Site: 18ST704 Charles’ Gift

Context: Lot 111, N950 E1020, Level 3 (0.8-1.5 ft. below surface). This layer represents grading and disturbance associated with 1940s construction, and contains artifacts from throughout the period of occupation of the site.

Site Date Range: c. 1675-1943

Metal: Copper alloy

Dimensions: 0.75” (19 mm) wide, 1” (25.5 mm) tall, 0.04” (1 mm) thick

Front:
“OUR LADY OF VICTORY” around the Madonna and Child

Back:
Miraculous Medal motif showing the letter “M” with a cross over it, and under both are the Sacred Heart of Jesus with a crown of thorns, and the Sacred Heart of Mary pierced by a sword.

History:
The Miraculous Medal motif is attributed to Zoe Labore, a member of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris, France. She was canonized as Saint Catherine after the Virgin Mary appeared to her three times in 1830, and ordered that a medal with this image be struck so that those who wore the medals would be blessed with great graces. The first medals were made in 1832 (Glass 1911). Most Miraculous Medals depict Mary on the front with rays emitting from her fingers as seen in Labore’s first vision. These medals usually say “O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee.” This example is a variation since it has a different motif and phrase on the front.

Courtesy Naval District Washington, Naval Air Station Patuxent River.