UNITED STATES: AE medal, 1815, Julian-NA-5, 65mm bronze medal by Moritz Fürst for the Victory of Captain James Biddle in the Naval Battle of the USS Hornet vs. HMS Penguin; THE CONGRESS OF THE U.S. TO CAPT. JAMES BIDDLE. / FOR HIS GALLANTRY GOOD CONDUCT AND SERVICES around bust of Biddle facing right, FURST. F. below bust // CAPTURE OF THE BRITISH SHIP PENGUIN / BY THE U.S. SHIP HORNET around view of the USS Hornet and HMS Penguin with island in the background, below OFF TRISTAN D'ACUNHA MARCH XXIII MDCCCXV, FURST. F. below scene, Almost Unc to Unc. On March 23, 1815 USS Hornet captured HMS Penguin in a short battle off Tristan da Cunha. It was one of several engagements that took place after the War of 1812 had ended, and was the final action between British and American forces. The American gunnery was far more effective than the British, despite the two vessels being virtually identical in strength.Moritz (Fuerst) Fürst (1782–1840), was an early U.S. medalist. Fürst was born near Pressburg (Bratislava) of Jewish-Slovak origin, and after immigrating to the United States in 1807, he worked as an engraver for the United States Mint in Philadelphia from 1812 to 1839. He received quick recognition for his patriotic commemoratives and portraits. This medal was struck officially from original dies circa 1817.

Estimate: USD 200 - 300