As the United States approaches its Semiquincentennial in 2026, a new medal spotlights a dramatic. and often overlooked. chapter of Revolutionary War history. The latest issue from the Jewish-American Hall of Fame honors Haym Salomon, the financier who helped fund George Washington’s decisive Yorktown campaign.
More than a commemorative piece, this medal tells a story that reshaped the course of American independence.
The $20,000 That Changed History
In August 1781, the Continental Army cornered British Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis in Yorktown, Virginia. General George Washington and his forces, joined by Count de Rochambeau and French troops, marched south from the Hudson Highlands to strike what would become the final blow of the Revolutionary War.
However, Washington faced a crisis. His war chest stood empty. Congress had no funds. Meanwhile, the troops lacked food, uniforms, and essential supplies. Morale faltered. Mutiny loomed.
Washington determined he needed at least $20,000 to finance the Yorktown campaign. When officials told him that no funds or credit remained, he reportedly replied: “Send for Haym Salomon.”
Salomon raised the required $20,000. With that money, Washington launched the Yorktown campaign, which culminated in Cornwallis’s surrender in October 1781 and effectively ended the Revolutionary War.
Haym Salomon: Financer of the Revolution
The new medal captures this pivotal moment in American history.
The obverse features an imagined portrait of Haym Salomon, identified as “Financer to the American Revolution,” along with his signature. Although no verified contemporary portrait of Salomon survives, his financial legacy remains well documented.
Between August 1781 and April 1784, Salomon’s name appears at least 75 times in the diary of financier Robert Morris. Many entries reportedly read, “I sent for Haym Salomon,” underscoring his frequent role in securing urgent funds for the struggling government.
From Poland to the American Cause
In the early 1770s, Salomon left his family in Poland and arrived in New York on the eve of the Revolution. His fluency in German allowed him to interact with Hessian forces as a supplier of goods. When British authorities suspected him of spying, they arrested and imprisoned him for a time.
Afterward, Salomon relocated to Philadelphia. There, his command of multiple languages positioned him as a broker to French officials who supported the American cause. He prospered financially. Moreover, he extended financial assistance to key public figures, including Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
A Fortune Lost in the Nation’s Service
Haym Salomon died prematurely in January 1785. At the time of his death, he held approximately $650,000,equivalent to more than $20 million today, primarily in depreciated certificates of indebtedness and Continental currency that had become virtually worthless.
The Pennsylvania Packet memorialized him with these words: “He was remarkable for his skill and integrity in his profession and for his generous and humane deportment.”
The Medal Design: Art Meets American Memory
The reverse of the new Jewish-American Hall of Fame medal features George Washington riding his favorite horse, Nelson. The design also incorporates Washington’s urgent call to “Send for Haym Salomon,” reinforcing the historic link between financial support and military victory.
Award-winning sculptor Eugene Daub created the medal. This release marks the 19th medal in the long-running Jewish-American Hall of Fame series, which began in 1969.
The piece measures 3¼ inches in diameter and appears in high relief bonded bronze. The edition limits production to a maximum of 99 pieces.
Collectors may obtain the medal with a $195 contribution to the nonprofit Jewish-American Hall of Fame. Interested parties can call 818-225-1348.
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Why This Medal Matters in 2026
As America prepares to commemorate 250 years of independence, the story of Haym Salomon demands renewed attention. His financial intervention supported the campaign that led to Yorktown, and ultimately to American victory.
Therefore, this medal does more than celebrate an anniversary. It restores visibility to a figure whose contributions proved essential to the nation’s founding.
For collectors, historians, and patriots alike, the Haym Salomon medal offers a tangible connection to the economic backbone of the Revolution.
Very interesting article about “Send for Haym Saloman”.