One of the many U.S. Mint medals struck in the 19th century and cataloged by R.W. Julian is the 1838 Bicentennial of New Haven, Connecticut medal. Struck in both bronze and silver, both sides depict the major transformation of the Elm City, from its founding in 1638 by a company of 500 Puritan settlers to a major port city. This masterpiece from the U.S. Mint was designed by Charles Cushing Wright.
The obverse displays members of the settler company with Rev. John Davenport preaching to his followers below what can be presumed to be an elm tree. Members of the native Quinnipiack tribe look on and the ridges of South Mountain can be seen in the background. The words QUINNIPIACK and 1638 appear at the upper legend.
From this earliest scene, we flip the medal over to the reverse, which shows a vibrant urban environment. The foreground shows shipping in the harbor on the Long Island Sound, an early steam train laden with goods, and the many churches and buildings of Yale University in the background. NEW HAVEN and 1838 appear at the upper legend.
The biblical quote “The desert shall rejoice and blossom like the rose.” from Issah 35:1 frames the lower periphery on both sides.
This wonderful commemorative medal is graded MS-64 BN by NGC and is wonderfully preserved with a rich mahogany color overall. This medal has always been one of my personal favorites, having graduated in 2006 from Quinnipiac University, named after the Native American tribe that lived in New Haven County.
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