1777 (ca. 1785) Battle of Germantown Medal. Betts-556. Copper. EF-45 (PCGS).

44.4 mm. 459.6 grains. 2.4 - 3.0 mm thick. Holed for suspension, as issued. Smooth and even medium chocolate brown. An early strike, struck in the 18th century and almost certainly awarded to a veteran of the epochal battle that precedes the British capture of the Revolutionary seat at Philadelphia. Scattered light marks are seen, some worn old scratches noted below the reverse date, somewhat less worn but still ancient scratches present above GERM. On a piece like this, unlike some medals, the marks are actually helpful: this is a medal that was worn by a soldier, not kept in a mahogany cabinet by a collector. Copper Germantown medals are nearly as rare as silver ones, despite being struck over a far broader continuum of time. We last offered one in 2015, when an example from the John W. Adams Collection realized $11,750.

From the E Pluribus Unum Collection. Earlier from the Wayte Raymond estate; our (Stack's) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part XIV, May 2006, lot 167.