U.S. numismatist John Kraljevich, of Fort Mill, S.C., explored War of 1812 medals, including both British and U.S. issues, at a recent meeting of the British Numismatic Society (BNS).
“The War of 1812 represented an inflection point in the history of North America, a multi-front war that tested the promise and wisdom of the adolescent American experiment,” reads a statement issued by the BNS, which hosted its Jan. 13 meeting at the New York International Numismatic Convention. “Though little more than a draw militarily, the survival of the United States represented a substantial victory for the new nation. The United States government celebrated their fortune with more official medal types for this three-year conflict than any other war, including the American Revolution.”
In addition to U.S. military and naval medals issued during the War of 1812, Kraljevich highlighted related British commemorative and campaign medals plus other issues fitting into the “often-overlooked Anglo-native conflict that underscored the entire episode.” A video of the talk will be posted on the BNS website, britnumsoc.org.