Medals bearing Deer

The plaque bears Heracles running next to Ceryneian Hind, both facing left, within heavily beaded border. Signed at bottom, EDWARD FIELD SANFORD JR. 1914.

It was Heracles' third labour to catch the Ceryneian Hind. Heracles had proven that killing great beasts was a challenge he could overcome with relative ease. Catching the Ceryneian Hind was supposed to be impossible as the sacred deer could outrun even arrows that were shot at her. Even were Heracles to succeed, by doing so he would anger the goddess Artemis, because the hind was hers.

Heracles succeeded by catching the hind, apologizing to Artemis and promising to let the hind go after the completion of his task, and then tricking Eurystheus into letting the hind go after he had confirmed the challenge's completion.

The circular plaque measures 142.5mm in diameter and was cast in bronze. No mintage is reported.

The medal's obverse bears idyllic scene with doe and fawn in front of tree. Around, ETERN-AL · VIGILANCE; signed at doe's feet, BRUCE / MOORE / 1947 / ©

The reverse bears vutlure perched on rock with dead or dying branches in background. Around, DESTRUCTION

This medal was chosen as the 35th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. It measures 73mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The mintage is reported as xx pieces in bronze and yy (out of an authorized 700) in silver.

References:   MACo 1930-001-035, SoM 35

The obverse bears reclining stag before flowering plants. Signed in exergue at right, G K LATHROP

The reverse bears bird, possibly a crossbill, perched on cone, working to extract seeds from it. Around, BROOKGREEN / GARDENS

This was the second of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1974.

The circular medal measures 76mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company. No mintage is reported.

References:   BG 2

References:   BG 15

References:   BG 18