The obverse shows Gilpin astride a runaway horse, surrounded by geese, dogs, and children. Above and below, THE CALDECOTT / MEDAL

The reverse bears bald man carrying a bird pie, being attacked by three birds. Around top, FOR THE MOST DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN / PICTURE BOOK FOR CHILDREN; four lines around bottom, AWARDED ANNUALLY BY / THE CHILDREN'S AND SCHOOL / LIBRARIANS SECTIONS OF THE / AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION; signed to right of figure, (RC monogram)

The Randolph Caldecott Medal annually recognizes the preceding year's "most distinguished American picture book for children", beginning with 1937 publications. It is awarded to the illustrator by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association.

The scene on the obverse is based on Randolph Caldecott's 1878 front cover illustration for "The Diverting History of John Gilpin", itself based on a 1782 poem by William Cowper. The reverse is based on "Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie," one of Caldecott's illustrations for the nursery rhyme "Sing a Song of Sixpence."

This bronze medal has a diameter of 58mm and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York.