Collection Highlights
Framed leaves from Abraham Lincoln's bier
1865
Z.2603
Albumen photograph, plant material, ink, silk ribbon, wood gilding
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Medal
Object name
Medal
Date
1856
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Overall: 3/8 x 2 5/8 in. ( 1 x 6.7 cm )
Silver Weight: 4 oz (troy) 15 dwt (148 g)
Description
Struck silver medal; circular medal with a raised profile bust of Commodore Matthew Perry with the inscription, "COMMODORE M. C. PERRY." in roman letters around the edge on the obverse; on the reverse in an oak leaf and laurel garland, "PRESENTED/ TO/ COM. M. C. PERRY/ SPECIAL MINISTER FROM THE/ U.S.A./ BY MERCHANTS OF BOSTON./ IN TOKEN OF THEIR APPRECIATION/ OF HIS SERVICES IN NEGOTIATING/ THE TREATY WITH JAPAN WITH JAPAN/ SIGNED AT YOKU-HAMA./ MARCH 31./ AND WITH LEW CHEW/ AT NAPA. JULY 11./ 1854./ MISSISSIPPI" in roman letters; maker's mark below Perry's bust.
Credit Line
Gift of Honorable Perry Belmont
Object Number
1936.410
Marks
around the edge on the obverse: "COMMODORE M. C. PERRY." in roman letters
on the reverse: in an oak leaf and laurel garland, "PRESENTED/ TO/ COM. M. C. PERRY/ SPECIAL MINISTER FROM THE/ U.S.A./ BY MERCHANTS OF BOSTON./ IN TOKEN OF THEIR APPRECIATION/ OF HIS SERVICES IN NEGOTIATING/ THE TREATY WITH JAPAN WITH JAPAN/ SIGNED AT YOKU-HAMA./ MARCH 31./ AND WITH LEW CHEW/ AT NAPA. JULY 11./ 1854./ MISSISSIPPI" in roman letters
cast: below Perry's bust: "F. N. MITCHELL" in roman letters
Gallery Label
This medal was struck in 1856 at the U.S. Mint at the request of Thomas B. Curtis and other Boston merchants. One gold medal, 20 silver, and 104 bronze medals were struck. Engraver Francis N. Mitchell's bust of Perry was based on a bas-relief prepared by sculptor Horatio Greenough after a photograph.
Bibliography
R.W. Julian, "Medals of the United States Mint: The First Century, 1792-1892," (1972), p. 218.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
