EXTREMELY RARE 1812 STEPHEN DECATUR U.S.S. UNITED STATES VS HMS MACEDONIAN SILVER MEDAL.

EXTREMELY RARE 1812 STEPHEN DECATUR U.S.S. UNITED STATES VS HMS MACEDONIAN SILVER MEDAL. These medals made of silver were awarded to the Naval Officers for their action between the U.S.S. United States and the HMS Macedonian. Struck with the bust profile of Stephen Decatur, the description on the front reads “Stephanus Decatur Navarchus, Pugnis Pluribus, Victor”. Beneath the bust profile of Decatur in small print is “Furst.F.”. The reverse of the medal with a naval battle scene and it has an inscription which reads “Occidit Signum Hostile Sidera Surgunt Inter Sta. Uni. Nav. Ameri. Etmacedo. Nav. Amg. Die XXV Octobris MDCCCXII”. Beneath the naval scene is in fine print is the name “Furst. F.”. Julian NA-9. According to records there are only 50 of this extraordinarily rare silver medal produced and all were presented to officers involved in the named action. Only a handful are known to have survived and at least half of those are in private institutions, only a couple are known in public hands. This indeed is an extraordinary set of circumstances to have two of such a rare medal offered in the same auction, but it must be remembered that both have descended through the Stephen Decatur – Tobias Lear family. This specific medal is from the Decatur – Armsden branch of the family, the other which will be offered later in the sale is from another branch from the Lear-Decatur family. This rare medal depicts a bust of Commodore Stephen Decatur on the front and the reverse depicts two warships engaged in battle, the USS United States and the HMS Macedonian. This medal housed in a special fitted case from Bigelow & Kennard Co. of Boston. SIZE: Approx. 6-1/2cm. CONDITION: The front shows an abundance of very fine small soft dings in the field to the right and back of the Decatur bust. There are a few scattered other dings and scratches; all of which are soft. The reverse appears to be free of any of the previously mentioned soft dings however there are some scattered scratches, now very soft. The rim with a slight dent at about 11:00 near the front, there is still plenty of detail available however soft on high spots on both the front and the back. The back exhibits the typical faint fracture that exists on the lower portion of the genuine medals. We believe that the medal may have been taken to Bigelow & Kennard sometime in the 19th Century to have it carefully polished to soften the dings that I have mentioned previously and at that time this fitted case made for it. 9-97936-1 (10,000-20,000)

Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Winter 2010

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2104	$19,550.00	EXTREMELY RARE 1812 STEPHEN DECATUR U.S.S. UNITED STATES VS HMS MACEDONIAN SILVER MEDAL. These medals made of silver were awarded to the Naval Officers for their action between the U.S.S. United States and the HMS Macedonian. Struck with the bust profile of Stephen Decatur, the description on the front reads “Stephanus Decatur Navarchus, Pugnis Pluribus, Victor”. Beneath the bust profile of Decatur in small print is “Furst.F.”. The reverse of the medal with a naval battle scene and it has an inscription which reads “Occidit Signum Hostile Sidera Surgunt Inter Sta. Uni. Nav. Ameri. Etmacedo. Nav. Amg. Die XXV Octobris MDCCCXII”. Beneath the naval scene is in fine print is the name “Furst. F.”. Julian NA-9. According to records there are only 50 of this extraordinarily rare silver medal produced and all were presented to officers involved in the named action. Only a handful are known to have survived and at least half of those are in private institutions, only a couple are known in public hands. This indeed is an extraordinary set of circumstances to have two of such a rare medal offered in the same auction, but it must be remembered that both have descended through the Stephen Decatur – Tobias Lear family. This specific medal is from the Decatur – Armsden branch of the family, the other which will be offered later in the sale is from another branch from the Lear-Decatur family. This rare medal depicts a bust of Commodore Stephen Decatur on the front and the reverse depicts two warships engaged in battle, the USS United States and the HMS Macedonian. This medal housed in a special fitted case from Bigelow & Kennard Co. of Boston. SIZE: Approx. 6-1/2cm. CONDITION: The front shows an abundance of very fine small soft dings in the field to the right and back of the Decatur bust. There are a few scattered other dings and scratches; all of which are soft. The reverse appears to be free of any of the previously mentioned soft dings however there are some scattered scratches, now very soft. The rim with a slight dent at about 11:00 near the front, there is still plenty of detail available however soft on high spots on both the front and the back. The back exhibits the typical faint fracture that exists on the lower portion of the genuine medals. We believe that the medal may have been taken to Bigelow & Kennard sometime in the 19th Century to have it carefully polished to soften the dings that I have mentioned previously and at that time this fitted case made for it. 9-97936-1 (10,000-20,000) Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Winter 2010 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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