The plaquette's obverse bears bust of Josiah K. Lilly facing right. Below, signature J. K. Lilly; signed in bottom right corner, KILENYI.
The plaquette's reverse bears 13-line inscription, 1876 / COMMEMORATING / THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY / OF THE FOUNDING OF / ELI LILLY AND COMPANY / AND / THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY / OF THE CONNECTION WITH / THE COMPANY OF / JOSIAH KIRBY LILLY / ITS / BELOVED PRESIDENT / 1926
Josiah K. Lilly Sr. (1861-1948) started working at Eli Lilly and Co., the company his father had founded, when he was 14 years old, eventually becoming chairman of the board.
Lilly was also a philanthropist who supported the projects of charitable and civic organizations in Indianapolis and in Indiana. Lily and his two sons established the Lilly Endowment in 1937 with Eli Lilly and Company stock valued as $280,000. It became one of the largest charitable foundations in the world.
The rectangular plaque measures 76mm x 101.5mm and was struck in bronze by the Whitehead-Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey. While no mintage is reported Harry Waterson, citing "good information," estimates it to be around 700 pieces.