Medals relating to Architecture

The medal's obverse bears diverse precast concrete construction element. Around, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE DESIGN, MANUFACTURE AND USE OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE AND PRECAST CONCRETE / · FOUNDED 1954 ·

The reverse bears architectural view of a concrete bridge. Across, PRESTRESSED CONCRETE INSTITUTE - PCI / ARCHITECTURAL - STRUCTURAL

As the prestressed industry grew in the early 1950s, it became apparent that a central organization was essential to provide a unity of purpose in the industry. PCI was legally chartered as the Prestressed Concrete Institute on June 18, 1954, in Tampa, Florida. In December 1959, PCI moved its headquarters from Florida to Chicago, where it is based today.

This design is very different from Menconi's usual work. It is almost abstract in its simplicity, whereas his normal style is very traditional. I like this medal a lot.

The oval medal measures 88.6mm x 60.2mm and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.  No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1968-030

The medal's obverse bears view of One IBM Plaza in Chicago, Illinois.

The reverse bears legend, One / IBM Plaza / Dedication / September 20 / 1972 / Chicago / Illinois

This very bare medal is actually quite interesting in its minimalist design. The building is of course an ugly 1970's sky-scraper, but the artist chose to forgo the traditional perspective rendering and instead go for an architectural view of the building.

I appreciate this medal as a fairly unique piece of architectural memorabilia.

The circular medal measures 64mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. No mintage is reported.