Manila Bay Medal (for USS Olympia)

CATEGORY: Version

SKU: 02.USA.0209.101.01.004

Estimated market value:

$5,250 USD

  • Manila Bay Medal (for USS Olympia)
  • Manila Bay Medal (for USS Olympia) Reverse

Estimated market value:

$5,250 USD

Attributes

  • Country
    United States
  • Makers
    Tiffany & Co., New York City
  • Composition
    Bronze
  • Inscription
    Obv: THE GIFT OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE ASIATIC SQUADRON UNDER THE COMMAND OF COMMODORE GEORGE DEWEY Rev: IN MEMORY OF THE VICTORY OF MANILA BAY MAY 1 USS OLYMPIA 1898
  • Size
    45.5mm
  • Version Remarks
    This example was sold by eMedals Inc. for $5,250 USD in 2018.

Physical Description and Item Details


United States. A Tiffany-Made Manila Bay Medal (Dewey Medal) to Apprentice I Class Kelley, USS Olympia, USN

In bronze, struck by Tiffany & Company, engraved "THOMAS J. KELLEY, APPRENTICE, 1st CLASS." on the edge, the obverse illustrating the right-facing bust of Commodore George Dewey, the bust framed by the inscription "THE GIFT OF THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE ASIATIC SQUADRON UNDER THE COMMAND OF COMMODORE GEORGE DEWEY", an anchor bearing laurel leaves above a star at the right and engraver marked "D.C. FRENCH 1898" (artist Daniel Chester French, who sculpted the statue of a seated Lincoln in Washington's Lincoln Memorial and the Minuteman statue at Concord, Massachusetts), reverse illustrating a shirtless sailor sitting upon a gun, surrounded by the inscription "IN MEMORY OF THE VICTORY OF MANILA BAY / MAY 1 1898", with the sailor's right foot resting upon a plaque inscribed "U.S.S. OLYMPIA" (the name of Kelley's vessel), measuring 46 mm in diameter, exhibiting contact marks, the medal suspended from a hanger bearing an spread-winged eagle with icons on either side, original frayed ribbon, very fine.

History


The Manila Bay Medal, also known as the Dewey Medal, was established by Act of Congress on June 3, 1898, in commemoration of Dewey's defeat of the Spanish Navy at Manila Bay. The Bronze Medal was presented to Navy and Marine Corps personnel who served on 1 out of 7 vessels under the command of Admiral Dewey in the battle of Maila Bay. The Medal was also presented to Admiral Dewey.

The Medal is engraved on the rim with the recipient's details.

There are 7 versions of the Medal which vary by the reverse inscription of the vessel the recognized recipient served on.

There may be additional versions of the Medal which vary by composition.

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