James Earle Fraser

The obverse bears bust of Edward H. Harriman facing l. torch to his left. Above, (rosette) EDWARD H HARRIMAN MEMORIAL MEDAL (rosette); across bust, AWARDED - BY THE / AMERICAN - MUSEUM / OF SAFETY - TO; inscribed under bust, ATLANTIC COAST LINE RAILROAD COMPANY / GROUP A RAILROAD; signed at right, JEF monogram

The reverse bears railroad man on tracks near signal, wearing cloak and carrying signal flag and lanterns. At left, FOR THE / UTMOST / PROGRESS; at right, IN SAFETY / AND / ACCIDENT / PREVENTION

Edward Henry ("Ned") Harriman made a career of rebuilding bankrupt railroads. At age 50 he became director of the Union Pacific Railroad. A year later he was chairman of the executive board and another five years later he was president of the company. At the time of his death in 1909 he controlled the Union Pacific, the Southern Pacific, the Saint Joseph and Grand Island, the Illinois Central, the Central of Georgia, the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, and the Wells Fargo Express Company.

With the explosive growth in railroads around the beginning of the 20th century, accidents became an ever larger concern to the industry and to the public. In 1913 Edward Harriman's widow, who had inherited her husband's entire estate, sponsored this medal to encourage the young industry to pay more attention to the safety of its employees.

The American Museum of Safety presented medals in gold, silver, and bronze to railroads in three groups of line-haul carriers and a fourth group of switching and terminal companies for attaining the best employee safety records during the preceding year.

This medal measures 70mm in diameter. Early versions were struck by Tiffany and Co. in bronze, silver, and gold; later versions by the Medallic Art Company. The mintages are not reported.

References:   Baxter 233, MACo 1914-012, Marqusee 161

The medal's obverse bears nude male figure, kneeling, facing right, holding bow in left hand, cloak draped over arm; heavily beaded border around. At left, TO KAΛΛINIKON.

The reverse bears Roman helmet with horse design. Across, YALE - UNI-/VERSITY · / HENRY · ELIAS - HOWLAND / MEMORIAL MEDAL

Yale University's Henry Howland Memorial Prize was created in 1915 for a "citizen of any country in recognition of some achievement of marked distinction in the field of literature or fine arts or the science of government." The idealistic quality of the recipient's work is an important factor in his selection.

The award was established in honor of Henry Elias Howland (1835–1913), a member of the Yale class of 1854, by a donation of $15,000 by his children Charles P. Howland (Yale 1891), Dr. John Howland (Yale 1894), and Frances Howland. The prize has generally been awarded every two years. Henry Elias Howland was a Justice and a member of the Yale Corporation. He also served as President of the Yale Club in New York City and the Descendants of the Mayflower organization.

The obverse legend TO KAΛΛINIKON might refer to a battle between the Byzantine empire and an invading Persian army near the city of Kallinikon. General Belisarius saved the day by crossing the Euphrates on boat to rally fleeing Roman troops and turn the tide of battle.

The circular medal measures 72.9mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

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

References:   MACo 1917-018

The obverse bears line of steel-helmeted doughboys, rifles in hand, with bayonets fixed, about to go over the top. To right, FOR / HUMANITY / 1918.

The reverse bears imaginary portrait of Col. Ephraim Williams, founder of Williams College, on horseback, in the uniform of a Continental Army officer. Around top, E LIBERALITATE E WILLIAMS ARMIGERI 1793; at bottom, THE WILLIAMS MEDAL;

Edge engraved to GOODRICH C. SCHAUFFLER PRIV.

The official description for the medal's reverse is actually a bit incorrect. The medal depicts Williams at Lake George in 1755, so he is in the uniform of a French and Indian War officer, not a Continental officer.

This medal measures 73mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. The college awarded a total of 1726 pieces to Williams men who served in World War I.

References:   Baxter 320, MACo 1918-004, Marqusee 165

The uniface medal bears bust of Theodore Roosevelt, r. Signed and dated above shoulder, J E / FRASER / 19 © 20; at lower right, MDCCCLVIII / MCMXIX· / ··

This small medal is one of many designs that bear Fraser's Theodore Roosevelt bust.  It was obviously a very popular design!  I could not locate this particular medal in any of the literature I have, so any information would be welcome.

The circular medal measures 38.1mm in diameter.

The medal's obverse bears bust of Theodore Roosevelt, facinf right. At lower right, MDCCCLVIII/ MCMXIX· / ··; signed and dated above shoulder at left, J.E. / FRASER / 19©20

The reverse bears flaming crusader's sword. Around, ROOSEVELT · MEMORIAL · ASSOCIATION / MEDAL OF HONOR; across, IF I MVST - CHOOSE / BETWEEN - RIGHTEOVSNESS / AND PEACE - I CHOOSE / RIGHTEOUVSNESS

The Theodore Roosevelt Distinguished Service Medal was established by the Roosevelt Memorial Association in 1923 to honor outstanding service in fields reflecting the work and interests of Theodore Roosevelt.  The first medals were presented by the President at the White House. For many years thereafter, medals were awarded on Roosevelt's birthday, October 27th, at "Roosevelt House," a brownstone at 28 East 20th Stree in New York City.  Medals were awarded annually from 1923 to 1967, with exceptions for 1941 and 1944, and since 1967 on an occasional basis.

The circular medal measures 83mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York City. No mintage is reported.

Many thanks to Chris Bach for the write-up.

References:   Baxter 237, MACo 1923-002

The medal's obverse bears rider galloping to right, facing back with pistol held straight out. To left, PONY EXPRESS; to right, TEN DAYS TO / SAN FRANCISCO

The reverse bears settlers with Conestoga wagon drawn by oxen, mountain and sun in background. Below, NEW FRONTIERS / 18 (cattle skull) 49 / © JAMES EARLE FRASER SC

The medal's reverse is very familiar to coin collectors who know the motif from the Oregon Trail half dollar. Fraser was a traditionalist who wrote in the brochure that accompanied the medal:

"... wherever possible we should use the lore of our people. With this thought in mind I selected two of the most romantic, hazardous and important subjects of our pioneer days, the Prairie Schooner and the Pony Express."

This medal was chosen as the 45th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1952.

The circular medals measure 73mm in diameter and were struck in bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company. The reported mintage is 964 pieces in bronze.  There are two versions of the silver medal.  The first is the from the 1970's edition that was limited to 700 pieces with no mintage reported. The second is a telemarketing reissue from 1993 with an estimated mintage of 300 pieces.

References:   MACo 1930-001-45, SoM 45