All Medals

The medal's obverse bears head of Native American in feathered head-dress facing left.

The reverse bears two leafy stalks flanking legend: SOUVENIR / PENNY / (star) / OF / BOSTON

This is a very large and beautiful "penny" about which I know next to nothing. The "Indian Head" pennies were struck until 1909 and had a design very similar to this on their obverse. There seems to be a wide variety of these Indian Head souvenir medals that pair the beautiful bust on the obverse with different inscriptions or designs on the reverse.  Any information on these medals would be appreciated.

The circular medal measures 74.5mm in diameter and appears to have been cast in a base medal and possibly silver-plated.

References:   Marqusee 227

The obverse image depicts the Farnham monumen of Simon Bolivar. Around, MONVMENTO · ERIGIDO · EN · LA · COLINA · BOLIVAR · DEL · CENTRAL · PARK · DE · NVEVA · YORK · E · INAVGVRADO · EL · 19 · DE · ABRIL · DE · 1921; signed on exergue, SALLY JAMES FARNHAM / ©

The reverse shows two allegorical figures representing the two American continents united in the causes of Liberty and Justice, rising sun to their left. Around, "LA · GLORIA · ESTA · EN · SER · GRANDE · Y · EN · SER · VTIL - BOLIVAR"; over sun, EL · LIBERTADOR / 1783 - 1830

Farham created this medal to commemorate the dedication of her best-known work, the equestrian Simon Bolivar in New York's Central Park.

The Whitehead and Hoag Company, as well as the Medallic Art Company each struck versions of this 2 1/2 inch medal. Farnham exhibited it at the 1923 annual exhibition of the National Academy of Design.

Many thanks to the creator of sallyjamesfarnham.org for the beautiful images and the associated information.

References:   MACo 1921-040, Marqusee 137

References:   MACo 1966-001-004, WWII 4

The medal's obverse bears portrait of Gustav Killian, facing. Around, * BRONCHOSCOPY * MCMVII * FRONTAL · SINVS · OPERATION *; signed over right shoulder, ·J·E·ROINE· /  ·FECIT·

The medal's reverse bears oil lamp at top.  Around, AMERICAN · LARYNGOLOGICAL · RHINOLOGICAL · AND · OTOLOGICAL SOCIETY; across, · IN · RECOGNITION · OF · HIS · / · LEADERSHIP · / * · IN · * / · LARYNGOLOGY · AND / · RHINOLOGy · AND · / · IN · MEMORY · OF · THE · / · GOODFELLOWSHIP · OF · / · GVSTAV · KILLIAN · / · 1907 ·

The edge is plain.

Gustav Killian (1860-1921) was a German laryngologist and inventor of bronchoscopy.

The circular medal was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. It exists both with a Deitsch Brothers edge mark and with a plain edge. No mintage is reported.

Many thanks to an eBay'er who granted me the right to use the images and wishes to remain anonymous.

References:   Baxter 297, MACo 1907-005

References:   Cal FM-1972

The medal's obverse bears historical trademark of stag leaping over log, radiant background pattern. As part of trademark design, JOHN DEERE / MOLINE, ILL.; on log, TRADEMARK; on small panel below, HISTORICAL TRADEMARK / 1876

The reverse bears calendar panel on stylized front view of tractor's cooler grill with John Deere logo above; large profile wheels to each side. In exergue, 1984

John Deere is the brand name of Deere & Company. The company grew from a blacksmith shop in Grand Detour, Illinois, which Deere had opened in 1837 after escaping bankruptcy in his hometown of Rutland, Vermont. He invented the steel plow, solving the problem of the rich, fertile Midwestern soil sticking to iron plowshares, which forced the farmers to stop frequently to clean them. The company grew quickly and in 1853 his son Charles joined him in the business.

The company logo that is on the medal's obverse was used between 1876 and 1912, coinciding roughly with Charles Deere's reign of the company. He died in 1907 and was succeeded by his son-in-law William Butterworth.

The circular medal measures 76.1mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut. No mintage is reported.

References:   Cal JD-1984

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

The medal's obverse bears a pod of dolphins leaping from ocean wave. Signed at bottom, EVERHART II

The reverse bears calendar panel flanked by dolphins. Above, 1984.

The circular medal measures 76.2mm in diameter and was struck in various materials by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut. No mintages are reported.

References:   Cal MA-1984

This uniface variant's obverse bears a stylized tre with buds and birds. Around, · THE GARDEN CLUB · / OF AMERICA

The circular medal measures 74.8mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1938-007