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Posted 10/25/2020 2:51 pm
Here's the commemorative medal issued by the Vermont Sesqui-Centennial Commission, the same folks who sponsored the 1927 Vermont Independence-Battle of Bennington commemorative half-dollar.
The medal simultaneously commemorates the 150th anniversary of Vermont declaring its independence from the British and the newly-independent US states of New York and New Hampshire (not the anniversary of its statehood) and the 150th anniversary of the American victory over the British at the Battle of Bennington during the American Revolution.
Charles Keck was the designer of the medal; Keck also designed the half dollar. As with the 50-cent piece, the commemorative medal was a dual commemorative for Vermont's Sesquicentennial (obverse) and the Battle of Bennington (reverse).
The obverse depicts a Green Mountain Boy. musket in hand, ready to fight. The famous "Bennington Flag" is seen in the background.
The reverse depicts Stephen Fay's Green Mountain Inn; it was often referred to as Fay's Tavern. The name of the establishment was later changed to the Catamount Tavern. The name change came after a stuffed catamount was mounted on a 25-foot tall signpost at the front of the building. The fierce animal was meant to be a warning to those from the New York colony who were intent on incorporating Vermont under their governance -- it signalled that such attempts would be met with fierce opposition. The tavern was an important meeting place in early Vermont, especially for the Green Mountain Boys. Ethan Allen planned the defense of Vermont against the New Yorkers at the tavern, and John Stark made plans regarding the Battle of Bennington within its walls.
The medal was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York, and is 63mm in diameter.
The medal simultaneously commemorates the 150th anniversary of Vermont declaring its independence from the British and the newly-independent US states of New York and New Hampshire (not the anniversary of its statehood) and the 150th anniversary of the American victory over the British at the Battle of Bennington during the American Revolution.
Charles Keck was the designer of the medal; Keck also designed the half dollar. As with the 50-cent piece, the commemorative medal was a dual commemorative for Vermont's Sesquicentennial (obverse) and the Battle of Bennington (reverse).
The obverse depicts a Green Mountain Boy. musket in hand, ready to fight. The famous "Bennington Flag" is seen in the background.
The reverse depicts Stephen Fay's Green Mountain Inn; it was often referred to as Fay's Tavern. The name of the establishment was later changed to the Catamount Tavern. The name change came after a stuffed catamount was mounted on a 25-foot tall signpost at the front of the building. The fierce animal was meant to be a warning to those from the New York colony who were intent on incorporating Vermont under their governance -- it signalled that such attempts would be met with fierce opposition. The tavern was an important meeting place in early Vermont, especially for the Green Mountain Boys. Ethan Allen planned the defense of Vermont against the New Yorkers at the tavern, and John Stark made plans regarding the Battle of Bennington within its walls.
The medal was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York, and is 63mm in diameter.
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
