All Medals

The medal's obverse bears female figure r., seated on ionic capital, holding model of building in outstretched hands; greek temple in background.  Around top, · ALPHA - RHO · CHI · ; signed at right bottom, GAGE

The medal's reverse bears inscription field atop pillar, nine stars above. OVer pillar, LEADERSHIP / SERVICE / MERIT; inscribed to HENRY VANNIER SHRIVER / 1952 / V.P.I.

Alpha Rho Chi is a professional co-educational college fraternity for students studying architecture and related professions. The fraternity's name is derived from the first three letters of the Greek word for architecture, αρχιτεκτονική. It was founded through the merger of two fraternities from the state universities of Michigan and Illinois.

The octagonal medal measures 50mm x 50.5mm and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.  No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1931-018

The uniface plaquette bears bust of Lincoln, facing right, in circular incuse field, sun at bottom left corner, slave with chained wrist looking up from bottom right. At top, 1809 - 1865; at bottom, LINCOLN

Unfortunately, I know next to nothing about this handsome little plaquette.  Any additional information would be highly welcome.

The rectangular plaquette measures 39.1mm x 50.7mm and was struck in bronze. No mintage is reported.

The uniface medalet bears bust of a girl named Vera, facing right. Around right, VERA; signed (AP monogram) 36

I will have to do more research to establish the relationship between Pietz and this girl. For now, I assume that she was his daughter.

The circular uniface medalet measures 38mm in diameter. No mintage is reported.

The medal's obverse bears kneeling, shrouded female figure laying down wreath at artist's brushes and palette; columns in background. Around, MEMORIAL · TO · CAROL · H · BECK · / · MDCCCCIX · ; signed at bottom right, JJ Boyle

The medal's reverse bears artist's palette and brshes with wreaths at bottom. Across, · THE PENNSYLVANIA · / · ACADEMY · OF · THE · FINE · ARTS · / · ANNUAL · EXHIBITION · / · AWARDED · TO ·

Carol H. Beck (1859-1908) was a student the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Schools from 1879 to 1884, where she studied under Thomas Eakins. She studied in Dresden, and at the Académie Julian in Paris. She returned to PAFA in 1899, where she did additional study under William Merritt Chase. In the same year shw won the Mary Smith Prize for best painting by a Philadelphia woman artist. 

Her brother sponsored the "Beck Gold Medal" in her memory.  It was awarded for the best painting by an American Artist exhibited at the PAFA annual exhibition.  Recipients included John Singer Sargent, Robert Henri, George Bellows, John Sloan and Thomas Hart Benton.

The circular medal measures 50.8mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and gold by the Philadelphia Mint. No mintage is reported.

The medallion's obverse bears figure in bedouin garb, hand over eyes as if to shield them from the sun. Across, TO / GREATER VISION THROUGH / OPTICAL SCIENCE / BAUSCH / & LOMB; around bottom, · CONTINUOUS · CONTROL · OF · EVERY · PROCESS · THROUGH · GLASS · MAKING · AND · SCIENTIFIC · COMPUTATION · TO · FINISHED · PRODUCT · ; signed and dated at bottom over rim, C.A. HAFNER 1919

The reverse bears legend only; across, THIS MEDALLION WAS / CREATED FOR / BAUSCH & LOMB OPTICAL CO. / OF ROCHESTER, N.Y. / BY / FRANK SEAMAN INCORPORATED / MERCHANDISING AND / ADVERTISING SERVICE / NEW YORK; at bottom over rim, GORHAM CO.

This is a simple and beautiful corporate advertising medal that reminds me a little bit of Daniel Chester French's great "Mourning Victory," even though the subject matter is totally different.

The circular medallion measures 89.2mm in diameter, 9mm in thickness, and weighs in at a massive 507g. It was manufactured by the Gorham Manufacturring Company of Providence, Rhode Island. No mintage is reported.

Many thanks to Igor A. Osipov for identifying the artist based on the tiny signature that I could not make out on my medal and providing me with the medal's weight.  My scale only goes to 500g...

The reverse depicts Poland Exhibit bilding at World's Fair surrounded by two trees. In exergue, REPUBLIC OF POLAND / EXHIBITION / NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR / 1940

Ignace Jan Paderewski was one of the most famous pianists of his age and an inspiration to Polish nationals. In addition to being a world-renown pianist, he was also famous for his wit. One anecdote recounts how he was introduced to a polo player with the words:

"You are both leaders in your spheres though the spheres are very different."

He replied:

"Not so very different. You are a dear soul who plays polo, and I am a poor Pole who plays solo."

Kilenyi admired Paderewski and, when he was retained to design a medal symbolizing the friendship between the United States and Poland, he picked his likeness for the obverse. Because Paderewski was unable to sit for him and photos and drawings were not sufficient Kilenyi watched Moonlight Sonata, a movie featuring the famous pianist, to capture Paderewski's essence.

The obverse bears muscular men raising a fluted pillar. Above, THERE WILL BE OTHER TOWERS; in exergue, (circled 19) FOR THEE TO / BUILD (circled 40); above ground line at left, © HANCOCK

The reverse bears a shattered oak stump with two hardy well-leafed shoots; sun behind.

Hancock designed this optimistic medal when the second World War was still young. His message was that renewal and creation will surely follow death and destruction. As he wrote in his message "From the Artist":

"As the earth renews itself after the ruin of storm, so man must rebuild his towers -material and spiritual- after the wreck of war."

This medal was chosen as the 22nd issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1940. It measures 73mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. Its reported production quantity is 894 pieces in bronze and 100 in silver.

References:   MACo 1930-001-022, Marqusee 199, SoM 22

The medal's obverse bears winged female figure holding crown of laurels, standing behind seated metalworker with objects of his profession scattered around him.  Shield with Heeren Brothers "H" logo  leaning against stand with kylix at right. In exergue, 1867 - 1917

The reverse bears first company building at left and present building at right. Around top and across, IN COMMEMORATION OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY / of / HEEREN BROS / AND COMPANY / 1867 / 1917 / MANUFACTURING /JEWELERS & IMPORTERS / PITTSBURGH, PA.

The circular medal measures 78mm in diameter.  No mintage is reported.

References:   Marqusee 230

The obverse bears man and woman holding baby; daisy at l., ear of wheat at r. Above, PEACE / IS / LIFE; below, © HOWARD

The reverse bears skull with gaping jaw; landscape with burning buildings, steeple, dead tree. Above, WAR / IS / DEATH

In the brochure accompanying the medal Howard wrote:

"The theme of this medal is so obvious as to demand very little explanation. I should like to say, however, the 'Life' and 'Death' as here used, are intended to mean not only physical life and death, but the preservation or destruction of civilization and moral values as well."

This medal was chosen as the 42nd issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1950.  It measures 72mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. Its reported mintage is 842 pieces in silver-plated bronze.

References:   MACo 1930-001-042, SoM 42