Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc)

The medal's obverse bears Jeanne d'Arc holding banner atop high-stepping horse, facing right; angel flying at top. Around left and right, terminated by fleur-de-lis, JEANNE · / D' - ARC ·; signed and dated above exergue, PAUL MANSHIP - 1915

The reverse bears praying Jeanne d'Arc burning at the stake, hand reaching from cloud to place laurel crown on her head. Around, · · LA · VIERGE · HER-OIQUE · ET · MARTYRE · MCCCCXXXI · ·

The French inscription around the reverse's edge translates to "The heroic virgin and martyr." 

Manship made the medal to beneift the Italian War Relief Committee.  Three years earlier, in 1912, many Western countries had celebrated the 500th anniversary of Joan of Arc's birth and a lot of medals and statues had been commissioned.  Anna Hyatt Huntington had won the competition to create a heroic statue that was finally unveiled to great public acclaim in 1915. 

The Italian War Relief Fund was organized in 1915 for relieving the distress of noncombatant Italians. As always, Manship was willing to donate art to raise funds for such war-related relief efforts. This medal tied neatly into the public's fascination with the historical figure and doubled up as a not so subtle reminder that a huge conflagration had engulfed France and other parts of Europe.

The circular medal measures 74mm and was cast in bronze. It is not known how many pieces were cast. A six inch model is known to exist as well.

References:   Marqusee 255, Murtha 70

The obverse bears softly modeled and beautiful head of Victory (r.), wearing helmet decorated with the lilies of France, the oak leaves of Britain and the pine of the United States. Around, TO COMMEMORATE THE VISIT TO NEW YORK - OF THE FRENCH AND BRITISH WAR COMMISSIONS 1917; signed on collar, D C FRENCH.

The reverse bears allegorical group of three figures. On the right, standing figure of female Liberty holding sword, greeting figures of Joan of Arc and medieval knight representing France and England. Signed at lower right, E.B.LONGMAN / SC. 1917.

The medal is numbered and edge-marked MEDALLIC ART CO. N Y.

The United States officially entered World War I in 1917 and quickly tried to coordinate the war effort with the the European allies. The French and British delegations were first to arrive and were given a spectacular reception. New York mayor John Purroy Mitchel had put together a Committee of Reception that was in charge of organizing the event. As part of the activities, the committee and the American Numismatic Association (ANS) teamed up to issue this commemorative medal. They engaged Daniel Chester French and Evelyn Longman to design the two sides of the medal. Evelyn Longman was one of French's students and the first woman sculptor to be elected a full member of the National Academy of Design in 1919.

Barbara Baxter considers this medal one of French's "most outstanding pieces," the other one being his American Red Cross medal.

This is the 34th official issue of the American Numismatic Society. The medal measures 63.4mm (2.5in) and was struck in bronze, silver and gold by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The mintage is 5 in gold, 109 in silver and 171 in bronze.

Many thanks to the Yale University Art Gallery for permission to use their images of the bronze variant.

References:   ANS 34, Baxter 317, MACo 1917-013, Marqusee 180

The obverse bears portrait of Joan of Arc in armor facing left, holding sword hilt up like a cross, face raised in prayer or contemplation. Around, :: HOMAGE ::+:: TO :+: THE :+: MAID :+: OF :+: FRANCE ::; signed at bottom, A - H

The reverse displays gothic banner of Joan of Arc with other pennants fluttering behind. Around, JOAN OF ARC PARK DEDICATED JANUARY 6, 1919.

This medal was the 39th issue of the American Numismatic Society. Miss Hyatt was chosen by the ANS to execte this beautiful and sensitive medal because she had created the distinctive statue of Joan of Arc on Riverside Drive, overlooking the Hudson River. The Vatican canonized Joan of Arc in the same year, therefore the medal was doubly appropriate and not just representative of the park dedication ceremony.

The medal measures 65mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The reported mintage is 1 piece in gold, 74 pieces in silver, 119 pieces in bronze and 1 piece in lead.

Many thanks to the Numismatic Department of the Yale University Art Gallery for their generosity and assistance in making the silver variant of this medal available for research.

References:   ANS 39, MACo 1918-008, Marqusee 206

The medal's obverse bears Jeanne d'Arc on horseback, holding a flag in one hand.  To left of horse, JEANNE / D'ARC; around, LE LYCEUM SOCIETY DES FEMMES DE FRANCE A NEW YORK

The medal's reverse bears double cross before sun over wreath and three shields bearing the French Republic's RF, sword and crown, and American Stars and Stripes. Around top, DOMREMY ORLEANS ROUEN; under double cross, VIVE LABEUR / (inscribed to MARAIN ABRAMS / - 1932 -); around bottom, MADAME CARLO POLIFEME - NEE WANECQ - PRESIDENTE - FONDATRICE - INC 1909

This medal was also called the "Jeanne d'Arc Medal" or the "Lyceum Prize" and was awarded to "that senior, resident of L'Isle de France, who showed the most helpful, loyal, devoted spirit."

The circular medal measures 67mm in diameter and was struck in gold-plated bronze.