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American Red Cross War Council Medal
1921
by Daniel Chester French
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Bronze
Description

The obverse bears bust-length profile image of soldier wearing helmet. Signed below bust, DCF.

The reverse bears image of nurse attending injured soldier depicted within cross. Above, THE AMERICAN RED CROSS; to left and right of vertical bar of cross, TO COMMEMORATE - THE VISION AND / ACHIEVEMENT OF - THE WAR COUNCIL / 1917 - 1919; signed below cross, WHL / DCF.

The medal is numbered and contains the maker's mark MEDALLIC ART CO. NY.

This medal was the 42nd issue of the American Numismatic Society. It was co-issued with the American Red Cross in 1920. Daniel Chester French designed it and the Medallic Art Company executed it. The initials of Reverend William H. Low in the medal's reverse were included due to his suggestion that the the nurse stand in front of the bed.

The medal was awarded to twelve New York businessmen who volunteered for the War Council of the American Red Cross. As the Red Cross Bulletin Vol. IV No. 51 (December 13, 1920) states:

"The General Board also presented to the four members of the Wat Council who were present the special Daniel Chester French medal, authorized at its last meeting in recognition of their war service. These were Eli Wadsworth, Cornelius N. Bliss Jr., George E. Scott and Charles D. Norton. The eight other members of the War Council who will receive their medal are Henry P. Davison, chairman; William Howard Taft, George B. Case, Jesse H. Jones, Edward N. Hurley, John D. Ryan, Grayson M., P. Murphy, and Harvey D. Gibson."

The medal measures 70mm (2.75in) and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The reported mintage is 12 pieces in gold, 4 in silver and 205 in bronze.

Many thanks to the Yale University Art Gallery for permission to use the images of the bronze variant.

References:   ANS 42, Baxter 327, MACo 1920-017, Marqusee 176

Variant Details

This section contains a table of detailed variant information. Currently, I am only aware of 3 variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any others or if you find incorrect or missing information.

materialBronze
edge6MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y.
diameter70mm
weight136.2g
mintage205 reported
materialSilver
edge6
diameter70mm
mintage4 reported
materialGold
edge6
diameter70mm
mintage12 reported
Last modified: Nov 1, 2017 17:56
Simon J. Murphy Medal
1927
by Franz F. Eue
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Description

The medal's obverse bears portrait of Simon J. Murphy, Sr., facing. Around, SIMON J. MURPHY / 1815 - 1905; signed under truncation at right, Eue

The reverse bears a view of the Penobscot Building. Above, PENOBSCOT; over smaller building in background, 1915; below, 1927 1905

Simon J. Murphy Sr. (1815-1905) was a Maine businessman who started out as a logger and ended up in control of vast lumber lands in Michigan and all over America.  He started the take-over of the Pacific Lumber Company, which succeeded two months after his death. The buildings on the reverse are located in Detroit's financial district.

The circular medal measures 76.1mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Whitehead-Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey. No mintage is reported.

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

materialBronze
edge6WHITEHEAD-HOAG
diameter76.1mm
weight164.6g
mintageunknown
Last modified: Oct 26, 2017 16:53
Simon Bolivar Monument Dedication Medal
1921
by Sally James Farnham
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Description

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

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

materialBronze
edge6
diameter63.9mm
mintageunknown
Last modified: Oct 26, 2017 16:53
Cicada Days - Firefly Nights
2016
by Lawrence Noble
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Description

The medal's obverse bears large cicada with spread wings as seen from above on raised convex centerfield, front legs raised towards stylized sun in curved triangle.  Around, CICADA DAYS / BROOKGREEN GARDENS

The reverse bears firefly facing left in front of vegetation on surface bearing stylized moon. Around, FIREFLY NIGHTS / SOUTH CAROLINA

This was the 44rd of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 2016.

The circular medal measures 76mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company. No mintage is reported.

References:   BG 44

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

materialBronze
edge6
diameter76mm
weight244g
mintageunknown
Last modified: Jan 28, 2018 18:42
Governor James Michael Curley Medal
1936
by John Francis Paramino
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Description

This medal's obverse bears bust of Curley facing three quarters left. Around, GOVERNOR JAMES MICHAEL CURLEY; signed above shoulder at right, Parafino / Sc.

This medal's reverse bears a summary of Curley's public service career surrounded by laurel wreath, seal of the Commonwealth at bottom. Inscription reads MEMBER / OF / BOSTON / COMMON COUNCIL / 1900 - 1901 / MASS. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES / 1902 - 1903 / BOARD OF ALDERMEN / 1904 - 1905 · 1906 - 1907 · 1908 - 1909 / CITY COUNCIL 1910 - 1911 / 62nd AND 63rd CONGRESS 1911- 1915 / MAYOR OF BOSTON / 1914 - 1917 · 1922 - 1925 · 1930 - 1933 / GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS / 1935 - 1936

James Michael Curley (1874-1958) was one of the most colorful Massachusetts politicians ever and a perfect example of the old-style machine politics of the first half of the 20th century. He rose from poverty to become councillor, member of the House, Mayor of Boston, and even Governor of Massachusetts.

