All Medals

References:   MACo 1928-026

The medal's obverse bears a muscular nude goddess of art holding a small Nike with Pegasus and guiding star behind. The reverse bears a hand holding a modeling tool in front of a caliper and L-square. Around, THIS ABOVE ALL TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE.

The purpose of Abram Belskie's medal is not known, but the title, a line from Shakespeare's Hamlet, suggests that this medal was commissioned to honor artistic achievement and to encourage artists to follow their own creative impulses. In the artist's own words:

"The drama of Sculpture does not always appear on the surface but its story is indeed the story of civilization. Art is a goddess who smiles upon all, though mostly on her votaries and whose charms are very young. The sculptors of every age are the true mute though not inglorious laureates of their time and as long as men remain men, the principals [sic] of eternal beauty will woo their imagination."

This medal was chosen as the 49th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. The Society's members seemed torn on this medal. While some found it beautiful and even without peer, others objected to lack of detail, anatomical weaknesses, and being "too modernistic for plain men."

The circular medal measures 73mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company.  The mintage was reported as 748 pieces in bronze. The number of silver pieces is not known but the edition was limited to 700.

References:   MACo 1930-001-049, SoM 49

The obverse bears running locomotive with figure of Mercury flying overhead and carrying tray with fruit and bottle; sun rays with date "1930" in background; bolts of lightning emerging from train wheels; all within beaded border; surrounding legend SOUTHERN RAILWAY SYSTEM CENTENNIAL / South Carolina 1830 Virginia 1831 Alabama 1832.

The reverse bears cornucopia at center with legend COTTON CORN TOBACCO; all within beaded border; surrounding legend A CENTURY OF SERVICE CARRYING TO MARKET THE FRUITS OF THE EARTH.

This is one of the iconic American medals and is a part of many museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

The medal is struck in bronze and measures 89mm (3 1/2in) in diameter.

References:   MACo 1930-017

The obverse bears a likeness of Charles Lindbergh wearing flight gear, goggles dangling over his chest, with the inscription "CHARLES AUGUSTUS LINDBERGH" and Frederick MacMonnies' monogram FM / 1931 / ©

The reverse bears an allegorical scene together with the inscription "LONE EAGLE."

Lindbergh's non-stop transatlantic flight from Long Island to Paris took place between May 20th and 21st 1927. Not only did he win $25,000 in prize money for the first non-stop flight from New York to Paris, he also captivated the imagination of an entire generation. Upon his arrival at the airfield of Le Bourget, just outside of Paris, a 100,000 strong crowd gave him a hero's welcome. His achievement was commemorated in countless stamps, medals, and commemorative issues of all kinds.

MacMonnies created this medal four years after the flight and late in his career. He tried to convey Lindbergh' spirit and courage on the obverse. In MacMonnies' own words:

"To attempt to commemorate Lindbergh's mighty achievement within the tiny compass of a three inch medal is preposterous, and if one does not succeed in represeting even a faint suggestion if the sublime courage that faced appaling odds - the fascinating problem is compensation enough. In the head of Lindbergh I have tried to catch something of the inner belief and nobility of vision of the boy, together with the experience of the master airman."

MacMonnies likely based his obverse design on the iconic photo of Lindbergh shown here.

This medal was chosen as the fourth issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1931. Struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York, this medal measures 73mm in diameter. The reported production quantity is 1,989 in bronze and 250 in silver though there were two additional 32mm-diameter editions in bronze and silver.

References:   MACo 1930-001-004, Marqusee 249, SoM 4

References:   MACo 1971-013-010, WR 10

The medal's obverse bears nude crouching sculptor holding mallet and chisel, seated on rocky outcropping in front of winged steed. Signed at lower right (LGF monogram)

The medal's revese bears flaming torch flanked by two small sea shells at bottom. Around top, NATIONAL SCULPTURE SOCIETY; across, SPECIAL - MEDAL / OF - HONOR

Francis Keally (1889 - 1978) was a New York architect and designer whose major works can be found in the the Public Library in Berlin, Germany, the Brooklyn Public Library, the Oregon State Capitol and the expansion of the Detroit Public Library. In addition to his architectural projects, Keally was an avid supporter of preserving the artistic works of others. He also served as president of the Municipal Art Society, as well as president of the Fine Arts Federation.

The National Sculpture Society only awards its Medal of Honor as the occasion arises.  Notable recipients include Archer Huntington, Daniel Chester French, Joseph Veach Noble, Elliot Offner, Neil Estern, Stanley Bleifeld and James J. Jennewein.  You are certainly in good company if you have received this medal.

The medal measures 101mm in diameter and was struck in gilt bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.  No mintage is reported.

Many thanks to Rhode Island Internet Consignment & Antiques for granting me the right to use the images from their auction.

References:   MACo 1929-019

The medal's obverse bears bust of Washington Allston, facing right.  Around left and right, WASHINGTON - ALLSTON; signed at bottom, P. P. DUGGAN DEL.  C. C. WRIGHT SC.

The reverse bears standing Columbia with American shield, crowning two artists, one holding sculptor's mallet, the other painter's pallet and brushes, on step below. Around top, AMERICAN - ART-UNION; signed and dated on steps, P.P. DUGGAN DEL. / 1847 - C.C. WRIGHT SC.

Washington Allston (1779-1843) was a famous American painter and poet who was born in Waccamaw River, South Carolina. After traveling a lot, he spent most of his later life in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  He is buried in Harvard Square. A western suburb of Boston, Allston, is named after him.

This was the first medal in the American Art-Union medal series.

The circular medal measures 64.2mm in diameter and was struck in bronze at the U.S. Mint. No mintage is reported.

Many thanks to eBayer Pat who granted me permission to use the images of the silver variant and to Tom Rogahn who pointed them out to me.

References:   AAU 1, Storer 1860, Marqusee 409

The medal's obverse bears portrait bust of Garfield facing left. Around, JAMES A. - GARFIELD; signed under truncation, C. BARBER F.

The reverse bears a laurel wreath in centerfield. Around, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; in wreath, INAUGURATED / MARCH 4. / 1881.

James A. Garfield was only president for 199 days. This lovely design was used until Garfield's Assassination in July of 1881. He was shot on July 2 by a disgruntled lawyer  while waiting at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington D.C.  It took Garfield till September 19th to die from an infection he probably contracted from his doctor's ministrations. His death made a new reverse design necessary which bore his death date.

As a consequence of his short time in office and the redesign of the reverse, only 89 medals with the original design were struck, so this is a pretty rare presidential inauguration medal. The medal is often referred to as Julian PR-20.

The circular medal measures 77mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the U.S. Mint.  The mintage is reported as 89 pieces.