Diplomatic Medal, United States, 1876 (U.S. Mint copy dies)

One (1) Diplomatic medal (Comitia Americana)

United States (France), 1876

Obverse Image: The Great Seal of the United States: Eagle with wings spread holding escutcheon with vertical and horizontal stripes, holding a banner in its beak; above are thirteen six-pointed stars centered in a radiant glory; the eagle holds a palm branch in its right talon and a thirteen arrow bundle in the left.

Obverse Text: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / E PLURIBUS UNUM

Reverse Image: America, represented as a seated Indian queen, receives in her left hand a cornucopia from Mercury who stands to her right, representing Commerce; behind this scene are symbols of trade and the ocean on which the bow of a ship is visible.

Reverse Text: TO PEACE AND COMMERCE / IV JUL. MDCCLXXVI / C. BARBER / DUPRE, F. / 1876

General Information: The 1792 Diplomatic Medal was recreated for America's Centennial celebration in 1876, U.S. Mint copy dies.

This medal is a re-cast of the “To Peace and Commerce” Diplomatic Medal of 1792, originally commissioned by Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson as a presentation gift to foreign diplomats. The medal was later recast in 1876 for the American Centennial using the original lead proof by French sculptor and engraver, Augustin Dupre. The dies for the 1876 edition were engraved by Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, Charles E. Barber. The obverse of the medal features the Great Seal of the United States, and the reverse features an allegory of America rendered as a seated Native American woman taking a cornucopia from the outstretched hand of Mercury, who symbolizes trade.