His legendary popularity includes getting elected into public office while serving jail terms for fraud, corruption, and bribery. While the legal troubles gave him a bad reputation among the old upper class Wasps of Boston, the increasingly numerous and vocal Irish immigrant class unfailingly supported him during his career.

In one popular stunt, while Governor of Massachusetts, he appeared at the Harvard University commencement ceremony wearing silk stockings, knee britches, a powdered wig, and a three-cornered hat with flowing plume. When University marshals objected to his costume, the story goes, Curley whipped out a copy of the Statutes of the Massachusetts Bay Colony which prescribed proper dress for the occasion and claimed that he was the only person at the ceremony properly dressed, thereby endearing him to many working and middle class Yankees.

Unlike many other local politicians, James Michael Curley has not been forgotten. Curley is widely believed to have been the model for protagonist Frank Skeffington in the Edwin O'Connor novel "The Last Hurrah". Spencer Tracey portrayed Skeffington in a John Ford film based on the novel. Since Curley, every Boston mayor has been driven in a car with the license registration 576, representing the number of letters in his first, middle, and last name: James (5) Michael (7) Curley (6). The Curley family still holds Massachusetts auto registration number 5. It is owned by his step-son Richard.

The round medal measures 76.1mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. Its mintage is not reported.

References:   MACo 1936-037

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

materialBronze
edge6MEDALLIC ART CO. N Y.
diameter76.1mm
weight183.3g
mintageunknown
Last modified: Oct 26, 2017 16:20
MIT Alumni William Barton Rogers Building Dedication Medal
1916
by Charles Keck
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Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

materialBronze
diameter73mm
mintageunknown
Last modified: Oct 26, 2017 16:09
Waccamaw River Otters
2005
by Carter Jones
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Description

The medal's obverse bears two otters, one standing on hind legs, on grassy land. Above, BROOKGREEN GARDENS; below, South Carolina

The reverse bears diving otter amidst fish and water plants.

This was the 33rd of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 2005.

The circular medal measures 76mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company. No mintage is reported.

References:   BG 33

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

materialBronze
diameter76mm
mintageunknown
Last modified: Jan 7, 2018 21:05
Christmas Medal
1975
by Bruno Lucchesi
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Bronze
Description

The medal's obverse bears female angel in flight, reaching for a star in the firmament. Signed at bottom, B. LUCCHESI

The reverse bears two hands holding an eight-pointed star. Across, Christmas / 1975; at right bottom, © MACO / 1975

The circular medal measures 63.4mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver bu the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1975-164

Variant Details

This section contains a table of detailed variant information. Currently, I am only aware of 2 variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any others or if you find incorrect or missing information.

materialBronze
edge6
diameter63.4mm
mintageunknown
materialSterling silver
edge6MEDALLIC ART CO. DANBURY. CT. STERLING
diameter63.4mm
weight157.4g
mintageunknown
Last modified: Dec 21, 2017 15:14
Artists for Victory Exhibition Medal
1942
by Carl L. Schmitz
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Description

The uniface medal's obverse bears bust of female goddess of war or victory with helmet and spear. Around edge, ARTISTS FOR VICTORY INC. EXHIBITION; under truncation, METROPOLITAN / MUSEUM OF ART; at bottom, 1942; signed to right of helmet crest, C. L. SCHMITZ

The December 1942 Artists for Victory exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum was a huge artistic competition with prizes being awarded for hundreds of works in many different categories. The jury had to select from a pool of 14,000 works to come up with the still enormous collection of over 1,400 works that were exhibited and competed for awards. The "Sculpture" category alone contained 305 works.

The exhibition was widely criticized for its huge scale and the fact that the 44 award winners were spread throughout the massive show, making them hard to find and enjoy. One article stated that

"it would have been more humane to have arranged [the show] into 50 weekly exhibitions."

I don't know whether this medal was a design for an award or to promote the exhibition or maybe even an entry in the exhibition.I would appreciate more information about the medal's mintage and general background.

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

edge6
mintageunknown
Last modified: Oct 26, 2017 15:54
Allied Artists of America Medal
1930
by Ulric Henry Ellerhusen, Georg John Lober
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Description

The obverse bears three figures representing poets, painters, and sculptors, ech holding tools of their trade; behind them rearing Pegasus. Around, ALLIED - ARTISTS - OF - AMERICA; around bottom, above exergue, signed and dated with U · ELLERHUSEN - 1930

The reverse bears naked, kneeling muse, facing left, holding painter's palette in right hand and small figurine in outstretched left. To left, MUTUM / EST / PICTURA / POEMA; signed and dated under palette, GEO LOBER / 1930

The Allied Artists of America was founded in New York City in the year 1914. The twelve original founders were Ernest Albert, Paul Cornoyer, Marshal Fry, Edmund Greacen, Arthur Powell, Walter C. Hartson, William R. Leigh, Frederick Mulhaupt, G. Glenn Newell, H. Ledyard Towle, H. A. Vincent and Jules Turcas.

This medal is a collaborative effort of two great medallic artists: Ulric Ellerhusen designed the obverse and Georg Lober the reverse. The motto on the reverse translates roughly to:

"A picture is a silent poem."

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

References:   MACo 1930-022

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

edge6
mintageunknown
Last modified: Oct 26, 2017 15:46
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