Medal commemorating the first transatlantic cable, 1858
Medal commemorating the first transatlantic cable, 1858. Obverse: A large globe showing the Atlantic, across which Science (right) and a sailor (left) draw a cable; scientific and naval emblems behind these. Below, three round medallions. On the larger, central one, Mercury surrounded by merchandise; the other two bear the British Royal arms (right) and the American eagle (left). Above the globe a dove with an olive branch in its beak. Reverse: Two men-of-war, stern to stern, with cable between, the American steaming to left, the British to right. Two other ships in the distance. Legend: (above) 'John B. Mitchell R.N.' (incuse) 'FROM THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND CITIZENS OF NEW YORK'; (below) 'COMMEMORATIVE OF THE PART TAKEN BY HIM IN LAYING THE FIRST TELEGRAPHIC CABLE BETWEEN EUROPE AND AMERICA, IN AUGUST, A . D . 1858.'
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Object Details
| ID: | MEC2282 |
|---|---|
| Collection: | Coins and medals |
| Type: | Medal |
| Display location: | Not on display |
| Creator: | Tiffany & Co |
| Events: | Opening of the first Atlantic Telegraph Cable, 1858 |
| Vessels: | Agamemnon (1852); Niagara fl.1858 (USS) Susquehanna fl.1858 (USS) Leopard (1850) |
| Date made: | 1858 |
| People: | Mitchell, John B. |
| Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London |
| Measurements: | Overall: 35 mm |