THE ULYSSES S. GRANT MEDAL FOR VICKSBURG

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V24 2021 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 24, Number 1, January 4, 2021, Article 11

Last week Len Augsburger wrote about a massive (presumably bronze) medal of U.S. Grant struck at the U.S. Mint in 1894. An example had been struck in gold in 1865. While the whereabouts of the Sellers edge-inscribed 1894 bronze example is still unknown, the gold one is in the Smithsonian Institution. -Editor

"Regarding the massive 4" diameter gold Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to Gen'l Ulysses Grant for his 1863 Vicksburg Civil War victory, I have actually held this raw in my hand back in 1999. It was stored unseen in a metal cabinet drawer on the 4th floor vault room of the Smithsonian. It rested in a large, dark polished wood box with three-dimensional gold angels on the lid which, when opened, mechanically lifted up the medal to the viewer. It had been donated to the S.I. by Grant's family along with his sword. The medal is now is exhibited sans its impressive custom box (alas - the presentation box is as impressive as the gold medal) behind thick glass in the same massive display as Grant's stuffed horse! "

Thanks! I was unable to come up with a photo of this exhibit, however. I also came up empty searching the Smithsonian collection catalog for either the horse or the medal. There are quite a number of Grant medals in the collection and I was unable to isolate this particular one. However, I was able to locate some relevant images elsewhere. Rather than the National Numismatic Collection, the piece is in the Armed Forces History collection. -Editor

Physical Description
Presentation box of ebony and gold with commemorative medal of well over a pound of gold. On the obverse is a bust of Ulysses S. Grant to left with legend, "MAJOR GENERAL ULYSSES S. GRANT / JOINT RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS / DECEMBER 17. 1863" Thirteen stars and an ornate wreath surround the design.

Specific History
This Presentation medal was given to General Ulysses S. Grant in commemoration of his victories during the Vicksburg Campaign. It was presented by the Congress of the United States.

To read the complete article, see:
Grant's Vicksburg Victory Medal (https://amhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/collection/object.asp?ID=284)

Rare Mint State Large-Size 1863 Ulysses S. Grant
Vicksburg U.S. Mint Medal, Julian-MI-29

Rare Civil War 1863 Ulysses S. Grant Mint Medal, Julian-MI-29, Large Size. Bronzed copper, 105 mm, 10 mm thick, 502 gm. An impressive example of this rare Civil War-era medal, dated December 17, 1863. Obv. bust left, MAJOR GENERAL ULYSSES S. GRANT / JOINT RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS / (date), ornate double-ringed border. ATROBUS D. and PAQUET F. below truncation. Rev. Commerce looking down at views of Vicksburg and Chattanooga, separated by the trophies of war. She bears a shield labeled DONELSON. Designed by Anthony C. Paquet, this piece is technically a medallion (defined as more than three inches in diameter) since it is more than four inches thick. A beautiful example, essentially as made, but with a couple of nicks on the high points of the shoulder of Grant's bust and the forehead. Milk-chocolate, lustrous surfaces with no singular impairments otherwise.

"In that same Smithsonian cabinet drawer was a similar box containing a General Winfield Scott Mexican War 90mm Congressional gold Medal of Honor (Julian MI 26) that also mechanically lifted up when the box lid was opened. It was almost as visually astounding as the gold 105mm Grant (MI 29). Strangely the two presentation boxes appeared to be constructed by the same firm, but presumably in 1849 for Scott and then again in 1865 for Grant, a 16 year span.

Stack's auctioned the 90mm MOH gold Zachary Taylor Mexican War medal (Julian MI 24) in a custom silver round case some years ago, I believe during the Norweb auction, to a phone bidder for approx $450K. I was there and wanted it but... John Kraljevich handled the bidder's phone and told me the bidder wanted it only because it had been struck with newly mined California gold!"