All Medals

The medal's obverse bears map of the two Americas flanked by allegorical female figures representing continents, extending arms towards middle, one bearing a caduceus representnig science, other olive branch representing friendship. Around, FRIENDSHIP · SOLIDARITY · AND · PROGRESS · THROUGH · SCIENTIFIC · ACHIEVEMENT

The medal's reverse bears oil lamp at top and olive branch running around left edge. Across, SECOND / PAN-AMERICAN / SCIENTIFIC CONGRESS / DEC. 27. 1915 - JAN. 8. 1916 / WASHINGTON / U · S · A

Many thanks to the creator of sallyjamesfarnham.org for the images of this medal.

This was the first Norway medal to be created for the series. The design was probably inspired by the rapid expansion of speculative North Sea oil drilling at the time prompted by the 1973 oil crisis.

The obverse presents a view out to sea with an advancing line of oil drilling platforms in the background. Ung subtly suggests a sea covered by oil slick that has washed up a dead gull on the shore in the foreground. 

The emotive conservationist theme of the obverse is matched by the mother and child design on the reverse. Ung intended this to represent Mother Norway embracing the child of future prospects. The design is thus something of a landmark in nation gendering as Norway at that time did not have the tradition of female allegorical symbols of countries such as Russia (Mother Russia), England (Brittania), and France (Marianne). Ung's design adds the future child, layering in traditional religious icon elements to the design, implying that the present country needs to take care of and protect the future environment. He's followed the tradition of having the mother's gaze fixed on the child who is in turn looking out at the viewer.

References:   NorA NO-1975

References:   MACo 1963-001-039, GANYU 39

The medal's obvese bears a desert scene from a trading caravan with camel at left and group of two Bedouins haggling over a length of cloth; camels in background on sand dune. Signed at bottom right, KILENYI

The obverse bears city with factories in background. In lower half, NATIONAL RETAIL DRY GOODS ASSOCIATION / REPLICA OF MEDALS / AWARDED TO / CARLOS B. CLARK AND LEW HAHN / FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE / TO THE CRAFT / PRESENTED FEBRUARY 7. 1929

Clark and Hahn each received a gold medal that was named to them. Another 18 gold medals were issued over the next 30 years. One gold-plated medal named to Seidel is kjnown to exist. 

Many thanks to Harry Waterson for the detailed information on variants and mintages.

The medal's obverse bears male and female nudes symbolizing the union of the Western hemisphere by the Panama Canal; in background, sun and clouds above horizon with American isthmus. At bottom, DIVINE DISIVNCTA IVNXIT HOMO

The medal's reverse shows the Panama Pacific International Exposition's Tower of Jewels. On panel below building, MEDAL / OF AWARD; around, PANAMA PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION SAN FRANCISCO - MCMXV

The medal measures 70.3mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the United States Mint. Plain bronze, silver-plated, and gold-plated versions are known to exist.

References:   Baxter 114, MACo 1915-020, Marqusee 150,151,152

References:   Cal FM-1984

The medal's obverse bears Jeanne d'Arc holding banner atop high-stepping horse, facing right; angel flying at top. Around left and right, terminated by fleur-de-lis, JEANNE · / D' - ARC ·; signed and dated above exergue, PAUL MANSHIP - 1915

The reverse bears praying Jeanne d'Arc burning at the stake, hand reaching from cloud to place laurel crown on her head. Around, · · LA · VIERGE · HER-OIQUE · ET · MARTYRE · MCCCCXXXI · ·

The French inscription around the reverse's edge translates to "The heroic virgin and martyr." 

Manship made the medal to beneift the Italian War Relief Committee.  Three years earlier, in 1912, many Western countries had celebrated the 500th anniversary of Joan of Arc's birth and a lot of medals and statues had been commissioned.  Anna Hyatt Huntington had won the competition to create a heroic statue that was finally unveiled to great public acclaim in 1915. 

The Italian War Relief Fund was organized in 1915 for relieving the distress of noncombatant Italians. As always, Manship was willing to donate art to raise funds for such war-related relief efforts. This medal tied neatly into the public's fascination with the historical figure and doubled up as a not so subtle reminder that a huge conflagration had engulfed France and other parts of Europe.

The circular medal measures 74mm and was cast in bronze. It is not known how many pieces were cast. A six inch model is known to exist as well.

References:   Marqusee 255, Murtha 70

The uniface emblem bears laurel-crowned, helmeted head in center field. Around, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

This little emblem is probably a trial cast that goes with Manship's designs for World War I decorations. It is a small, convex, shield that was probably designed to go in the center of a cross that would have been suspended from the devices pinned to the uniform or worn on a ribbon. The Smithsonian collection has a piece that shows a very similar device affixed to a cross.

The circular emblem measures 36.6mm in diameter.

References:   BG 33