Bowers on collecting: American medals to the fore — Pierre Eugène du Simitière

By Q. David Bowers

Welcome to the latest installment in my series on the subject. I highlight some of those featured in the best-selling Whitman book, 100 Greatest American Medals and Tokens. This week I circle around to feature an artist and polymath who hardly anyone in numismatics had heard of until a study. The Eagle That Is Forgotten: Pierre Eugène du Simitière, Founding Father of American Numismatics, by Joel J. Orosz, was published in 1988. That was 30 years ago. Today he is a familiar figure to historians. As to his medal being highlighted someday, read on. . .

Here is what was said in the 100 Greatest book, where he was featured in the introductory pages:

Pierre Eugène du Simitière

Raising the Liberty Pole in New York City, a 1770 pen and ink drawing by Simitiere.

The earliest numismatically inclined person in America for whom we have a fairly detailed biographical record was Swiss-born Pierre Eugène du Simitière (1737-1784), who settled in Philadelphia by 1774.  Although he has no entry in the 100 Greatest sweepstakes, a mention of him here is essential to American medallic history.

Not only did Du Simitière collect medals, but he was also involved in their production. On March 25, 1776, the Continental Congress passed this resolution:

That the thanks of this Congress in their own name and in the name of the thirteen united colonies whom they represent, be presented to his Excellency Gen. Washington and the officers and soldiers under his command for their wise and spirited conduct in the siege and acquisition of Boston; that a medal of gold be struck in commemoration of this great event and presented to his Excellency; and that a committee of three be appointed to prepare a letter of thanks and a proper device for the medal.

The original design for the Great Seal, by Simitiere.

Accordingly, du Simitière prepared a sketch depicting Washington standing with a figure of the goddess Liberty or Columbia, overlooking Boston Harbor. On November 29, 1776, Congress “Paid P.E. DuSimitiere for designing, making and drawing a medal for General Washington, $32.” It was never used. Congress finally implemented the resolution in 1786, by placing an order for medals with the Paris Mint. Ignoring the work that du Simitière had done, French engraver Pierre Simon Duvivier cut dies from designs provided by the Royal Academy of Inscriptions and Belles Lettres. He adapted his portrait of Washington from the well-known bust from life by Jean Antoine Houdon, made at Mount Vernon in October 1785. This is the famous Washington Before Boston medal.

Bronze re-strike of the 1776 Washington Before Boston medal.

Although his Washington-Boston medal was not to be, Du Simitière seems to have designed and made a medal that was actually used in the Revolutionary War. A newspaper account related on August 12, 1776:

The Congress has struck a number of silver and copper medals, which are distributed among the officers of the army, who wear them constantly. On one side are two vases swimming on the water, with the motto ‘Frangimur si collidimur’; on the other is an emblematical device; four hands clinched together and a dove over them, beneath them is a serpent cut in pieces. These medals were designed or executed by P.E. DuSimitiere.

Perhaps with the hope that an example would come to light someday, C. Wyllys Betts in his 1894 posthumous book assigned 550 as the number for this medal. Should one ever be found, it would create a numismatic sensation. Surely, if it existed now, it would be honored among the 100 Greatest.


From this beginning arose many illustrious medals. To honor and commemorate the heroes and triumphs of the Revolutionary War, Congress authorized a dozen medals to be struck, the Comitia Americana (“American Congress”) series that is a focal point of numismatic interest today (numbers 2, 35, and 56 in the 100 Greatest Medals and Tokens book). Commissions for most of these were placed with and executed at the Paris Mint. In 1800, U.S.S. Constellation captain Thomas Truxton’s victory highlighted the undeclared war with France, and resulted in a fine medal (No. 91). The War of 1812 medals, struck at the Philadelphia Mint from dies by John Reich and Moritz Fürst, are another impressive series (No. 43).

If you wish to reach out to me for commentary, questions, or suggestions, I can be contacted via e-mail at qdbarchive@metrocast.net.

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Comments

  1. KEITHSTER says

    Nice Medal But still would like to see the Mint redo the Presidential Peace Medals in the 5ozers’ With all this talk even though it was not on the survey? Still may get a chance someday? Well Good Luck All”>”>”><"<"<"

  2. Tom says

    $3107.50 ? I’m sure the price is worth it, right? Maybe the Mint is using the fancy satin in their new display boxes .

  3. cagcrisp says

    Just how Dismal are Sales of the American Eagle Gold Bullion in 2018?

