Lead Impression for a Medal of Maj. John Andre, British Spy

368, Lot: 703. Estimate $150. Sold for $170. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

UNITED STATES. Major John Andre. 1750-1780. Lead Impression (45mm, 74.20 g). By George H. Lovett. Dated 1 October 1780. MAJ. JOHN ANDRE OCTOBER 1, 1780, bust right of Andre, wearing military coat, hair drawn back and tied at his neck; all incuse / Blank. See http://www.lovetttokensmedals.com/GeorgeH/MiscHistFigures.htm for a description of the medal that used this obverse die. VF, as made. Rare.

John Andre was captured in September of 1780 with papers implicating his role with Benedict Arnold. As Andre was wearing civilian clothes at the time of his capture, he was charged with spying and hung on October 2, 1780. As a point of local interest, Andre was captured earlier, in November 1775, and spent nine months as a prisoner in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He lived in the home of Caleb Cope, and was given the freedom of the town on his word not to escape. In December 1776, he was freed as part of a prisoner exchange.