Society of Medalists

References:   MACo 1930-001-031, Marqusee 109, SoM 31

The medal's obverse bears an American soldier giving water to a wounded comrade. In exergue, (circled BN) / ©. The reverse bears a mushroom cloud of a nuclear explosion over avast plane of corpses. To left and right, WORLD UNITY - OR OBLIVION.

In his "Message from the Artist" Nebel wrote:

"Modern warfare has developed to such a degree that civilization may vanish from the earth unless there is to be an understanding among nations, and this medal was designed to help impress that thought which, I believe, is uppermost in our minds."

It is fascinating to see this medal in the context of its predecessor (For Conquer We Must). The prior medal is soul-stirring and up-lifting in its depiction of courageous soldiers at one of the iconic moments of war. Only half a year later, the war has been won, and soldiers are depicted wounded or dead. The price of victory and the question of "What now?" has arrived very prominently.

This medal was chosen as the 32nd issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. It measures 73mm in diameter. The Medallic Art Company of New York reportedly struck 839 medals in bronze and 60 (out of 700 authorized) in silver.

References:   MACo 1930-001-032, Marqusee 294, SoM 32

The obverse shows Peace in flowing tunic hovering on clouds before world globe. Around, WORLD PEACE

The reverse bears dove and olive spray on book, rays behind. Around, PEACE ON EARTH, AMONG MEN OF GOOD WILL; signed below, JK / ©

World War II had finally come to a conlusion and the world was exhausted... and relieved. Kiselewski tried to capture the optimistic attitude that seemed to point towards a future that could only be better than what lay behind. In his "From the Artist" he wrote:

"The war was over; the misery and horror had gone. I have tried to portray a simple and cheerful 'World Peace' which would rest the mind from the dismal past and look only to the bright future."

This medal was chosen as the 33rd issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1946. It measures 73mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. Its reported mintage is 802 pieces in bronze and 60 in silver.

References:   MACo 1930-001-033, SoM 33

The obverse bears farmer with shovel, produce on shoulder, and semi-draped wife. Recessed outer border with legend, HAPPY ARE THOSE WHOM PRIVACY MAKES INNOCENT; in exergue, SW / ©

The reverese shows farrier bent over as he shoes a draft horse. Above and below, TO BE NAMELESS / IN WORTHY DEEDS / EXCEEDS AN IN- / FAMOUS HISTORY

This medal was chosen as the 34th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. It measures 73mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company. Its reported mintage is 1,182 pieces in bronze and 60 in silver.

References:   MACo 1930-001-034, Marqusee 389, SoM 34

The medal's obverse bears idyllic scene with doe and fawn in front of tree. Around, ETERN-AL · VIGILANCE; signed at doe's feet, BRUCE / MOORE / 1947 / ©

The reverse bears vutlure perched on rock with dead or dying branches in background. Around, DESTRUCTION

This medal was chosen as the 35th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. It measures 73mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The mintage is reported as xx pieces in bronze and yy (out of an authorized 700) in silver.

References:   MACo 1930-001-035, SoM 35

The obverse bears a large female figure gazing intently left; four small female figures holding lamp and lekythoi. Lower left quadrant, THE WISE / VIRGINS.

The reverse bears five female figures standing and sitting on stair with empty lamps; two sleek cats. Below, eight lines of text including six lines of verse: THE FOOLISH VIRGINS. / "NO LIGHT HAD WE, FOR THAT WE DO REPENT, / AND LEARNING THIS THE BRIDEGROOM WILL RELENT. / TOO LATE, TOO LATE, YE CANNOT ENTER NOW." / "NO LIGHT, SO LATE, AND DARK AND CHILL THE NIGHT. / O LET US IN, THAT WE MAY FIND THE LIGHT. / TOO LATE, TOO LATE, YE CANNOT ENTER NOW." / TENNYSON; below text, © HENRY KREIS.

The lines of poetry are an excerpt from Alfred Lord Tennyson's "Idylls of the King," which is based, as this medal is, on the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.

This medal was chosen as the 36th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. It measures 73mm and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The mintage was 599 pieces in bronze and 50 in silver.

References:   MACo 1930-001-036, SoM 36

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

References:   MACo 1930-001-038, SoM 38

References:   SoM 39

References:   MACo 1930-001-040, SoM 40