Medal commemorating Commander Jesse Elliott and the Battle of Lake Erie, 1813. Obverse: Bust of the Commander in uniform (right). Legend: 'JESSE D. ELLIOTT . NIL ACTUM REPUTANS SI QUID SUPERESSET AGENDUM.' (Jesse D. Elliott. Considering nothing done if anything remained to be done.) Reverse: General view of the action. Legend: 'VIAM INVENIT VIRTUS AUT FACIT.' (Valour finds or makes a way.) Exergue: 'INTER . CLASS . AMERI . ET BRIT . DIE . X . SEP . MDCCCXIII.' (Between the American and British fleets, 10 Sept. 1813.) Signed 'FURST. F.' below truncation of bust and in exergue.
One of a series of 27 medals commemorating American successes during the War of 1812, struck by special resolution of Congress. They were awarded to naval commanders in gold and to their officers in silver. The bronze examples are restrikes.