New York “Medals of Honor” for participation in the Battle of Gettysburg were brainchild of Daniel Sickles and adopted by the New York Monuments Commission for the Battlefield of Gettysburg on May 6, 1893. This was in preparation for “New York Day” at Gettysburg, which actually stretched over all three days of the thirtieth anniversary of the battle July 1, 2, and 3, 1893, but concentrated on the dedication of the state monument on July 2. Permission was obtained from the Secretary of the Treasury to have the selected medal design struck in bronze at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia and a circular dated May 24, 1893, was sent to the executive officers of each veteran organization requesting, “the utmost care to verify in every instance the fact that each and every applicant on their list was a veteran who participated with their command at the Battle of Gettysburg.” A total of 11,000 of these medals were struck, roughly 10,000 to be awarded according to the roles submitted to the Committee by August 1, 1893 and another 1,000 awarded on the basis subsequent applications that were vetted in part by comparison with the muster rolls of June 30 and August 31, 1863.

The bronze top bar includes the date of the battle in an arch at top, “July 1-2-3 1863” and “Gettysburg Veteran” across it. The medal is attached by suspension ring and the obverse shows the state seal at center and around it in raised letters, "Dedication of State Monuments at Gettysburg July 1, 2, 3 1893 - New York Day.” The reverse shows the state monument flanked by the dates 1863 and 1893 and surrounded by a laurel wreath. The medal is backed by a red, white and blue ribbon.

The condition of this example is very good, with excellent color to the ribbon, just a few horizontal runs, and excellent detail and color to the bronze. These are attractive medals and have the added benefit of having been awarded to soldiers the state took great care to establish were present in the battle.  [SR]

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