Horatio Gates Military Medal

1787

Place madeParis, France, Europe

Gold

Overall (Medal): 5.6 cm (5.6 cm)

Gift of Frederic Gallatin

1889.6

This is the original gold medal awarded by Congress to General Horatio Gates (1728-1806) in 1777 for his defeat of General John Burgoyne at Saratoga. The medal was engraved by Nicholas Marie Gatteaux and executed in Paris in 1787.

DescriptionGold die-struck medal presented to General Horatio Gates by Congress; obverse: bust of General Gates, in uniform, facing left; legend: "HORATIO GATES DUCI STRENUO"; inscription in exergue: "COMITIA AMERICANA"; reverse: Burgoyne surrendering his sword to Gates, with vanquished troops of Great Britain in left background, and victorious American army in right background; legend above: "SALUS REGIONUM SEPTENTRIONAL."; inscription in exergue: "HOSTE AD SARATOGAM / IN DEDITION ACCEPTO/ DIE XVII OCT MDCCLXXVII"; with hanging bracket attached at top.

MarkingsEngraved obverse, above exergual line, at right: "N.GATTEAUX"; reverse, below exergual line, at left: "GATTEAUX F."

ClassificationsMEDALS