U.S. DIPLOMATIC MEDAL
(Peace and Commerce Medal)

Barber, Charles (after Augustin Dupre): USA, 1876, Bronze, 67 mm
Obv: America, in the guise of an Indian princess, with accouterments of Commerce (bales) and Plenty (a cornucopia), welcoming Commerce (Mercury) to our shores.  In the background, the sea and a ship under full sail      TO PEACE AND COMMERCE
Exergue: IV JUL. MDCCLXXVI. C. BARBER. 1876.
Rev: Thirteen stars breaking through a cloud above the Great Seal of the United States [Eagle with breast shield clutching an olive branch in one claw and 13 spears in the other.  In its beak a scroll inscribed with the motto,  E PLURIBUS UNUM (One Out of Many)]     THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Signed:  DUPRE. F.
Mintage= 86
Ref: Julian 238/CM-15; Failor 258/635;  Loubat 115/19; Jaeger and Bowers 84/73

The original dies for the Diplomatic medal were executed by Dupre in 1790 and 1791. They were intended to be presented to certain diplomats.  Loubat states that two of these medals were presented  by Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State under President George Washington, to the Marquis de la Luzerne and to the Count de Moustier.  Barber, working at the U.S. Mint, prepared copy dies of the medal from lead proofs of the original medal sent from France.

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