 Major General Ulysses S. Grant. The Vicksburg Medal. J.MI.29, L.73. Silver. 102.2 mm. 8,461.4 gns. (547.5 gms.). Rims 10.2 - 10.6 mm. thick. A magnificent, massive U.S. Mint medal. Both the obverse and reverse are lightly toned in pale silver gray with delicate rose, champagne, and pale blue iridescence. The fields are bright, somewhat reflective and have a semi-prooflike appearance. The centers are remarkably sharply struck for such a massive, thick medal. The folds in Grant's uniform are sharp and clear, all of his hair detail is bold, and even the smaller curls in his beard are visible without the aid of magnification. On the reverse (one of the finest of all contemporary Civil War medals) the finer detail in the background of embattled Vicksburg and the banks of the Mississippi are clear and sharp. The watery motif within the inner border on which float quaint armed sidewheelers is sharp, clear, and each wave line is distinct.
A remarkable tour de force for any mint, made more exciting by the fact that this is both a rare Civil War artifact and a great Grant portrait piece. Extremely rare: over the years we have handled bronzed copper examples and an occasional gutta percha piece. There is even one known in leather. This is the first one struck in silver the cataloguer recalls seeing. The medal may well be unique in this metal. Carlson recorded only one struck in silver. Obverse: bust of Grant; reverse: allegorical scene, names of victories. The dies were prepared by Anthony C. Paquet, who received $2,200 for his work. The gold medal made for Grant was struck in January, 1865 and is now in the National Numismatic Collection.
Ex Ralph Goldstone on November 2, 1972.
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