The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876

A meticulous 19th-century study of one hundred years of American history told through its most coveted symbols of honor. J.F. Loubat traces the story of the United States through the medals commissioned to commemorate its pivotal moments: Revolutionary War victories, presidential inaugurations, military campaigns, and national expositions. These were not mere trinkets but serious expressions of national identity, awarded to veterans, statesmen, and heroes who had served the republic. Loubat pays particular attention to the French engravers whose artistic vision shaped these commemorative pieces, revealing how European craftsmanship merged with American ideals to create objects of lasting historical and aesthetic significance. For collectors, historians, and anyone fascinated by the material culture of nation-building, this volume offers an unusual window into how early Americans chose to remember their own history.