1861 New York Chamber of Commerce Adam J. Slemmer - Fort Pickens Medal. Third Class. By Charles Muller. Copper Shells. MS-67 BN (NGC).
87.9 mm. Obv: Bearded head left of Union defender of Fort Pickens, which guarded the harbor of Pensacola, Florida. Rev: Union flag flies over fort, inscriptions THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, NEW YORK, HONORS THE DEFENDERS OF FORT PICKENS above, FAR OFF BUT FAITHFUL below, signed MULLER F below fort. An important but orphaned medal, unlisted in most conventional references, but without question the most important Florida-related medal of the Civil War or anytime since. One of just 12 produced in this size using an electrotype process, the medal features the portrait of Lieutenant Adam J. Slemmer, who commanded a valiant January 1861 defense of the Union-held fort overlooking Pensacola Bay. Slemmer himself was awarded a six-inch version (First Class) by the New York Chamber of Commerce, his second in command received a four inch version (Second Class), and this three and a half inch version (Third Class) was presented to non-commissioned officers present at the defense of Fort Pickens. A further 39 pieces in a smaller two and a half inch size (Fourth Class) were created for enlisted men. Slemmer's unique First Class medal is in the collection of the American Numismatic Society, while the unique Second Class medal is owned by Princeton University. Those two medals use a distinctive reverse type that is found on those medals alone, along with a unique framed presentation set that includes unassembled shells of the Pickens and related Col. Robert Anderson - Fort Sumter medals in each different size. The reverse depicts Fort Pickens in three-dimensional high relief only made possible by this medal's innovative production. Slemmer's defense of Fort Pickens preceded the taking of Fort Sumter by three months, and soon he and Col. Robert Anderson were considered two of a kind. A June 1861 resolution by the New York Chamber of Commerce authorized the medals for Col. Anderson and Lt. Pickens. A total of 168 medals were produced to honor the two men, at a cost to the Chamber of $1,500, according to the minutes of their October 1861 meeting. The Fort Pickens medal was first illustrated in Benson Lossing's 1866 Pictorial History of the Civil War. Since then, it is infrequently encountered in the marketplace. This example is choice and problem free, with rich chocolate brown surfaces devoid of any marks or corrosion. Its condition would be impossible to surpass, as suggested by the grade assigned. It is accompanied by its original black leatherette box, which is nearly complete, separated into two lids and a center section, each lined in green felt. The claps are present and functional. While the Robert Anderson - Fort Sumter medals by Muller receive more collector attention, this medal is just as rare and carries rich historical significance. Fort Pickens was one of just four forts to remain in Union hands in Confederate states. Two others, Fort Taylor and Fort Jefferson, were in Florida, and Fort Monroe was in Hampton, Virginia. (Total: 1 medal; 1 case)