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James Buchanan - Dr. Frederick Rose, Susquehanna


Image Information

Type Medal
Title James Buchanan - Dr. Frederick Rose, Susquehanna
Country United States
Side obverse
Composition gold
Diameter 75 mm
Weight
Description Alan V. Weinberg comments: This was the 1st Congressional gold medal given to a recipient outside the U.S. Military - this to a Royal Navy surgeon who boarded the yellow fever-wracked ship USS Susquehanna at Port Royal Jamaica and cared for its crew until the ship's arrival in NY. The USS Susquehanna, a sidewheel steamer much like the SS Central America, was one of the steamers that accompanied Matthew C. Perry to Kuribama during his 1st visit to Japan. It later served in the Civil War. For more than 100 yrs, this massive Congressionaly-awarded US mint medal was joined with its equally impressive massive handmade gold medal, subscribed for by members of the surviving crew of the Yellow Fever-wracked USS Susquehanna warship. Then these two medals were separated in a NYC auction. I acquired the roped border hand-engraved gold medal from the late Chas McSorley in the 70's. I always wanted to re-unite the two medals & fortuitously the gold Buchanan US Mint-struck medal, with its magnificent US Mint-made leather presentation case, with embossed images of coin motifs both sides, reappeared in a London sale. I acquired it & reunited the pair. In original case.

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Image Collection Alan V. Weinberg Collection (Lifesaving Medals)
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