All Medals

References:   ANS 16, Baxter 128, Marqusee 77

The medal's obverse bears imaginary scene aboard American ship with two men witnessing the British bomardment of Fort McHenry with large American flag rising above clouds of powder smoke. Around top, "'TIS THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER"

The medal's reverse bears medallic portrait of Francis Scott Key with draped American flag and laurel branches.  Around, · NATIONAL STAR-SPANGLED BANNER CENTENNIAL · / BALTIMORE, MD. U.S.A. SEPT. 6-13.1914

"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort M'Henry", a poem written on September 14, 1814, by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbor during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Key was inspired by the large American flag, the Star-Spangled Banner, flying triumphantly above the fort during the American victory.

The circular medal measures 50.9mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Whitehead-Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey. No mintage is reported.

The obverse bears John the Baptist in the act of baptizing a kneeling man. Around, BLESSED ARE THE MEEK FOR THEY WILL INHERIT THE EARTH.

The reverse bears a nude Salome holding John's head in front of a horse.

This medal was chosen as the 37th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1948.The medal measures 73mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The reported production quantity of this medal is 730 pieces in bronze.

References:   MACo 1930-001-037, SoM 37

The medal's obverse bears view of L. Bamberger & Co.'s Newark flagship store.

The reverse bears legend within wreath, L. BAMBERGER Co. / NEWARK, N.J. / 1893 - 1912

Louis Bamberger (1855-1944) was born in Baltimore and came to Newark in 1892.  He purchased the bankrupt dry goods emporium Hill & Craig at auction. and renamed it L. Bamberger & Company. Under Bamberger’s leadership,  the store became very successful.  In 1912 he opened the first section of his completely redone store to the public. This is the event commemorated by this medal.  He eventually sold his empire to Macy's, which kept the Bamberger brand alive till 1986.  The Newark store was finally closed in 1991.

The circular medal measures 74.6mm in diameter and was probably struck by Whitehead & Hoag of Newark, New Jersey, but I can't be sure because the medal bears neither an artist's signature nor maker's marks.  Any additional information would be welcome.

The galvano bears a horse facing left. to its left, 2/6; at top and bottom, Leath / Choroin

In 1926, Paul Manship was given the opportunity to participate in an international competition to design the coinage of the Irish Free State. Dublin-born poet William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) had proposed a general motif of animals and items associated with Irish life, including a horse, hen, ram, salmon, hare, wolfhound, wood duck, harp, and bull’s head.

Manship lost the competition to English sculptor Percy Metcalf, but graciously acknowledged that, had he been on the jury, he would have made the same decision.

The circular galvano measures 114.4mm in diameter.

References:   Murtha 210

References:   MACo 1971-013-010, WR 10

The medal's obverse bears walking immigrant family, faces turned upwards in silent awe. Across, the famous lines from Emma Lazarus: GIVE ME / YOUR TIRED, YOUR / HUDDLED - MASSES / YEARN-ING TO / BREAT-HE FREE. / THE WR-ETCHED / REFUSE - OF YOUR / TEEMING - SHORE. SE/ND THEESE, - THE HOME/LESS, TEM-PEST-TOST / TO ME. - I LIFT / MY LAMP - BESIDE / THE GO-LDEN / DOOR. Signed at bottom right, (JOV monogram)

The medal's reverse bears Statue of Liberty's head in center; at its right, 19 / 86; signed over left shoulder with (JOV monogram); twelve segments with months around.

In reference to the Statue of Liberty's nickname, this medal is also known as the "Mother of Exiles" medal.

The calendar panel was engraved by John Oliva.  Jovine designed and sculpted both sides but left the area of the calendar panel empty in what is called a "reserve." Oliva then added the calendar panel with all the month name and number lettering.

This circular circular medal measures 76mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and possibly silver by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut.

Many thanks to CJ Swinko for the excellent photos.

References:   MACo 1985-039, Cal MA-1986

The medallion bears portrait of Thornton Floyd Turner, facing left. Around upper left, + THORNTON FLOYD TURNER +; signed at lower right, HUFF

The reverse bears the Turner family's crest.

Thornton Floyd Turner (1865-1919) was a clergyman and New York City architect. He practiced architecture from 1890 to 1900 and was a member of the New York Society of Beaux Arts Architects as well as the St. Nicholas Society of New York. After 1912, he was Rector at St. Peter's Church in Bennington, Vermont.

It is unclear to whom the "Huff" signature refers.

The circular medallion measures 99mm in diameter.  No mintage is reported.

This medal's obverse bears group of three figures, standing, toga-wearing female with spear held in one hand and shield raised protectively over seated mother with naked toddler. Around, THE · EQUITABLE · LIFE · ASSURANCE · SOCIETY · OF · THE · UNITED · STATES

The reverse bears text in center, 100th / Anniversary; around, ★ 1859 ★ 1959 ★ / A CENTURY OF SECURITY

The edge is marked MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y.; two holes indicate that the medals was once mounted in a desktop holder.

The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States was founded by Henry Baldwin Hyde in 1859. Its first headquarters were in the Equitable Life Building, near Wall Street, which opened its doors in 1875. In 1905, James Hazen Hyde, the founder's son and successor as President of the company, found himself at the center of the so called Hyde Costume Ball Scandal, a smear campaign manufactured by other Board members and designed to wrest control of the company from him. The scandal resulted in a Wall Street panic and an investigation of the entire insurance industry. Today, the company is known as AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company.

The medal represents a collaboration by two artists: its artistic obverse was designed and modeled by Sinnock while the text-oriented reverse was done by Roberts.

The circular medal measures 69.9mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

References:   MACo 1958-043-001