Lot 4100

Description

USA, Medal of Honor, Army type 1. Unnamed example. In an original case marked on lid lining for Wm. Wilson & Son, Philad. The case worn on exterior, otherwise fine, the medal uncirculated.

William Wilson & Son of Philadelphia was one of several firms that submitted designs to the Philadelphia Mint for the original Medal of Honor that had been requested by the Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles, during the early days of the American Civil War. William Wilson & Son's design was the one selected. This same design was also used by the Army but with a different suspension emblem, namely an eagle perched on crossed cannons and clutching a sabre in its talons, instead of an anchor. Together with details of the three Australian born recipients of the Medal of Honor, one received a Navy type and two the Army type 1 as offered here.