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United States Military Academy - Bust of Washington

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in American School Medals (currently in collection)

Struck by the U.S. Mint, 1866. Julian SC-56. Baker 346. Bronze. Diameter 27.5mm, 11.9 grams. Engraved by Paquet (signed Paquet F. under truncation of bust). Obverse: Bust of Washington facing left; UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY around. Reverse: ACADEMIC MERIT above and below an oblong octagon, within a closed, banded laurel wreath. One of 35 reportedly struck (10 gold, 10 silver, 15 bronze).

Provenance:

ex-Zabriskie Collection via Sotheby's auction and Stack's

According to Bob Julian, "These medals were especially ordered by George W. Cullum, who served as superintendent from September, 1864, until August, 1866. They were struck only in 1865 and 1866. The gold medals were awarded to seniors, silver medals to juniors, and bronze to sophomores. They were formally presented for the first time on February 9, 1866. Cullum's successor, Thomas G. Pitcher, ordered a few bronze medals in 1866. The Secretary of War issued an order forbidding such awards in August, 1866. All medals were suspended from a silk ribbon striped with equal widths of red, white and blue."

Item record created Oct. 15, 2008.
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item record in VRA Core 4.0