Massive Ulysses Grant Vicksburg Victory Medal Julian MI-29 NGC Mint State-64

Lot 288

About Seller

Early American History Auctions

P.O. Box 3507
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
United States

Bid Increments

Price	Bid Increment
$0	$10
$200	$20
$300	$25
$500	$50
$1,000	$100
$2,000	$200
$3,000	$250
$5,000	$500
$10,000	$1,000
$20,000	$2,000
$30,000	$2,500
$50,000	$5,000
$100,000	$10,000
$200,000	$20,000
$300,000	$25,000
$500,000	$50,000

About Auction

A Revolutionary Numismatic Auction by Early American History Auctions

Live

A Revolutionary Numismatic Auction

By Early American History Auctions

Jul 24, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-07-24 12:00:00 2021-07-24 12:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : A Revolutionary Numismatic Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/early-american-history-auctions/a-revolutionary-numismatic-auction-7186 A Revolutionary Numismatic Auction Early American History Auctions auctions@earlyamerican.com

View Full Catalog (337)

Lot Description

Medals
Huge Ulysses Grant Vicksburg Victory Medal NGC MS-64
c. 1863 Civil War Period, Major General Ulysses S. Grant "Vicksburg Victory" Medal, Massive 103 mm, Yellow Bronze, Restrike, Julian MI-29, NGC graded Mint State-64.
103 mm. Julian MI-29. Medals of this type were originally awarded by Resolution of Congress on December 17, 1863, for General Ulysses S. Grant's capture of Confederate held Vicksburg. This is one of the largest medals struck by the Philadelphia U.S. Mint. A central profile high-relief bust of General Grant is shown in profile facing left. The three-dimensional, high relief details on this medal are simply amazing. The deep bronze finish on the present example confirms it as an early c. 1900 restrike. One example, struck using over a pound of gold and housed in an ornate presentation box was presented to General Grant, and that example is now in the National Numismatic Collection of the Smithsonian Institution. This example is sharply struck, warmly and evenly toned in rich olive-bronze color, just a whisper away from a full Gem Mint State rating. Minor tone spots at the letters MB in DECEMBER and within the lower left portion of the wreath, yet do not detract from the overall; choice visual appearance.
The siege of Vicksburg (May 18 - July 4, 1863) was the final major military action in the Vicksburg campaign of the American Civil War. In a series of maneuvers, Union Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his Army of the Tennessee crossed the Mississippi River and drove the Confederate Army of Mississippi, led by Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton, into the defensive lines surrounding the fortress city of Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Vicksburg was the last major Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River; therefore, capturing it completed the second part of the Northern strategy, the Anaconda Plan. When two major assaults against the Confederate fortifications, on May 19 and 22, were repulsed with heavy casualties, Grant decided to besiege the city beginning on May 25. After holding out for more than forty days, with their supplies nearly gone, the garrison surrendered on July 4.
The successful ending of the Vicksburg campaign significantly degraded the ability of the Confederacy to maintain its war effort. This action, combined with the surrender of the down-river Port Hudson to Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks on July 9, yielded command of the Mississippi River to the Union forces, who would hold it for the rest of the conflict.
The Confederate surrender on July 4, 1863, is sometimes considered, when combined with Gen. Robert E. Lee's defeat at Gettysburg by Maj. Gen. George Meade the previous day, the turning point of the war. It cut off the Trans-Mississippi Department (containing the states of Arkansas, Texas and part of Louisiana) from the rest of the Confederate States, effectively splitting the Confederacy in two for the rest of the war.
Shipping Info
- Early American provides in-house worldwide shipping. Please contact us directly if you have questions about your specific shipping requirements.
Buyer's Premium
- 23.00 %