Allan George Newman

The obverse bears allegorical female lightly touching the Liberty Bell. Around, JULY 4 1776; at right, signed (AGN monogram).

The reverse depicts a circle of shields bearing the arms of the sixteen countries participating in the celebration. In center, TO COMMEMORATE / THE INTERNATIONAL / CELEBRATION OF / INDEPENDENCE DAY / JULY 4 (ANS oak leaves) 1918.

This is the 36th medal issued by the American Numismatic Society. Though dated 1918, the medal was actually issued in 1919 to commemorate the international celebration of the American Independence Day in the previous year. The sixteen nations that had participated in the festivities (other than the United States) were: the United Kingdom, Belgium, Greece, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Peru, Cuba, Portugal, Serbia, Italy, and France.

The medal measures 63mm (2.5in) in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver. Only 39 silver and 63 bronze pieces were struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York and made available to ANS members and members of the Mayor's Committee on National Defense.

The obverse bears a central pylon flanked by two aircraft and two Art Deco-style winged heads. Above, NATIONAL AIR RACES / 1932; below, MERITORIOUS / PARTICIPATION / AWARD.

The reverse shows a Bellanca P200 plane in front of clouds. Above, HAPPY LANDINGS; below, PRESENTED BY / MISS FIDELITY / HOME PORT / WHEELINGS WEST VIRGINIA.

The Bellanca P200 airbus was built for $45,000 for the Fidelity Investment Company of Wheeling, West Virginia. It was one of nine built by the Bellanca Aircraft Corporation of New Castle, Delaware, and was one of the most advanced and economic commercial airplanes of its day. In 1934 federal regulations prohibited single engine transports on United States airlines, virtually eliminating the airbus' market. In Canada the P200 and its successor, the P300, were used into the 1970's to ferry ore, supplies and the occasional passenger from and to remote northern mining sites.

One of these small medals was awarded to every participant of the 1932 National Air Races held in Cleveland. The winged heads on this medal are reminiscent of Oskar Hansen's better known Olympiad of the Air medal from two years earlier.

The medal measures 36.7mm (1.5in) in diameter and was struck in bronze in an unknown mintage.