"During the early years of the Republic, Congress authorized the striking of medals to suitably award various individuals for their distinguished national service. The first of these was the famous "Washington Before Boston" medal which is generally listed under the Washington series. The great majority of the medals authorized and struck commemorated heroes of the Revolution and the War of 1812-15. Original impressions are rare, several extremely so.

In 1855, it was decided to manufacture "Restrikes" in bronze, at the Philadelphia mint, for sale to collectors and other interested individuals. This reflected a practice long prevalent at the Paris mint. Unfortunately, all the original dies were not available, and commencing in 1861, imitation or replica dies were cut in Philadelphia so as to complete the series. Early restrikes or impressions, of the Civil War period and later, can easily be distinguished by a "Bronzed" appearance. Late strikings imitate European practices and the examples available in recent years, at the Philadelphia mint, have a yellowish bronze appearance."