The Legacy of Anthony C. Paquet: Engraver of Valor

Early Life and Arrival in America

Believed to be the son of bronze-worker Toussaint François Paquet, Anthony C Paquet was born on December 5, 1814, in Hamburg, Germany. In 1848, he made the significant move to Philadelphia, where he would begin his journey in the field of engraving. This transition marked the beginning of Paquet’s influential role in American numismatics.

Establishing His Craft in New York

By the mid-1850s, Paquet had ventured to New York to open his engraving business. During this period, he is reputed to have struck several medals, although most of them were unsigned. An exception is the notable Rocky Mountains Echo Back Fremont campaign medal, which garnered attention for its craftsmanship. His talent did not go unnoticed, eventually leading him to the Philadelphia Mint as a contract worker.

Achievements at the Philadelphia Mint

In early 1857, Paquet had his contract work at the Philadelphia Mint transitioned into a permanent position as an assistant engraver. Among his noteworthy projects were various pattern coins, most of which also remained unsigned, including the intriguing copper double eagle pattern, Judd-257. However, his most famous achievement is the design of the Medal of Honor, the United States military’s highest decoration for valor. Instituted by President Abraham Lincoln on July 12, 1861, this distinguished medal features Paquet’s signature on the obverse, solidifying his legacy in American history.

The Naval Medal of Honor designed by Anthony C. Paquet during the Civil War. Photo taken during World War II. The Medal of Honor was authorized by Congress on 21 December 1861 for presentation to Navy enlisted personnel. Eligibility was extended in 1901 to any Navy man “who shall have distinguished himself in battle or displayed extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession”. Public awareness of the medal and its meanings, uses, and prestige has shifted over time, ever since the Civil War, when Congress authorized the first of the Medal of Honor—the Navy’s—on 21 December 1861. However, only after World War I did the Navy Medal of Honor begin to take on its modern role as the decoration reserved exclusively for the greatest acts of valor in a combat.

To be continued….