EXTREMELY RARE GOLD TIFFANY CUSTER

VALOR MEDAL.
inv # 02-14544

Unique gold and blue enamel badge designed by General Custer in camp in Virginia, 1864 and produced by Tiffany & Co. to his exact specifications. Custer’s original drawing is found among Custer family affects at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana. The only recipients of these medals were directly commissioned to Tiffany of New York by George Armstrong Custer. Medal is composed of star with “6” representing 6th Michigan Cavalry above Maltese cross with “CUSTER” emblazoned “TUEBOR” at the bottom from state seal of Michigan meaning “I Will Defend.” Reverse is engraved “Capt. Albert T, Henshaw / 6th Mich. Cav.” suspended from gold crossed sabers on gold ribbon. It would be most interesting to ascertain why Custer made Capt. Henshaw a recipient of his valor medal, but like the few other recipients, only two are the citations known.

Capt. Albert T Henshaw (1835-1913) enlisted on 9/2/1862 at Bowne, MI as a 1st Sergeant. He was promoted to lieutenant in May 1863 and to captain July 1, 1864. He mustered out in July 1865 while fighting Indians as part of Michigan cavalry brigade in Montana. After his service, Albert worked as a carpenter in Grand Rapids where he was a member of Custer Post #5 of the GAR.