The medal's obverse bears view of Connecticut building at the Sesquicentennial Exposition in Philadelphia.Around top, CONNECTICUT STATE BUILDING; in exergue, SESQUI-CENTENNIAL / PHILADELPHIA / 1776 (bell) 1926
The reverse bears statue of Nathan Hale at left, decorated shield with Connecticut coat of arms at top right. Across, "I ONLY REGRET THAT I HAVE / BUT ONE LIFE TO LOSE FOR / MY COUNTRY" / NATHAN HALE / PATRIOT-MARTYR / CONNECTICUT / 1755 / 1776; at left edge,in tiny letters, WHITEHEAD-HOAG
Nathan Hale (1755-1776) was an American soldier and spy for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He volunteered for an intelligence-gathering mission in New York City but was captured by the British and executed. Hale has long been considered an American hero and, in 1985, he was officially designated the state hero of Connecticut.
The circular medal measures 28.8mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and sterling silver by the Whitehead-Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey. No mintage is reported.
Many thanks to the staff of the Yale University Art Gallery's Numismatics Department for their support and assistance in making this medal available to me for research.
References: HK 456