Statue of Liberty

The medal's obverse shows two women, symbolising France and America, seated in an open boat, rowed by an angel wearing a phrygian bonnet (a symbol of the French Revolution). In the distance on the left is the Statue of Liberty. Around top, VNION · FRANCO · AMERICAINE / STATVE · COLOSS-ALE · DE · LA · LIBERTÉ · ECLAIRANT · LE · MONDE / 28 OCTOBRE / M.D.CCCLXXXVI; signed around lower left, O. Roty.

The reverse shows the shields of America and France resting on a laurel branch, with a profile portrait of Bartholdi, facing left, in a medallion between them.  Around, SOUVENIR · DE · L'INDEPENDANCE · AMERICAINE; across,  MONVMENT / ERIGÉ · PAR · LA · FRANCE / ET · L'AMERIQVE · EN · SOUVENIR / · DE · LEVR · ANCIENNE · AMITIÉ / 1776 - 1876; flanking cartouche at bottom, HAVTEVR · DE / LA · STATVE · 46'''8 - HAVTEVR · DV / PIÉDESTAL · 35'''

This medal commemorates the Franco-American Union, formed in 1875, which planned and ultimately brought about the creation of the Statue of Liberty. The statue was a gift of friendship from France to the U.S.A. in recognition of the friendship established between the two nations during the American Revolution.

The Union agreed that the monument would represent the work of both nations. The statue would be made by the French and transported to the U.S.A. and the Americans would build its pedestal. The sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi (1834-1904) started work immediately. The statue was dedicated on 28th October 1886.

The circular medal measures 68.8mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Paris Mint. No mintage is reported.

Parts of the description are from the Victoria and Albert Museum's record for this medal.

References:   Baxter 30, Marqusee 340

The medal's obverse bears American doughboys marching at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, palm frond and laurels around top. Signed around lower left, RENE ROBERT - OUTHWAITE Sc

The reverse bears Statue of Liberty flanked by eight flags on each side, American eagle holding olive branch and arrows at bottom. Around, THE SAVIOURS OF THE LIBERTY OF THE WORLD / · 1919 ·

The circular medal measures 45.1mm and was struck in bronze both by Arthus Bertrand and the Paris Mint.  The English version is also know as a so-called dollar with the identifier HK-903.

The medal's obverse bears a soldier facing half-left, saluting and standing at attention, his fieldkit and helmet at his feet to his right. Across, AMERICAN / EXPEDITIONARY / FORCES / FRANCE / 1919; signed at lower left, AITKEN / FECIT

The reverse bears upper half of stern-looking Statue of Liberty and stylized ocean waves.

The circular medal measures 50.1mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. No mintage is reported.

The paperweight bears view of Statue of Liberty with cloudy sky. In exergue, GENERAL / SILK IMPORTING / CO. INC. / NEW YORK

The General Silk Importing Company was founded in 1916 when the Klots Throwing Company, a large processor of raw silk, bough the silk importing house Villa Stearns. That company's executive, J. H. Britton, became vide president at Klots and Villa Stearns was renamed to General Silk Importing Company.  After further growth, declining profits and the Great Depression forced the company into bankrupcy in 1932.

The paperweight has two round feet at the upper end and measures 71.2mm x 127.4mm. It was struck in bronze by the Whitehead & Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey. No mintage is reported.

The medal's obverse bears bust of John F. Hylan in oval center field, flanked by Statue of Liberty and city hall. Under bust, JUHN F. HYLAN MAYOR; in exergue, 1924

The reverse bears New York City seal; around, (oak leaves) THE CITY OF NEW YORK (oak leaves) / DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

John Francis Hylan (1868-1936) was the 96th mayor of New York City. From small beginnings in the Catskills he quickly rose through the political ranks and was first elected Mayor in 1917.  As Mayor of the hosting city, he played an important role at the Democratic National Convention of 1924. He served two terms before losing to Jimmy  Walker in the 1924 elections.

The octagonal medal was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York City. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1924-027

Chambellan designed this medal in the early 1930's for the National Association of Manufacturers.

The obverse bears the Statue of Liberty in the center with light radiating from behind its head. From left to right depictions of the Capitol, orator in front of listening crowd, church, printing press, machinery, and skyscrapers. Above, LIBERTY; signed R. CHAMBELLAN SC.

The reverse bears bowl of fire labeled FREEDOM resting on tripod with legs inscribed REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY, CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, and FREE PRIVATE ENTERPRISE. Workers and a mother with children in front of smokestacks and buildings. Along rim on left, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS.

This medal expresses the belief in the benefits of a capitalist democracy, with economic freedom being one of the pillars on which freedom rests.

This bronze medal has a diameter of 76mm and weighs 171g. It was struck by the Medallic Art Company in New York.

References:   MACo 1940-064, Marqusee 108

The medal's obverse bears two kneeling female figures shaking hands across a watery chasm; left figure holds shield emblazoned with Stars and Stripes, right figure shield with Union Jack. In background, Statue of Liberty and Mayflower. Across chasm, 1620 - MAYFLOWER - 1957; signed at bottom, P. VINCZE

The medal's reverse bears Puritan family and stevedores loading trunks, ship with reefed sails in background. Around, "THUS OUT OF SMALL BEGINNINGS GREATER THINGS HAVE BEEN PRODUCED" / BRAD FORD; in exergue, 1620; signed at right top of exergue, P. VINCZE

The circular medal was struck in bronze, silver, and gold.

Many thanks to Bob Slwsky for allowing me to use the images from his eBay store.

The medal's obverse combines view of Statue of Liberty in foreground with American Express' office building and rising sun with bold ray pattern in background, ocean with tug in-between.  Around left side, AMERICAN EXPRESS PLAZA; at bottom, 1975; signed near pedestal of Statue of Liberty, JDL

The reverse bears three older headquarters buildings, each labeled with a date, 1858, 1874 and 1917. Around top, AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY / 1850 - 1975; signed above exergue at left, JDL SC

The circular medal measures 76.2mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut. No mintage is reported.

References:   ANS 55

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