All Medals

The medal's obverse bears Phoenix behind Chicago city skyline. Legend reading, 122nd ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION (star) AUGUST 13-17 2013 / AMERICAN / NUMISMATIC / ASSOCIATION / CHICAGO; signed with artist's (JNF monogram) at upper left edge of exergue.

The reverse bears building and four stars, second star burning, rising above deeply recessed center field. Two banners across, THE GREAT / CHICAGO - FIRE; around lower left, MDCCCLXXI

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was a massive conflagration that burnt for three days, killed up to 300 people and left 100,000 residents homeless. The fire started at about 9:00 p.m. on October 8, in or around a small barn belonging to the O'Leary family that bordered the alley behind 137 DeKoven Street. The shed next to the barn was the first building to be consumed by the fire, but city officials never determined the exact cause of the blaze. There has, however, been much speculation over the years. The most popular tale blames Mrs. O'Leary's cow, who allegedly knocked over a lantern; others state that a group of men were gambling inside the barn and knocked over a lantern. Still other speculation suggests that the blaze was related to other fires in the Midwest that day.

The circular medal measures 69.9mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medalcraft Mint of Green Bay, Wisconsin. The mintage was limited to 100 pieces.

The medal's obverse bears a rendering of the Thompson Trophy with a figure of Icarus at center, surrounded by ten stars with two single engine planes flying across from left to right. Around,on a raised band, a 2 line legend detailing the names of the trophy winners through 1941. Rx: At top are the company logos and below an inscription: DOUG / DAVIS - SPEED / HOLMAN - LOWELL / BAYLES - JIMMIE / DOOLITTLE - JIMMIE / WEDELL - ROSCOE / TURNER - HAROLD / NEUMANN - MICHEL / DETROYAT - RUDY / KLING - THE / THOMPSON / THROPHY.

The reverse bears corporate logos of Thompson Products and Thompson Aircraft Products Companies over oak branch; at bottom, aircraft parts.  Across, COMMEMORATING / THE DEDICATION OF THE PLANT OF/THOMPSON AIRCRAFT PRODUCTS COMPANY, EUCLID OHIO, / SUBSIDIARY OF/ THOMPSON PRODUCTS, INC. / CLEVELAND, - OHIO, / U·S·A; around bottom, A.D. - 1941.

The Thompson Trophy came about when a volunteer at the first National Air Races in 1929 approached Mr. Lee Clegg of the Thompson Products to see whether he might sponsor an award. Clegg was amenable to the idea and purchased a trophy for the sum of $25 plus $10 for the engraving.  After the races were a smashing success, Clegg suggested that the National Aeronautic Association authorize a permanent Thompson Trophy and that was done. A committee of judges then chose Walter Sinz's design which is depicted on the medal's obverse.

The trophy was awarded 11 times before 1941 but Roscoe Turner won it three times.

The circular medal measures 89mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. Neither artist nor mintage are reported and any additional information would be highly welcome.

References:   Baxter 240, MACo 1958-007

The medal's obverse bears youthful figure wearing gown in gesture of invocation towards star filled sky. Across, IN ALL THESE - TURNING LIGHTS / I FIND NO - CLUE, ONLY A / MASTERLESS - NIGHT. Named, signed and dated in tiny letters at bottom, "WINTERSET" - MARSHALL DAUGHERTY - 1977

The reverse bears curled up nude male figure on circular patch in center field. Around bottom, AND IN MY BLOOD NO CERTAIN ANSWER. In tiny letters on rim of center patch, © 1976 - MARSHALL DAUGHERTY SC.

The medal is inspired by the poem "Winterset" by Carla Kappmeyer-Sherwin. 

The circular medal measures 63.5mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut. No mintage is reported.

The obverse bears statue of LaFayette on horseback. To left and right, LAFA - YETTE / WE - ARE / HERE; signed at right, (JF monogram)

The looped medal's reverse bears statue of Lafayette, half right. Around, COMM· DEDIC· OF THE STATUE OF LAFA-YETTE PRES· TO THE CITY OF METZ BY THE / KNIGHTS - OF COLUMBUS; to left and right of statue, SEPT - EMBER / VI - MCMXX; signed in right field, (JF monogram)

It was in the year 1775 in the French city of Metz that the Marquis de LaFayette committed himself to the cause of the American Revolution. He became one of the central figures of the revolution and gained the undying gratitude of the young nation. In 1919, the Knights of Columbus sponsored an equestrian statue of LaFayette

"to commemorate the fraternal participation of France to the foundation of the United State (1775-1783) and to immortalize the sacrifice of the glorious French and American soldiers who died on the battlefields of Liberty, in 1914-1918."

In August 1920 one of the famous equestrian statues of Lafayette by the American sculptor P.W. Bartlett, was inaugurated in the Square Boufflers of Metz, near the very place where Lafayette stood in 1775 at the Governor's Palace.

The medal measures 41mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. Its mintage is not reported.

References:   Marqusee 147

References:   BG 39

The medal's obverse bears Mounty amidst trees and mountains.At his feet, a compass rose and seal of WEYERHAUSER FOREST PRODUCTS. Around, THE NORTHWEST PAPER COMPANY / 1898 · MANUFACTURERS · 1948

The medal's reverse bears large 50 with superimposed streamer reading 50 YEARS OF / MAKING BETTER PAPERS / 1898 - 1948.  Around, NORTHWEST PEDIGREED PAPERS / ALWAYS MAKE GOOD PRINTING BETTER

The medal was strucl in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

References:   MACo 1948-030

The medal's obverse bears eagle holding sprig of laurel in its beak, shield with star in background. Legend reading AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION / 121ST / ANNIVERSARY / CONVENTION / AUGUST / 7-11 / 2012 / PHILADELPHIA

The reverse bears portrait of David Rittenhouse, slight left, gear wheel and stars in background, his signature along left edge. Signed with artist's JNF monogram at lower right.

David Rittenhouse (1732-1796) was a renowned American astronomer, inventor, clockmaker, mathematician, surveyor, instrument craftsman and public official.  He was a member of the American Philosophical Society and served as the the first director of the U.S. Mint.

The circular medal measures 69.8mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medalcraft Mint of Green Bay, Wisconsin. The mintage was limited to 100 pieces.

This was the 25th official medal issued by the American Numismatic Society.

The obverse bears nude female seated, holding a mirror but turning face away from it. To left, in four lines, 1909; to right, THE / NEW / THEATRE / OF / NEW / YORK / (ANS logo)

The reverse bears a full length female figure standing, holding a tablet from which is suspended a garland. A crtain at each side is drawn back by a nude child; two Roman lamps below. Incuse at bottom, 1909.

Edge is numbered.

This medal was issued by the American Numismatic Society (ANS) to commemorate the opening of the New Theatre in New York. The New Theatre, located at 62nd Street and Central Park West opened on November 6, 1909. It was noted for its fine architecture but due to poor acoustics and an inconvenient location it was financially unsuccessful. The theater was ultimately demolished in 1931.

Although the medal is dated 1909, it was not actually made available to members until 1916. Barbara Baxter comments that

"... the medal commemorating the opening of the New Theatre in York, with its highly decorative figural compositions and sinuous lines, perfectly captures the spirit of the Gilded Age."

The medal comes in two sizes, one measuring 77mm in diameter, the other 106mm. It was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The reported mintage is 50 pieces in bronze for the larger size, at least 1 in gold, 50 in silver and 50 in bronze for the smaller size.

References:   ANS 25, Baxter 220, MACo 1909-003, Marqusee 323

References:   HSoNY 1918