Expert: Cameron Kiefer - 2/1/2005

Question
Whilst my Father was constructing a pool in his back yard to his home, many years ago, we found a coin in the dirt, the coin is, brown, just short of 3 cm in circum.  
The front states:
GEN. U.S.A. (TOP) 1807 (LEFT SIDE) 1891 (RIGHT SIDE) (FACE IN CENTER) JOSEPH EGGLESTON JOHNSON (BOTTOM)

The back states:
CMDR. ARMY OF SHENANDOAH (TOP AROUND) BLACK HAWK, SEMINOLE WARS (BOTTOM AROUND)
MAJ. GEN.
VA.VOLUNTEERS
MEMBER OF CONGRESS
FROM VA R.R. COMMISSIONER,
AUTHOR, GRADUATE WEST
POINT, BATTLES FOUGHT
MEXICAN WAR
BULL RUN,
BENTONVILLE
(IN CENTER OF COIN BACK SIDE)

Any help you could give me in regard to what this coin is and does it have a value?  I have wondered for years but I have never been able to find another anywhere on the internet, in books etc.  

Thank you


Answer
Hi Joane,

It sounds like it was a private medal to commemorate the war, the general and his troops.  Since it has the 1891 date we can assume he either died that year or the medal was struck that year.  I don't know much more about this piece without seeing it.  can you take a piture of it and e-mail me it?

Cameron Kiefer

kieferscoins2000@yahoo.com