The medal's obverse bears a Native American in full headdress, standing in pose of supplication with arms held out, facing right towards a European sailing ship. Around top, THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED COMMERCE; at bottom, SALVE
Around and across, FOUNDERS SOUVENIR / OF / THIS / NEW KIND OF STORE / JOHN WANAMAKER / PHILADELPHIA / · 1906 · / THIRTIETH ANIVERSARY
John Wanamaker (1838 – 1922) was an American merchant and religious, civic and political figure, considered by some to be a proponent of advertising and a "pioneer in marketing". He opened his first store in 1861 but the famous store, considered to be the first department store in Philadelphia, was opened in 1876 in a converted railroad depot. Called "The John Wanamaker & Co. Grand Depot", the original depot was torn down and replaced by the 12-story Wanamaker Building, which was designed by the famous Chicago architect Daniel H. Burnham and completed in 1910.
The circular medal measures 30.4mm in diameter and was struck in silver-plated bronze. No mintage is reported.