Medals about the U.S. Bicentennial

The obverse bears General George Washington kneeling in prayer, horse behind; above, thirteen stars in circle. Around, TWO HUNDRED YEARS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; in exergue, 1776 - 1976; signed above exergue at right, J. KISELEWSKI

The reverse bears scene from Brookgreen Gardens, live oaks and sculpture with pathways. At bottom, BROOKGREEN / GARDENS

This was the fourth of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in the United States' bicentennial year, 1976.

The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company. No mintage is reported.

References:   BG 4

This medal's obverse bears upper body of colonial soldier wearing tricorne and holding musket. At left, 1776 / (ANS seal); at right, 1976; signed at bottom, Americo

The reverse bears Liberty pole with ribbons attached; at lower right, the seal of Ne York State. On ribbons, Liberty / New York State American Revolution / Bicentennial / 1776 1976

This medal was the 51st official medal issued by the American Numismatic Society in 1976.  It was struck in six different variants.  Five variants were struck by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut, the silver proof variant as struck by the Franklin Mint.  Beyond sponsoring the design competition in 1972, the American Numismatic Society really had limited input into and no control of the production of this medal. No mintages are reported for any of the variants.  At least the bronze pieces are very common and the the silver pieces don't seem to be too uncommon. The only rare variant is probably the gold 25mm piece which I have only seen at auction once in five years.

References:   ANS 51

The medal's obverse bears the original Federal Hall over the seal of the City of New York. Around top, NEW YORK CITY; around bottom, FIRST CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; under Fderal Hall, WASHINGTON'S INAUGURATION / FEDERAL HALL - 1789

The reverse bears five revolutionary soldiers with cannon and flag; ANS seal below; around, thirteen stars representing the original states. Around, BICENTENNIAL / 1776 / 1976 / AMERICAN REVOLUTION; signed below cannon, JOHN RUSSELL / RIDGE

This medal was the 52nd official issue of the American Numismatic Society in 1976.

As with the New York State Bicentennial Medal, the American Numismatic Society's influence ended with the design competition in 1972.  The medal was produced in six variant, five of which were struck by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut, and the silver proof medal struck by the Franklin Mint.  No mintages are reported for any of the variants.

References:   ANS 52

This uniface medal bears portraits of George Washington and Gerald Ford; Liberty bell above, fasces below. Around, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / BI-CENTENNIAL; across, G. WASHINGTON - GERALD FORD / 1776 - 1976; signed under truncation of Washington bust, A. KOLB

The circular medal measures 50mm and was struck in bronze, probably by the Metalarts Company of Rochester, New York. No mintage is reported.

The medal's obverse bears Americans from colonial to modern times walking, riding, and driving around the circumference, with some airplanes mixed in for good measure. In raised circular center, the American Bicentennial logo surrounded by AMERICAN REVOLUTION BICENTENNIAL / 1776 - 1976; signed with artist's (JOV monogram) at top right; at lower right, MACO / © 1975

The reverse bears square calendar panel in center, flanked by the PHiladelphia Christ Church steeple on the left and a launching Saturn V rocket on the right; Eagle holding streamer with THE / BICENTENNIAL / YEAR in its beak on top, Paul Revere on horseback at the bottom; at left bottom of calendar panel, 1976.

The American Bicentennial was a huge marketing extravaganza that caused a multitude of medals to be issued.   Marcel Jovine created a thematically appropripate design in his inimitable circular style. 

This is one of the few Calendar medals that were issued in different sizes.  A limited edition 3.75" medallion was offered to collectors in addtion to the normal 3" medal.  I am not aware of any medals in silver though I would not be terribly surprised to find out that a few had been struck.  The 1970s were a time of sky-high silver prices and 3" silver medals would have represented a significant investment.

References:   MACo 1975-134, Cal MA-1976

References:   Cal FM-1976