    Last day of the month and a Total of 5,500 oz. of American Eagle Gold Bullion were reported Sold.

    That makes February 2018 the Worst month since June 2007….

  4. Sherril says

    What is the silver reverse proof set that you guys keep talking about????I can’t seem to find it on the mints publications for the year anywhere???

  5. TomP. in Va says

    OT

    On Feb. 20, cagcrisp reported that for the previous week ending Feb. 18, 15,802 2017 Buffaloes were sold.
    Feb. 19, earthling alerted us that 60 were left.
    On Feb. 27, cagcrisp reported that 15,828 were sold for an increase of 26. During that week on Feb.22, the coin’s status went to CU.
    So if 60 were available but only 26 sold, where are the missing 34? Were 60 sold but 34 returned to offset the count? And that would be returning a coin that is the new low mintage (versus the 2015 mintage of 16,591).

  6. KEITHSTER says

    TomP there is or was still 3 left on site as of now!!! Don’t have enough powder at the moment so don’t have to worry about it . But if you need one I would go now ? Good Luck<"<"<"

  7. Achmed says

    As long as the Buffalo 2017 proof is not declared “sold out” it is NOT the new low mintage. You should be aware that the Buffalo 2018 proof will be issued only the 10th of may. Until that date there are still ten weeks in which the mint could sell the Buffalo 2017 proof. Which they will probably do. see the AGE’s now offered for 2016, 2017 and 2018 for example.

  8. Darek says

    Couple days ago I received my Buffalo, and it is going back to the place which came from. The obverse was perfect, but reverse strike was very weak with the 1/4 of the inch scratch between the Buffalo legs. Just poor quality control. Some of my bulion coins look better than this one. I will try to do replacement one time if they still have it.

  9. Tom says

    Good luck to the Mint today. Selling an overpriced product with a set price in a declining market AND gold prices dropping to boot.
    They’ll need it.

  10. earthling says

    How is this possible – (2 ) 2017 Proof Buffaloes are available from the US Mint?

    Oh ! I guess I just answered my own question…. it’s the US Mint .

    🙈🙉🙊

  11. cagcrisp says

    From previous thread…

    @E Wis Black River, The 2017 1/4 oz. Gold has been on sale for 52 weeks and the product sale is Only 4,318…

    The product limit of 7,100 has Only been hit 1 time in the past 4 years…

  12. Achmed says

    Hallo cagcrisp,
    the correct number for the 0,25 oz. Gold AGE in proof 2017 is 9812 higher (from the 4 coin set)

  13. cagcrisp says

    @ Achmed, I am Aware of the 4 coins set.

    here is the quote form E Wis Black River, “Since the product limit of only 7,100 coins seems pretty low for the smaller gold proof coins, I put in an order as soon as the sale began for a one-quarter ounce coin”

    Since He was Only referring to the ‘product limit” I Only referred to the ‘product’.

    He Appears to be buying because he Thinks a product limit of 7,100 is attractive. I was pointing out that a product limit of 7,100 is actually High…

  14. Anthony says

    The 2018 AGE set is priced at almost $680 ABOVE spot gold price.
    Way too much premium for a bullion series so long in the tooth!
    Nothing special at all about the AGE series except that every year, for 30+ years, a change of date.
    Big hairy deal! 🙂

  15. cagcrisp says

    Product Limit on 1/4 oz. AGE Proof = 7,100
    Product Limit on 4 coin set AGE Proof = 18,000

    Total Maximum Mintage of 1/4 AGE Proof = 25,100

    The Mint will be Dancing in the Street if they sell 25,100 1/4 AGE Proofs…

  16. cagcrisp says

    @Steve, “Does any of you guys have any idea why Palladium is down $65 today?”

    The President of the United States of America

    25% tariffs on Steel + 10% tariffs on Aluminum…

  17. cagcrisp says

    @Steve, Look at the #1 use of palladium and then look at the stock prices of Ford (F) and General Motors (GM) and you will see why palladium is getting hit…

  18. earthling says

    Everything looks bad when Bitcoin is on the move. Bitcoin is the new Krack bringing Dreams of Instant Unlimited Wealth to all. Soon everyone will.be living on a Bench and fighting with the Geese, Pigeons, and Ducks for Breadcrumbs.

    But… they’ll all be happy because of the Bitcoin they own. 😄😄

    And when the Bubble finally pops?

    Who sez the Bubble needs to pop? Does a dream need to end? Only for those that ever wake up.

