All Medals

The obverse bears kneeling native American brave, peering into distance; behind, grain elevator, air plane, locomotive, powerline and smokestacks. Above, SURELY BUFFALO ADVANCES.

The reverse bears image of Buffalo City Hall. Above, BUFFALO CENTENNIAL; below, 1832 - 1932.

The Buffalo City Hall was completed just one year before the city's centennial. It is one of the largest and tallest municipal buildings in the United States and one of the tallest buildings in Western New York. It was designed by John Wade, chief architect, with the assistance of George Dietel. The friezes were sculpted by Albert Stewart and the sculpture executed by Rene Paul Chambellan. At a guess, one of the two also designed and modeled this medal but I can't be sure.

This medal measures 57mm (2 1/4in) in diameter.

References:   Marqusee 16

The medallion's obverse bears portrait of Isidore Konti facing left. Around, ····· ISIDORE · KONTI ····· SCULPTOR ····· MCMXV

The reverse bears figures of old, toga-wearing man and boy holding lyre walking together towards right; bird behind them, sun above, all within beaded border. Around, · GUIDE · PHIL-OSOPHER · AND · FRIEND ·; signed under arm of older man at right, ·PAUL· / ·MAN / SHIP·

Isidore Konti (1862-1938) was a Vienna-born (of Hungarian parents) sculptor. He began formal art studies at the age of 16 when he entered the Imperial Academy in Vienna, where he studied under Edmund von Hellmer.  Konti moved to the United States sometime in the early 1890s where his skills were much in demand during the great international exhibitions.

Konti took the young Manship under his wings when he moved from Philadelphia to New York, right after he had finished his studies with Charles Grafly at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. In the years from 1908 to 1909 Manship worked as Konti's assistant. Konti encouraged him to submit his work and Manship became the youngest artist to win the American Prix de Rome. This set the stage for studies in Italy and Greece, and firmed up Manship's everlasting devotion to classical themes.

The circular medallion measures 90mm in diameter and was cast in bronze. The number of cast pieces is not known.

References:   Murtha 64

The obverse bears facade of building with four columns; in center, female figure representing Art descending steps, holding statuette in right and laurel wreath in left hand. On sides, representations of Painting and Sculpture. Above, CHARACTER RELIGION FRIENDSHIP; immediately below, MDC / CCXXX / VII and MCM / XIII; at lower left, (ANS seal); signed at lower right, E. FUCHS

The reverse bears tablet inscribed JOHN / PIERPONT / MORGAN flanked by two draped figures, female holding palm branch representing Fame at left, male with sledge hammer and anvil representing Industry at right.

This is the 30th official issue of the American Numismatic Society.

The rectangular medal measures 90mm x 74mm and was struck by Whitehead and Hoag of Newark, New Jersey. The mintage is 1 piece in gold, 100 pieces in silver and an 200 pieces in bronze.

References:   ANS 30, Baxter 292, Marqusee 188

The medal's obverse bears the seal of Puerto Rico.

The reverse depicts a view of the Capitol Building in San Juan. Around top, 1970 CONVENTION SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO; under building, CAPITOL BUILDING - Batista ~ 1970; in exergue, NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF / STATE LEGISLATIVE / LEADERS

The medal's obverse bears idealized forest scene with with doe nuzzling fawn on left side and owls perched on pine branch on right side. Signed at bottom, Eliscu

The reverse bears calendar panel flanked by owls with fawn above. At bottom, 1991

This was the 17th medal issued by the Medallic Art Company in its annual calendar medal series. As noted in the brochure that accompanied the medal:

"The 1991 Calendar Medallion by Frank Eliscu is a beautifully sculpted reminder for us to concern ourselves with our environment and to protect animal habitats."

"Beautifully sculpted reminder" is a very aptly chosen phrase because the medal's obverse was reused from the very first medal in the calendar medal series issued in 1975. I don't know what the rationale behind that choice was.  Maybe the designs for the next planned medal were running late, maybe the Medallic Art company was in business turmoil at the time, but regardless, Frank Eliscu saw his design used twice in one medal series!

The circular medal measures 76.2mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and (probably) silver by the Medallic Art Company. No mintages are reported.

References:   Cal MA-1991

The medal's obverse bears a whippet in classic pose, facing right, gently sloping horizon and sun hinted at in background. Signed at bottom right, K · Lang.

The reverse has legend only. In centerfield, SHOW / WESTMINSTER / KENNEL CLUB / 1930 / WON BY / CH. NORA / OF / SIONHILL; around, (star) AMERICAN WHIPPET CLUB (star) / BEST OF BREED

The Whippet is a medium-sized sighthound, combining elegance and athleticism with a friendly, amiable disposition. In temperament, the Whippet is affectionate and gentle, but is capable of great intensity during sporting events. Originating in England, the breed was first recognized in this country by the American Kennel Club in 1888.

The circular medal measures 50.7mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and sterling silver by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintages are reported.

References:   MACo 1930-031

The medal's obverse bears giant Colossus statue straddling harbor entrance with ship sailing underneath; view of harbor and island behind. Signed on left foundation, DAB

The reverse bears calendar panel on sail of Greek sailing vessel; birds in sky. At top, 2003

The Colossus of Rhodes calendar medal was the sixth issue in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World series. It was probably designed by Mark Frost and certainly sculpted by Douglas A. Birdwell. The medal is drilled at the bottom to allow it to be pin-mounted on a display stand. 

The circular medal measures 76.4mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company of Dayton, Nevada. No mintages are reported.  The bronze pieces originally sold for $34.95, the silver pieces for $169.

References:   Cal MA-2003

References:   ANS 15, Baxter 125, Marqusee 65

The medal's obverse bears conjoined busts of astronaut and pioneer facing right, globe with orbiting satellite and space capsule, and Conestoga wagon with oxen and drivers. Above, REINSURANCE; at bottom, PIONEERS OF THE PAST AND OF THE FUTURE

The reverse bears ERC initials on a diagonal, flanked by 1914 and 1964. Around top, EMPLOYERS REINSURANCE CORPORATION; at bottom, OUR 50TH YEAR

The Employers Reinsurance Corporation was a Kansas-based reinsurance company that was first acquired by GE Capital and in 2005 by Swiss Re.

The circular medal measures 76.5mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. Neither maker, nor artist or mintage are known and any information would be highly welcome.