1846 The Mexican War / Loss of the Somers Medal. By Charles Cushing Wright. Julian NA-24. Silver. Unc Details--Cleaned (PCGS).56 mm. Plain edge. A more than respectable example of this classic Naval medal. Both sides are sharply struck with crisp detail to even the more intricate design elements. The surfaces, while subdued with faint hairlines from a long-ago cleaning, present quite well due to having been retoned in rich, even steely-charcoal. There are few sizeable marks, and most are confined to the expansive upper reverse field. Authorized by Congress on March 3, 1847, production of the Loss of the Somers medal did not commence until the fall of 1850. The original reverse die prepared by Wright contained an engraving error in the legend: PRO VITA AMERICANA PRESERVANDA (For Having Saved An American Life) instead of PRO VITIS AMERICANORUM CONSERVATIS (For Having Saved American Lives). When the error was discovered at the Navy Department, Wright was forced to prepare a completely new reverse die, which promptly cracked when being hardened at the Mint. Wright presumably prepared yet a third reverse die, from which the ordered 10 gold and 100 silver impressions were finally struck. These pieces were first offered for sale in 1861. This silver piece, from the properly prepared reverse die, would fit nicely into many specialized cabinets.