  19. says

    @cag….thanks as always for your response
    However, I still don’t understand why tariffs on steel and aluminum would cause Palladium to go down so much.
    This is one of those days where I’m wondering if this is a buying opportunity or are more downside
    coming.
    While I realize no one can really predict the future, I think you are a very smart man and I appreciate
    your insight and analysis of things.
    Thanks again, Steve

  20. cagcrisp says

    @Steve,

    1. Palladium’s #1 use is in the auto industry. IF you put a 25% tariff on steel and a 10% tariff on aluminum then the price of a new vehicle will go up (even if the tariffs on steel and aluminum would be minimal to overall cost).

    2. Trump continuing down the tariff road brings back the possibility of NAFTA going away and THAT would have a Major impact on the auto industry…

  21. cagcrisp says

    PMs are Currently making a comeback because the USD has turned Negative after being Stronger before the tariffs announcement..

    Currently both Gold and Silver are Positive because the USD is down .4%..

  22. says

    @cag…thanks. I understand that both Palladium and platinum are used in catalytic converters, I was just surprised by the downside in those metals. Again, I wonder if this is a buying opportunity or prices might go even lower. What do you think ? Thanks again, Steve

  23. cagcrisp says

    @Steve, I Think that Trump want a Weaker dollar , for various reasons, and with everything being equal, that would make precious metals go Up.

    Just keep in mind that China , Japan and the EU at some point will take a stand counter to Trump…

  24. TomP. in Va says

    The 2017 Buffalo is again CU.
    This piecemeal sales after an initial currently unavailable status change has happened with other products. I’ve wondered if this was due to re-sales of inspected returns (denied by the Mint I believe) or the gathering of products ‘loaned’ to other governmental departments ? This recent sales activity is not the same as last year’s end.
    For the Buffalo, there was a sudden sale of over 700 for the final 2 weeks in Nov. followed by a sale of 17, then 2 weeks of returns for a mint total of 15,184 reported on Dec. 26. After a month of inactivity, sales were resumed with an initial week of backorder status. As of Feb. 27, total mintage of 15,828 for an increase of 644 from the Dec. stoppage of sales. I believe the Mint has only minted the 2017 coins in 2017, that they have not crossed that calendar line. Which leads me to question why the long delay in sales? I’ve speculated that this action in part is due to ordering the Buffalo wooden boxes to a ‘in demand’ basis now because of a change for 2018 container design, i.e. the 2018 4 coin AGE set. My WAG for this year (lol).

  25. Larry says

    Unless you really like a 2018 AGE, there is no reason I can see to pay the mint $300.00 more than the any date ones available from APMEX.

  26. DBR says

    OT – I took the NAXION survey from the U.S. Mint today. I received the survey via email on Tuesday, February 27th. The survey offfered some comment boxes so that the survey taker could explain his/her preferred #1 choice of themes for gold fractionals or clad, silver, bronze coins and medals. I too recommend that anyone receiving the survey to take it and offer your input.

    It is mostly a customer satisfaction survey for U.S. Mint consumers. There was no question that asked what type of mint customer you might be (i.e. dealer, investor, numismatic hobbyist, corporate customer, etc.)

    As a hobbyist primarily, I wanted to weigh in on the appeal of future design themes and categories. Of course design theme preferences are highly subjective, so I won’t divulge my own preferences. But being a reader of this blog, my preferences definitely were influenced by the contributors to this blog, in a positive way.

    I’ve enjoyed this lull in my purchases from the mint. I spent a small fortune last year. It’s been very low key for me this year. But there’s a few items that have piqued my interest. The 2018 RP Silver Set of course is a highlight for this year coming in summer.

    OT – I did want to weigh in on the prospect of Baby Boomer collectors selling their collections and flooding the supply of coins. I’m not a Boomer. I guess it’s always a possibility that Boomers will unload their collections but here’s the catch. I don’t think it’s easy or attractive for a modest collector to sell his/her collection! For that reason I think many people keep their collections and pass them down to the next generation.

    I know readers here have mentioned sites and services who will help collectors sell and liquidate their holdings, but these options are not common knowledge and it’s not clear who’s the best of breed in that industry.

    Now if someone could capitalize on that market space of auctions for the common person, advertise and get the word out among all coin enthusiasts, then yes, Boomers might be encouraged to sell collections. I’m no expert but the prevailing attitude for me is “Why sell your hard earned collection under pressure to a bunch of lowballing vultures looking to take advantage of someone who can’t negotiate a sell thus preventing receiving what the collection is actually worth, versus what the vultures are willing to pay?”

