1812 Captain Stephen Decatur, Jr. Medal. Bronzed Copper. 65 mm. Original Dies. Late 19th-Century Restrike. By Moritz Furst. Julian NA-9. MS-64BN (NGC).，Offered is a conservatively graded, deep mahogany specimen with no significant flaws in strike, planchet or finish. The rim around 10 oclock on the reverse has been carefully and neatly filed by Mint personnel contemporary to striking to efface rim cuds. The eventually fatal die crack extends through the reverse exergue up and into the smoke coming from the forward port guns of the <em>USS United States</em>. Only 150 pieces were coined from these original dies in this composition before the reverse die failed in 1881. This is a rare and attractive medal depicting the capture of the frigate <em>HMS Macedonian</em>. Housed in an impressive large size NGC holder.
