The medallion's obverse bears a tall ship under full sail, half left, followed by other ship on horizon. Below, FROM / W. R. GRACE & CO. / WILLIAM J. CASHiN / 1965 / IN RECOGNITION OF / 20 YEARS OF LOYAL SERVICE
The medallion's reverse bears the American double continent with shipping lines, surrounded by modern images including skyscrapers, freighter, industrial installations, plantations, and an airplane.
W.R. Grace and Company was founded in 1854, in Peru, by William Russell Grace, who left Ireland due to the potato famine, and traveled to South America with his father and family. He went first to Peru to work as a ship's chandler for the firm of Bryce and Company, to the merchantmen harvesting guano, used as a fertilizer and gunpowder ingredient.
His brother Michael joined the business and in 1865 the company name was changed to Grace Brothers & Co. The company set up head office operations in New York City in 1865. Working in fertilizer and machinery, the company was formally chartered in 1872, and incorporated in 1895.
The circular medallion measures 88.6mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company of New York.
References: MACo 1937-019