PRESIDENT THOMAS JEFFERSON.
[Third President of the United States of America.]
TH. (
Thomas
) JEFFERSON PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. (
United States
) A.D. (
Anno Domini: The year of our Lord
) 1801. Bust of President Jefferson, facing the left.
PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP. Two hands clasped in token of amity: on the cuff of the left wrist three stripes and as many buttons; on the other, the American eagle; above the hands, a calumet and a tomahawk crossed—Indian emblems of peace and war.[72]
This medal bears no signature, but as the smaller size of the same is marked r. (Reich), it is presumable that both are the work of that engraver.
John Reich, a native of Germany, came to America by the advice of Henry Voigt, chief coiner of the United States Mint, who on his arrival took him into his employ to make scales and other fine work. Mr. Scott took him afterward as an assistant to make dies, but tried in vain to have him appointed by the government. Reich made the Preble and Hull medals and the Indian medals of Presidents Jefferson and Madison. He died in Albany, State of New York, in 1833.
Thomas Jefferson was born at Shadwell, Albemarle County, Virginia, April 2, 1743. He studied at William and Mary College, Virginia, and was admitted to the bar in 1767. He was a member of the House of Burgesses, of Virginia, from 1769 till the Revolution; was delegate to the Continental Congress in 1775; wrote the Declaration of Independence, 1776; was governor of Virginia, 1779-1781; member of Congress, 1782; minister to France, 1785-1789; secretary of State to President Washington, 1790-1793; vice-president of the United States, 1797-1801; President (first term), 1801-1805; (second term), 1805-1809. He then retired to his estate of Monticello, in Albemarle County, Virginia, and died there, July 4, 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Independence of the United States, and on the same day with John Adams.
1804.
Edwardo Preble duci strenuo Comitia Americana. ℞. Vindici commercii Americani.