Discovery

The obverse bears half figure of Vespucci, half right, head right, holding a partially unrolled map ; to the right is a map of the New World, taken from the then recently discovered map of Martin Waldseemüller. Between bust and map at lower right, 19 (ANS seal) 03 / AMERIGO VESPVCCI; signed along lower right, V.D.Brenner.

The reverse bears a small hemispherical map inserted in the famous Waldseemüller wall map of 1507 on the left side; on the right Vespucci is holding dividers above facsimile signature of Waldseemüller. Signed in lower left of field, V.D.Brenner

Amerigo Vespucci (1454-1512) was an Italian explorer, financier, navigator and cartographer who first demonstrated that Brazil and the West Indies did not represent Asia's eastern outskirts as initially conjectured from Columbus' voyages, but instead constituted an entirely separate landmass hitherto unknown to people of the Old World.

This is the 15th medal issued by the American Numismatic Society. The rectangular plaque measures 76mm x 58mm. The reported mintage for this medal is 1 piece in gold, 101 in silver, 59 in bronze and 1 in copper.

The obverse bears bust of Drake, slightly left, in period dress with ruff collar. Above, SIR FRANCIS DRAKE 1540 - 1596; at lower right, signed Marschall; below, in lower left corner, 19 (ANS oak leaves) 07

The reverse bears a portion of the "Silver Map" medal showing the Americas. At lower left, IN COMMEMORATION OF THE / DISCOVERY AND LANDING / VPON THE / NORTH-WESTERN COAST OF AMERICA / BY THE / FIRST ENGLISH CIRCVMNAVIGATOR / A D 1579

This medal is the 17th official issue of the American Numismatic Society.

The medal measures 56mm x 65mm and was struck by the Imperial-Royal Mint of Vienna, Austria. The mintage is reported as 1 piece in gold, 102 in silver and 102 in bronze.

This medal's obverse bears allegorical figure representing the Spirit of Exploration at the top; in the center are two explorers surrounded by Native Americans, some of whom are carrying a canoe. Signed on base, J E FRASER

The reverse bears multi-line inscription: COMMEMORATING / THE / SEVENTY-FIFTH / ANNIVERSARY / OF THE / CHICAGO COIN CLUB / 1919 - 1994 / ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ / "THE DISCOVERERS" / A SCULPTURE BY / JAMES EARLE FRASER / MICHIGAN AVENUE BRIDGE / CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; in rectangle below, incuse serial number 00011.

The medal is a reduced replica of a famous Chicago sculpture by James Earle Fraser. The monumental sculpture is one of a set of four that decorate the Michigan Avenue Bridge. The chewing gum tycoon William Wrigley, Jr. paid for both "The Discoverers" and "The Pioneers", this design's sibling monument. The sculpture is dedicated to Father Jaques Marquette, Robert Cavalier de LaSalle, and Henri de Tonti, who explored the Great Lakes area in the late 17th century.

This medal was issued to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Chicago Coin Club, historically one of the most active collectors' organizations to issue medals.

The irregularly shaped plaquette measures 67mm x 89mm. It was struck in a mintage of 1 piece in gold, 36 in silver and 165 in bronze. The original subscription price was $2,165 for the piece in gold, $125 for a silver piece, and $20 for the more common bronze variant.