The medal's obverse has two halves, one silver and one bronze. On left, silver half, an industrial worker wearing heavy protective gear pours liquid into container. In right, bronze half, several scenes from inside a metal working factory.
The reverse bears HH logo at top. Below, 100 / YEARS OF SERVICE / TO INDUSTRY AND / ARTS ··· 1867 - 1967
Hand & Harman was founded in New York City in 1867 by Peter Hayden. Hayden was a harness maker specializing in producing custom-made decorative silver fittings for the horses of well-to-do New Yorkers. He quickly discovered that there was more money to be made from trading in silver than from fashioning harnesses. From these beginnings, the company grew into a diversified conglomerate specializing in precious metal dealing, recycling, and non-precious metal manufacturing.
The medal posed significant technical challenges for the Medallic Art Company. The manufacture of this medal requires that a thin silver strip be placed over a bronze planchet, forming a bimetallic obverse. The medal had to be kept in register between the multiple strikings that were required.
The circular medal measures 56.9mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.
References: MACo 1966-006