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.'

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); Leopard 1850 (HMS) Niagara fl.1858 (USS) Susquehanna fl.1858 (USS)
Date made: 1858
People: Mitchell, John B.
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 35 mm