    It takes real planning and time to properly dispose of one’s collection. That is especially true if there is not going to be a demand for the lion’s share of U.S. circulated coins minted in the last 100 years. Only the real gems in a collection are worth anything imho. This may be an outrageous thing to suggest but demand for the obvious glut of U.S. coins could be increased if a lot of the poorest specimens of very common coins were melted. Quite frankly even ugly proofs and subpar mint sets could disappear and no one would care. It was done with Morgans. Now, I know there are laws against this sort of thing I believe; something about the wanton destruction and defacing of U.S. currency?

    Apparently only the government can destroy our currency wholesale. I see coin dealers hawking bags and bags of very poor quality coins. Sure it’s money with face value but hardly any appeal to anyone but child collectors. But I’m told we shouldn’t count on new generations of child coin collectors taking shape. So who’s gonna want bags and bags of ugly circulated common coins? There’s no rarities left in these bags, of that we can be assured.

  27. KCSO says

    Tom says
    MARCH 1, 2018 AT 12:22 PM

    Good luck to the Mint today. Selling an overpriced product with a set price in a declining market AND gold prices dropping to boot.
    They’ll need it.

    I’ll Second That, Tom!

  28. KCSO says

    Steve says
    MARCH 1, 2018 AT 1:54 PM

    Does any of you guys have any idea why Palladium is down $65 today?. Thank you

    1. Today – No
    2. Pd is a very thinly traded market
    3. Pd is sourced from very Limit SMALL regions
    4. Pd market is susceptible to geopolitical risks
    5. Pd has been all over the place in the past 90 days

    Among AU, AG, & PGM’s.., PD is the volatile.., I don’t have an answer, though I’m on that Pd Proof.., so a big drop is Okay with me! 🙂

  29. Tom says

    President Trump imposing tariffs today basically erased the working man’s tax break he just ” gave ” us.

  30. says

    Thanks KSCO for your input. Palladium is 15 times rarer than platinum and 30 times rarer than gold
    .
    I guess I am just a dang fool, but I went ahead and bought another Russian Ballerina coin. I may kick myself in the ass but again i have no idea wher pricess may go.
    Again, as we always say…buy what you like. These coins are so beautiful…i look at them sorta like stocks…ill hold on to them and see how they are doing 10 years from now

  31. Sherril says

    I have one of the $10.00 gold eagles from a few years ago(the only year they were made)How long should I hold on to it and what do you think the current value of it is?

  32. Barry says

    The South African parliament has recently voted to take land ( without compensation ) from white landowners and redistribute it to the black population. Capetown also has a major water shortage. Being that S. Africa is a major palladium / platinum producer it is yet to be seen if mining operations or the metal prices will be affected.

  33. KCSO says

    Tom says
    MARCH 1, 2018 AT 6:31 PM

    President Trump imposing tariffs today basically erased the working man’s tax break he just ” gave ” us.

    No Tom, you’re Wrong..,

    Go back and listen to Cramer’s podcast from this evening…

  34. So Krates says

    “Go back and listen to Cramer’s podcast from this evening…”

    And then do the opposite

  35. KCSO says

    So Krates says
    MARCH 1, 2018 AT 10:40 PM

    “Go back and listen to Cramer’s podcast from this evening…”

    And then do the opposite

    You Socialist losers crack me up..,

    And your strategy for the next 30, 90, 180 day is..????

    Lay it out there Clown Boy.., I’m all ears..,

  36. Jerry Diekmann says

    KCSO – if Cramer was as smart with his predictions as he thinks he is, he would have become a multi-millionaire by now. But he’s still working as a frenetic hawker of stocks. IMO, I don’t think his record is such that he deserves the praise some people give him. So Krates might agree with me. The Motley Fool brothers have picked much better stocks over time than Cramer, and they have turned it into a thriving business. Cramer on stocks is not all that much different than that Mike guy on HSN on coins.

  37. datadave says

    On topic – Thanks David for a very nice historical article. It makes me realize that art and the creation of coins and medals have always been mixed together. Also since metal is a durable medium, it gives people in the future a good clue about the society that made them.

  38. Daveinswfl says

    Cramer on stocks – not so good.
    Cramer on economics and business analysis – much better than average. He is a realist.

