1794 Joseph Priestlys Arrival In America Medal. Bronze. 54 mm. Unlisted variety similar to Eimer-857 and BHM-381. Choice About Uncirculated.Obv: draped bust of Priestley to the right, his name in Latin to either side. Signed Phipson F. below the bust. Rev: Central inscription in 6 lines APR: VIII / BRITTANIAE / LITORA LINQUENS / COLUMBIAM ADVENIT / JUNI IV / MDCCXCIV (Leaving the shores of Britain on April 8, he reached America June 4, 1794). An outer inscription - which is different from the listed variety (MAGNUS CHRISTIANUS PHILOSOPHUS - A great Christian philosopher) reads I DECUS I NOSTRUM MELIORIBUS UTERE FATIS, which is actually a quote from The Aeneid by Virgil that translates (within the context of the story) to "Born to better fates than I have found." Certainly a more poignant and fitting sentiment than the usual inscription it replaces, in that Priestley, already a world renown scientist, philosopher and theologian (he discovered the element oxygen, wrote more than 150 works on science, education, spirituality and social issues, and was co-founder of the Unitarian Church) fled from England to America after his home and church (along with those of other dissenters) were burned to the ground by governmentally supported mobs of rioters. He settled in Pennsylvania and spent his final 10 years continuing his works, although he was no longer in the forefront of discovery which was still going on in Europe. In one of his final books, <em>General History of the Christian Church</em>, the dedication was to President Jefferson - who he knew well - writing "it is now only that I can say I see nothing to fear from the hand of power, the government under which I live being for the first time truly favorable to me."Red-brown surfaces, a bit porous in spots, with areas of original mint red on both sides. Weakly struck over his last name on the obverse, and in the corresponding area near the rim on the reverse, where a few letters are difficult to read. Still an attractive and very significant medal.
