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
