Ralph J. Menconi

The medal's obverse bears bust of Gail Borden, facing right. At right, THE / BORDEN / COMPANY / GAIL / BORDEN; around bottom, 1857 · ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY · 1957; signed under truncation, RALPH J MENCONI Sc.

The medal's reverse bears laurel wreath around legend, "I TRIED AND FAILED / I TRIED AGAIN AND / AGAIN AND SUCCEEDED" / Gail Borden

The company was founded by Gail Borden, Jr., in 1857 in Connecticut as "Gail Borden, Jr., and Company." After initial struggles, referred to in the founder's quote on the medal's reverse, the company succeeded to become the largest U.S. producer of dairy and pasta products.  Today's consumers probably know it best for its "Elmer's Glue" and "Crazy Glue" products. It was eventually acquired by KKR in 1995 and sold off in pieces in 2001.

References:   MACo 1956-008

The medal's obverse bears bust of Willard F. Rockwell, facing. Around top, WILLARD F. ROCKWELL; around bottom, 45 YEARS AN / AUTOMOTIVE PARTS PIONEER; signed under truncation, R·J·MENCONI

The reverse bears corporate logo with 50 YEARS in circle. Around, ROCKWELL-STANDARD CORPORATION / 1909 - 1959

Willard F. Rockwell (1888-1978) was born in Boston, Massachusetts and attended the local public schools before attending MIT. In the years between 1909 and 1915 he was chief engineer for several small companies and developed a keen interest in the automotive business. During World War I he was a civilian specialist in the Army Quartermaster Corps. In 1919 he started his first company in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and sold it nine years later, staying on as its manager and a director of the Timken-Detroit Axle Company. He became president only four years later and merged it with several small companies he controlled. In 1958 he renamed the large company to Rockwell Standard Corp.  Rockwell-Standard eventually became a major player in aviation and the space industry and is now called Rockwell International.

The circular medal measures 69.9mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1959-066

The obverse bears the well-known reverse of the Athenian tetradrachm with owl, olive branch and ΑΘΕ. Around patinated background, - THOMAS J. WATSON - MEMORIAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP

The reverse bears year in center field, 19 / 63; around, - INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION

The edge is marked MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y.

The medal was commissioned by IBM as a physical token accompanying the more significant scholarship grant. As of 2014, the Thomas J. Watson Memorial Merit Scholarship awarded $2,000 per year to high achieving children of IBM employees. The grant is renewable for 4 years. Summer internship opportunities are also available to recipients.

The medal was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

References:   MACo 1961-013

The medal's obverse bears front facing bust of Churchill in very high relief. Around, SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL; over shoulder, 1874 / 1965; signed under truncation, RALPH J MENCONI / © 1965

The reverse bears view of the British House of Parliament with Tower above seals of U.S. and England.

The medal measures 70.1mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1965-154

The medal's obverse bears cathode ray tube over orbiting electron model. Across, 50 / ANNIVERSARY / Emerson / 1915 · 1965 / MIRACLES IN HOME ELECTRONICS

The reverse bears corporate logo in concave center field. Across, Emerson / Television / and Radio; around, FIFTY YEARS OF EXCITING CHANGE

The circular medal measures 70.3mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1965-081

The medal's obverse bears diverse precast concrete construction element. Around, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE DESIGN, MANUFACTURE AND USE OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE AND PRECAST CONCRETE / · FOUNDED 1954 ·

The reverse bears architectural view of a concrete bridge. Across, PRESTRESSED CONCRETE INSTITUTE - PCI / ARCHITECTURAL - STRUCTURAL

As the prestressed industry grew in the early 1950s, it became apparent that a central organization was essential to provide a unity of purpose in the industry. PCI was legally chartered as the Prestressed Concrete Institute on June 18, 1954, in Tampa, Florida. In December 1959, PCI moved its headquarters from Florida to Chicago, where it is based today.

This design is very different from Menconi's usual work. It is almost abstract in its simplicity, whereas his normal style is very traditional. I like this medal a lot.

The oval medal measures 88.6mm x 60.2mm and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.  No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1968-030

References:   MACo 1971-013-003, WR 3

References:   MACo 1971-013-004, WR 4

References:   MACo 1971-013-006, WR 6

References:   MACo 1971-013-007, WR 7