Medal of Captain Jacob Jones 1800 - 1830

This bronze medal portraying Captain Jacob Jones was crafted by Moritz Fürst, a carrier of symbols across time. The laurel wreath, encircling Jones' profile, speaks of victory and honor, a motif stretching back to ancient Greece, where it crowned athletes and heroes. But observe its evolution: from a symbol of earthly triumph to an emblem of divine favor. This transformation echoes in Renaissance paintings, where saints and biblical figures are adorned with similar wreaths, signifying spiritual victory. The profile portrait itself is a symbolic echo, reminiscent of Roman emperors immortalized on coins, a statement of power and enduring legacy. Here, it speaks to the burgeoning American identity, forging its own pantheon of heroes. Consider how this medal, like those ancient coins, carries a weight beyond its material worth—a weight of collective memory, and the enduring human need to immortalize our heroes.