All Medals

The uniface medallion's obverse bears a frontal bust of Walt Whitman wearing hat and large, unruly beard. Around top, WALT WHITMAN; over shoulder at left MCM XVI / (JF monogram) / MCM XIX

The edge is hallmarked with MEDALLIC ART CO NY BRONZE

Walter "Walt" Whitman (1819-1892) was an American poet, essayist and journalist. A humanist, he was a part of the transition between transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. The medallion commemorates the centenary of his birth.

The medallion measures 82.2mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. Its mintage is not reported.

References:   Baxter 156, MACo 1938-033, Marqusee 157

The medal's obverse bears Liberty walking alongside a Buffalo. Around top, PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION; in exergue, field for dedication.

The medal's reverse bears South-American and North-American Native Americans smoking peace pipe together, shields with representations of their respective continents at their feet. Above, BVFFALO / VSA MCMI

The Pan-American Exposition was a World's Fair held in Buffalo, New York from May 1st through November 2nd, 1901. The exposition is most remembered for the shooting of U.S. President William McKinley. Anarchist Leon Czolgosz shot him on September 6th while he was visiting the fair.

The medal exists in plain bronze, silver, gilted bronze, and gold variants. The silver and gold variants are very rare but no mintages have been reported. A golden piece was auctioned in 2017 by Rago Fine Arts for over $40,000. 

The medal measures 64mm in diameter and was manufactured by the Gorham Silver Company.

References:   Baxter 106, Marqusee 250

The uniface medallion bears two airships facing left and one balloon over stylized clouds at bottom. Around top, YEARS OF FRIENDLY RELATIONS; at left, large 35; at lower right, GOOD (logo) YEAR / LEADER IN / LIGHTER THAN / AIR CRAFT; signed at 5 o'clock, (RC monogram)

Based on my auction experience, this medallion is pretty rare.  It is also one of the signed medallions of the series so we can be sure that it was designed by Rene Paul Chambellan.

The circular medallion measures 108mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1948-041-x35

References:   Murtha 216

The obverse bears head of mother with closed eyes holding her child with long hand supporting head. Along left and right edges, PRO / PATRIA

The reverse depicts Prometheus chained to rock at ankles and wrists, attacked by eagle. At top, left, and right, PRO / HVMANI / TATE (mark composed of crossed flaming torches over bar); signed below, Joseph E. Renier. Sc. / ©

Renier dedicated this medal to "all those who contriute their something to life." He wrote in the medal's brochure:

"The underlying theme of this medal is the devotion of womanhood and manhood to country and to humanity. "

1941 was the year America officially entered World War II and the theme of "sacrifice" and "devotion" was lay heavily on people's minds. Prometheus' "For Humanity" applies to the legen just as it applied to how American's saw their involvement in the war.

This medal was chosen as the 23rd issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1941. It measures 73mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company of New York which struck 849 pieces in bronze and 100 in silver.

References:   MACo 1930-001-023, Marqusee 330, SoM 23

References:   MACo 1967-151-002

The obverse bears a large female figure gazing intently left; four small female figures holding lamp and lekythoi. Lower left quadrant, THE WISE / VIRGINS.

The reverse bears five female figures standing and sitting on stair with empty lamps; two sleek cats. Below, eight lines of text including six lines of verse: THE FOOLISH VIRGINS. / "NO LIGHT HAD WE, FOR THAT WE DO REPENT, / AND LEARNING THIS THE BRIDEGROOM WILL RELENT. / TOO LATE, TOO LATE, YE CANNOT ENTER NOW." / "NO LIGHT, SO LATE, AND DARK AND CHILL THE NIGHT. / O LET US IN, THAT WE MAY FIND THE LIGHT. / TOO LATE, TOO LATE, YE CANNOT ENTER NOW." / TENNYSON; below text, © HENRY KREIS.

The lines of poetry are an excerpt from Alfred Lord Tennyson's "Idylls of the King," which is based, as this medal is, on the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.

This medal was chosen as the 36th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. It measures 73mm and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The mintage was 599 pieces in bronze and 50 in silver.

References:   MACo 1930-001-036, SoM 36

References:   ANS 14, Baxter 123, Marqusee 89

The obverse bears the well-known reverse of the Athenian tetradrachm with owl, olive branch and ΑΘΕ. Around patinated background, - THOMAS J. WATSON - MEMORIAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP

The reverse bears year in center field, 19 / 63; around, - INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION

The edge is marked MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y.

The medal was commissioned by IBM as a physical token accompanying the more significant scholarship grant. As of 2014, the Thomas J. Watson Memorial Merit Scholarship awarded $2,000 per year to high achieving children of IBM employees. The grant is renewable for 4 years. Summer internship opportunities are also available to recipients.

The medal was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

References:   MACo 1961-013