sale and paper envelope with attribution notes included.
