1853 US Mint Medal, Captain Duncan Ingraham U.S.Navy, NGC MS68

Description

Rare 1853 US Mint Medal No. 521 Commander Duncan Ingraham Naval Medallion, Julian NA-26.
Congressional Gold Medal Recipient Resigned From the US Navy in 1861 and entered Confederate States Navy.
REFERENCES
:
NGC certified MS 68, #4912966-008.
Julian NA-26, US Mint Catalog No. 521, and Naval History and Heritage Command:  NH 2273.
ENGRAVERS
: James B. Longacre with Peter F. Cross.
DRAFTSMAN
: S. Eastman.
MAKER
: US Mint.
DIAMETER
: 76mm / 3 Inches.
WEIGHT
: 219 grams. NGC case size 4 7/8" wide x 6 1/2" tall.
OBVERSE
:
The U.S. sloop-of-war ST. LOUIS, and the Austrian brig-of-war HUSSAR, are at anchor in the roads of Smyrna; while a second Austrian war vessel and three mail steamers are at a little distance. The city of Smyrna and the ruins of the Acropolis, on Mount Pagus, are in the background.
In Exergue: "SMYRNA. AMERICAN SLOOP OF WAR ST. LOUIS. AUSTRIAN BRIG OF WAR HUSSAR".
REVERSE
:
Within a wreath of laurel and oak: "PRESENTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO COMMANDER
DUNCAN N. INGRAHAM AS A TESTIMONIAL OF THE HIGH SENSE ENTERTAINED BY CONGRESS OF HIS GALLANT AND JUDICIOUS CONDUCT ON THE 2d OF JULY 1853. JOINT RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS AUGUST 4th 1854".
In Exergue: "The American eagle, with outspread wings, holds an anchor in its talons; above are 31 stars, the whole lighted by the rays of the sun. By Eastman and Longacre".
In 1854 President Pierce & Congress awarded to CDR. Duncan Ingraham this 3” medal . It SOLD OUT
at the U.S. Mint and the restrike medal is no longer sold at the US MINT and will probably not be sold in the future.  Today these medals are rare and hard to find.
Free USPS ,priority, insured, shipping
HISTORY
: Capt. DUNCAN N. INGRAHAM, U.S. Navy,
1802- Born in Concord, Mass.
1812- Became a midshipman at age of 9, served in the War of 1812 on board the frigate CONGRESS and on Lake Ontario in the MADISON.
1825- Promoted to lieutenant.
1838- Promoted to Master Commandant.
1846- Member of Commodore Conner's staff at the capture of Tampico in the Mexican War.
1853- Martin Koszta, a Hungarian refugee, was seized by Austrian authorities in June 1853 and placed on board the Austrian brig-of-war HUSSAR. Learning that Koszta had taken preliminary steps to secure U.S. naturalization, and being advised by appropriate authority that Koszta was entitled to American protection, Captain Ingraham boarded the Austrian ship and demanded his release. It appeared that the matter could only be decided by a naval engagement. However, by mutual agreement, Koszta was turned over to the French Consul. He was later released and returned to the United States.
1856- Appointed Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance.
1860- Given command of the RICHMOND in Mediterranean Squadron.
186l- Resigned from U:S. Navy and entered Confederate States Navy, Chief of Ordnance at Richmond, later commander of naval forces on the South Carolina coast.
1863- Commanded ironclads PALMETTO STATE and CHICORA in a successful attack against Union blockaders.
1891- Died in Charleston, S.C