Costanzo Luini

The medal's obverse bears portrait of Vail, facing. Around, on raised rim, THEODORE NEWTON VAIL / HE MADE NEIGHBORS OF HVNDRED MILLION PEOPLE; signed, barely visibly, over right shoulder, LUINI

The reverse bears old-fashioned phone receivers connected by wires on raised rim. In center field, PRESENTED · BY · THE / AMERICAN · TELEPHONE · AND / TELEGRAPH · CO · TO · THE · TELEPHONE / PIONEERS · OF · AMERICA · AS · A / MEMORIAL · TO · HIM · WHOSE · LIFE / CHARACTER · AND · INDUSTRY · WERE / AN · INSPIRATION · TO · THE / MEMBERS · OF · THAT · SOCIETY / MONTREAL (oak leaves) CANADA / SEPTEMBER · 10 · 1920

This is the first version of the Theodore Newton Vail medal. It was delineated by Harry Bates Thayer, company president, honoring famed American telephone pioneer and company founder Theodore Newton Vail.  The medal was only issued for the four years between 1917 and 1920.  Adolph A. Weinman designed and modeled the later version of the medal that was used from 1922 onwards.

The circular medal measures 76.6mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by Tiffany & Co. of New York. No mintage is reported. The medal probably exists in at least silver, probably even a few pieces in gold, but I have not seen any evidence of those variants.

The medal's obverse bears Jeanne d'Arc on horseback, holding a flag in one hand.  To left of horse, JEANNE / D'ARC; around, LE LYCEUM SOCIETY DES FEMMES DE FRANCE A NEW YORK

The medal's reverse bears double cross before sun over wreath and three shields bearing the French Republic's RF, sword and crown, and American Stars and Stripes. Around top, DOMREMY ORLEANS ROUEN; under double cross, VIVE LABEUR / (inscribed to MARAIN ABRAMS / - 1932 -); around bottom, MADAME CARLO POLIFEME - NEE WANECQ - PRESIDENTE - FONDATRICE - INC 1909

This medal was also called the "Jeanne d'Arc Medal" or the "Lyceum Prize" and was awarded to "that senior, resident of L'Isle de France, who showed the most helpful, loyal, devoted spirit."

The circular medal measures 67mm in diameter and was struck in gold-plated bronze.