  39. Tom says

    I like Cramer. But he’s not going to be able to sell his theory to the normal working class . When they see a price increase on beer, a new car, etc. They will figure out that the extra money on their pay check buys less.

  40. cagcrisp says

    Trump tweeted on Friday that “trade wars are good, and easy to win.”

    Doubling Down.

    Clueless in Washington.

    Wait until corn and soybeans get tariffs put on them…

  41. cagcrisp says

    I’m a Hugh Fan of Cramer…

    There’s two sides of every trade and I’m on the opposite side of this trade…

    Don’t agree with him on the Tariffs issue…

  42. cagcrisp says

    I’ve been a fan of Gary Cohn.

    Cohn has been Against tariffs and I believe this could be the end of Cohn.

    Why would Cohn stay in an administration that his main reason for staying was to Prevent just what is Unraveling?…

  43. Tom says

    Mama just baked a fresh batch of cookies.
    Get your fresh 2017 Proof Gold Buffalo before they cool off.

  44. So Krates says

    “Socialist loser”, “patriot”, “clown boy”….name calling is his preferred method of argument just like Cadet Bone Spurs.

    Cramer can’t beat the market.

    Better of buying the index and watching Cosmo Kramer. Your portfolio will thank you.

    30 day – Swing trade BTC, LTC, ETH
    60 day- Short sell the 2017-S ASE
    90 day – Keep calm and stack on

  45. John Q. Coinage says

    KSCO & SoKrates all I can say is the ‘tax cut’ is phooey for most, my son makes $4k a month he netted $1,380 before the “cut” now he nets $1,425!!” oh he;s rich…..meanwhile unless your heavy in stox or make A LOT you get very little.. my wife’s ‘bonu$” she netted… 40%… of $15k yeah heck of a tac cut…..for biz owners & big boiyus & pass thru $ & REIT owners, the rest of us chumps pay more tolive- LOOK @ Trumps ‘people so many carpetbagger freeloaders takoing $$$ from the sytemthey say is broke, $31k table for Ben Carsonm is he doing brian surgery on it>>>? Ah coins, we got a real messed uo mint & POTUS (the last2) could care less, we caree but in a way as I have said “I justdon’t car” about mint products…WAY 2 much $ $680 over spot for ythe ‘8 age set…good luck player, you guys hit 19 in vega$?

  46. earthling says

    The way Coins are these days, nobody wants them except those chasing low mintage. Once the chasers discover they can’t flip them they fall back also. Soon enough no one at all will want new stuff except the rare plastic hoarders.

    When will the TPG’s start slabbing Crypto ? Hmmmmmm…….. ?

    They could branch into little pics of Animals, Sea going Reptiles, and even Exotic Cars. Autographs galore. Grade em all 70.

    Cryptos don’t have physical form so only the plastic and the label would matter. Sounds perfect to me.

  47. Jerry Diekmann says

    cagcrisp – speaking of doubling down – why would ANYONE in his right mind want to stay in the Trump administration???. The guy is a third rail – if he touches you – you’re dead – at least your reputation is, and a bad reputation is nearly impossible to ever overcome. The White House has become a swamp. This guy is the Crocodile-in-Chief and dangerous to the welfare and safety of our country. He is not only ignorant of just about everything, he is also STUPID beyond belief, and yet the Republicans in Congress support him. Why? There has to be something deep down dark going on in this country.

  48. Jerry Diekmann says

    John Q. Coinage – That “tax cut” was only for the corporations and the rich, and for the middle class, it was a ruse – and temporary – for the rich it was permanent. Congress is owned by the rich and they must think the average voter is as dumb as a doorknob. Trump’s WH is like you say, a bunch of carpetbagger,. and some of them – actually a lot of them – are outright crooks, and some of them are really traitors, selling our country for money, power, women, and living the good life without working. They are poisonous leeches who need to be removed and jailed.

  49. John Q. Coinage says

    Jerry…all I can say to you is….. REVERAND!!!

    Grifter in Chief more like it, I still can’t see how 30% lov him to death STILL…he has Reagan’s teflon coated with a elctromagnetic shield for the 21st Century… The SWAMP thinng is the best, he imported the SWAMP to the WH & his Cabinet Munchkin he has the biggest sheet eatin look EVER for any pol almost (Bill Clinton only close!) Pruitt, etc. what a bunch of losers – or winners I guess depends on your view…some folks think if they get $50 more every 2 weeks Trump & his minions should get $10,000,000 after al it will trickle down, your leg, into your show & attract flies…..

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