1800 (ca. 1860) Captain Thomas Truxtun / USS Constellation vs. La Vengeance. Bronzed Copper. 57 mm. Julian NA-2. MS-66 BN (NGC).Beautiful deep mahogany-brown surfaces are satiny, smooth and solidly graded at the Gem Uncirculated level. A minor carbon spot at the lower right obverse border below Truxtuns shoulder is noted, but otherwise this piece borders on pristine. Struck from a U.S. Mint copy obverse and the original reverse, the latter exhibiting minor spalling throughout much of the design. 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, leaving collectors only this variety -- which still uses the original reverse -- or a far less desirable modern 20th century striking to fill this place in their cabinet. Notably, the Ford Collection did not include a Truxtun medal in any format.From our Americana Sale of February 2014, lot 49.
