Oval copper medal on replaced correct suspension loop; the face with the arms of Uruguay on a trophy of standards, a radiant sun above, cannonballs below, circumscribed ‘VENCEDORES DEL YATAY (Victors of Yatay); the reverse inscribed ‘17 DE AGOSTO DE 1865’ (17 August 1865) within a wreath of laurel, signed ‘VV’ at the base; on replaced correct ribbon.
The Medal was instituted on 30 September 1865 and awarded to the Uruguayan forces who fought in the battle of Yatay (Jataí). A silver medal was awarded to officers, a copper medal, as in this example, to other ranks.
Paraguay fought a catastrophic war against the Triple Alliance of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay from 1864 to 1870. At Yatay on 17 August 1865, Alliance forces led by the Uruguayan president, General Venancio Flores Barrios (1808-1868), and including 2400 Uruguayans, attacked a Paraguayan force under Major Pedro Duarte, inflicting a severe defeat.
The medal is rare.
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