All Medals

References:   Cal FM-1982

The obverse bears portrait of Joan of Arc in armor facing left, holding sword hilt up like a cross, face raised in prayer or contemplation. Around, :: HOMAGE ::+:: TO :+: THE :+: MAID :+: OF :+: FRANCE ::; signed at bottom, A - H

The reverse displays gothic banner of Joan of Arc with other pennants fluttering behind. Around, JOAN OF ARC PARK DEDICATED JANUARY 6, 1919.

This medal was the 39th issue of the American Numismatic Society. Miss Hyatt was chosen by the ANS to execte this beautiful and sensitive medal because she had created the distinctive statue of Joan of Arc on Riverside Drive, overlooking the Hudson River. The Vatican canonized Joan of Arc in the same year, therefore the medal was doubly appropriate and not just representative of the park dedication ceremony.

The medal measures 65mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The reported mintage is 1 piece in gold, 74 pieces in silver, 119 pieces in bronze and 1 piece in lead.

Many thanks to the Numismatic Department of the Yale University Art Gallery for their generosity and assistance in making the silver variant of this medal available for research.

References:   ANS 39, MACo 1918-008, Marqusee 206

The medal's obverse bears the original Federal Hall over the seal of the City of New York. Around top, NEW YORK CITY; around bottom, FIRST CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; under Fderal Hall, WASHINGTON'S INAUGURATION / FEDERAL HALL - 1789

The reverse bears five revolutionary soldiers with cannon and flag; ANS seal below; around, thirteen stars representing the original states. Around, BICENTENNIAL / 1776 / 1976 / AMERICAN REVOLUTION; signed below cannon, JOHN RUSSELL / RIDGE

This medal was the 52nd official issue of the American Numismatic Society in 1976.

As with the New York State Bicentennial Medal, the American Numismatic Society's influence ended with the design competition in 1972.  The medal was produced in six variant, five of which were struck by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut, and the silver proof medal struck by the Franklin Mint.  No mintages are reported for any of the variants.

References:   ANS 52

The galvano plaque bears portrait of moustachioed, older man, three quarters facing. Signed on truncation, Juszko 1912

While I could not definitively identify the subject of this plaque, I managed to locate a Medallic Art Company medal from 1913 in the ANS archives that has a very similar portrait differing only in details. It bears the legend "FAUST - DER MEPHISTO."  This makes me believe that the subject is an opera singer who performed as Dr. Faust at the Metropolitan Opera. 

The circular plaque measures 101.8mm in diameter.

The obverse bears bust of Lincoln, r. (no button holes on lapel). Around, SALVATOR / PATRIAE.

The reverse bears wreath around circumference; ribbon running through wreath with inscription PUB. BY THE / AMERICAN / NUMISMATIC / AND / ARCHAEOLOGICAL / SOCIETY / NEW YORK 1866. In center field, IN / MEMORY / OF THE / LIFE ACTS AND DEATH / OF / ABRAHAM LINCOLN / BORN FEBRUARY 12. 1809. / DIED APRIL 15. 1865.

This medal was produced by J.S. and A.B. Wyons of London.  The American Numismatic Society authorized Wyons to produce sets of reduced size medals in a variety of materials and purchased 25 sets for resale to its members. These medals were not officially issued by the ANS but they are authorized reductions of the official medal.

The following sizes and materials are known to exist: 35mm, 16mm, and 7mm in bronze, silver and white metal. While no mintages are reported, all of the variants are rare.

References:   ANS 1R

References:   Cal MC-2000-2

The medal's obverse bears bust of Brevet Colonel James Duncan,r., die crack runniing through bust from approx. 11 o'clock to 5 o'clock. Around, PALO ALTO, RESACA DE LA PALMA, MONTEREY, VERA CRUZ, CERRO GORDA, SAN ANTONIO.; to left and right of bust, BREVET COL. - JAMES DUNCAN. Signed under truncation, C.C. WRIGHT SC.; and at bottom, S. ELLIS DEL.

The reverse bears legend only. Around, CITY OF MEXICO, GARITA BELEN, GARITA COSME, CHAPULTEPEC, MOLINA DEL REY, CHERUBUSCO.; across, PRESENTED BY / THE CITIZENS OF N.YORK / TO / BREVT. COL. JAMES DUNCAN / OF THE / UNITED STATES ARMY / DEC. 28TH. 1848.

James Duncan (d. 1849) graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1834. Two years later, he served in the Florida war against the Seminole Indians and commanded an artillery company during the war with Mexico from 1846 to 1848. His heroics in the latter conflict caught the attention of army officials, and Duncan rose rapidly from captain to colonel. In late 1848, President James Polk appointed Colonel Duncan inspector general of the United States Army.

The medal was given to him just before his first tour of inspection when he visited New York. He died only months later from Yellow Fever which he contracted from troopers in Mobile, Alabama.

The circular medal measures 53.4mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the U.S. Mint. No mintage is reported, but the large die crack would argue for a small production run.

The medal's obverse bears portrait of Lincoln, facing left. Around, ABRAHAM - LINCOLN; to left and right, 1809 - 1865; signed around bottom, J.E.ROINÉ COPYRIGHT (MACO mark)

The reverse bears wreath formed by laurel and oak branch. At top, LIBERATOR, in center field, · EMANCIPATION / · PROCLAMATION · / SIGNED / · JANUARY· FIRST· 1863 · / Abraham Lincoln; at bottom, 1909 / CENTENNIAL · COMMEMORATION

The medal was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.  No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1909-005

The medal's obverse bears buffalo on mound, palm tree and four female figures representing the three native American and colonial European cultures. In exergue, THE THREE AMERICAS; above exergue at right, PHILA.

The reverse bears wreath of corn, cotton and tobacco around legend. In center field, AWARDED BY / THE / NORTH CENTRAL / AND / SOUTH AMERICAN / EXPOSITION / 1885 - 86 / NEW ORLEANS.

This is a very handsome exposition medal. I find it particularly interesting how the design incorporates four figures instead of the more commonly expected three.  Thus the figures become representative of  culture rather than geography.

The circular medal measures 73.2mm in diameter. No mintage is known.

The medal's obverse bears allegorical robed female figure representing the United States holding torch of Liberty in one hand and resting the other on shoulder of nude girl representing Indian; at right top, house with steeple and tree; underneath, THE ADMISSION / OF INDIANA / TO THE UNION; all surrounded by wreath. Signed at lower left, JANET SCUDDER ©

The reverse bears nature scene with bison and forest worker swinging axe; large sun with radiant beams rising above horizon. Around, INDIANA / 1816 (star) 1916

The circular medal measures 63.4mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and gold-plated bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The mintage is reported as 918 numbered proofs. I am not certain whether this count includes the gold-plated peices or not.

Many thanks to the staff of the Yale University Art Gallery for their support and assistance and making this medal available to me for research.

References:   Baxter 192, MACo 1916-011