Frank Eliscu

The medal's obverse bears large gear wheel with French head in center. Across, MEDALLIC / ART / COMPANY / DANBURY / CONNECTICUT; several workers putting finishing touches on lettering and gear; one holding a large tablet with artist's signature, F. Eliscu

The medal's reverse bears winged steed fighting with muscular nude male figure trying to bind him.

The reverse illustrates the story of how Bellerophon tamed Pegasus with a golden bridle handed to him by the goddess Athena.

The circular medal measures 73.5mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut. No mintage is reported.

Many thanks to everyone in the Numismatics Department of the Yale University Art Gallery for their generosity and support with making this medal available to me for research.

References:   MACo 1973-001

The medal's obverse bears idealized forest scene with with doe nuzzling fawn on left side and owls perched on pine branch on right side. Signed at bottom, Eliscu

The reverse bears calendar panel flanked by owls with fawn above. At bottom, 1975

This was the very first medal issued by the Medallic Art Company in its annual calendar medal series. Interestingly, this medal's obverse was reused in 1991 for the seventeenth calendar medal in the series (this does not count the alternate medal in 1983).

The circular medal measures 76.1mm in diameter and was struck in what appears to be pewter or nickle silver.  I am sure it was also struck in bronze and probably in silver but I have not personally encountered those variants yet. Confirmation and physical characteristics of these variants would be welcome.

References:   MACo 1974-121, Cal MA-1975

The medal's obverse bears owl perched on an oak branch. Above, MEMBER'S MEDAL; to left, PARVA NE / PEREANT; signed at lower right, ELISCU

The medal's reverse bears an oak sapling growing through a rock. Around, THE AMERICAN NUMISMATIC SOCIETY

By the 1970's it became apparent that a new member medal had to be created.  The stock of old Borglum medals was about to be exhausted and the old dies were not in good enough shape for another production run.  The ensuing competition was won by Frank Eliscu with a design that bore a Barn owl symbolizing wisdom and learning.  As Eliscu wrote in his notes:

The owl has long been a symbol of learning and scholarship. The Greeks associates the owl with their patroness Athena, Godess [sic] of Knowledge, and this bird look [sic] out from the obverse side of Athenian coins.

In using the Barn Owl, I am trying to relate more closely with the American scene, and as the A.N.S. is one of America's oldest learned societies. I feel the Barn owl, stylized, a most appropriate symbol.

The medal thus became the 53rd official issue of the American Numismatic Society. Exact mintages are not available but by April 1979 the following mintages were reported:  122 in silver and 241 in bronze.  The initial order carried serial numbers on the edge.

References:   ANS 53, MACo 1977-123

The medal's obverse bears idealized forest scene with with doe nuzzling fawn on left side and owls perched on pine branch on right side. Signed at bottom, Eliscu

The reverse bears calendar panel flanked by owls with fawn above. At bottom, 1991

This was the 17th medal issued by the Medallic Art Company in its annual calendar medal series. As noted in the brochure that accompanied the medal:

"The 1991 Calendar Medallion by Frank Eliscu is a beautifully sculpted reminder for us to concern ourselves with our environment and to protect animal habitats."

"Beautifully sculpted reminder" is a very aptly chosen phrase because the medal's obverse was reused from the very first medal in the calendar medal series issued in 1975. I don't know what the rationale behind that choice was.  Maybe the designs for the next planned medal were running late, maybe the Medallic Art company was in business turmoil at the time, but regardless, Frank Eliscu saw his design used twice in one medal series!

The circular medal measures 76.2mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and (probably) silver by the Medallic Art Company. No mintages are reported.

References:   Cal MA-1991