References: MACo 1928-026
Medals Related to New York City
MedalsVisual
Brooklyn Bridge Plaza Association Medal
1928
Description
Medal Details
This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.
| material | Bronze |
|---|---|
| edge6 | MEDALLIC ART CO. N. Y. |
| diameter | 51.5mm |
| weight | 61.7g |
| mintage | unknown |
Societe des Femmes de France in New York Medal
1929
Description
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.
Medal Details
This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.
| material | Gold-plated bronze |
|---|---|
| edge6 | |
| diameter | 67mm |
| mintage | unknown |
B. D. L. Southerland Medal
1929
Description
The medal's obverse bears portrait of B. D. L. Southerland, half left. Around top, B. D. L. SOUTHERLAND
The reverse shows view of B. D. L. Southerland's birthplace with trees. In exergue, COMMEMORATING THE / ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY / OF THE BIRTH OF / B. D. L. SOUTHERLAND; in streamer, 1829 - APRIL 10 - 1929
B. D. L. Southerland was a school principal in the Ninth Ward of New York City.
The medal's obverse was designed by Charles Keck, the reverse by Jonathan M. Swanson. Both sides were sculpted by Franz Eue.
The circular medal measures 63.7mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.
References: MACo 1929-022
Medal Details
This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.
| material | Bronze |
|---|---|
| edge6 | MEDALLIC ART CO. N Y. |
| diameter | 63.7mm |
| weight | 114g |
| mintage | unknown |
Boys' Club of New York Curtis Wheeler Medal
1929
Description
The medal's obverse bears bust of young Curtis Wheeler, facing left. Around top, ★ CURTIS ★ WHEELER ★; around bottom, ★ 1889 - 1927 ★
The medal's reverse bears winged female figure crowning boy with wreath of laurels. Accross, CURTIS ★ WHEELER ★ AWARD ★ ; around bottom, BOYS' ★ CLUB ★ OF ★ NEW ★ YORK ★; signed at right, Maxwell B Starr
Curtis Wheeler was an associate editor for the New York Herald Tribune and served in the National Guard. During maneuvers on July 6, 1927, his plane's wings collapsed and he and his pilot fell 1,000 feet to their deaths.
The circular medal measures 63.8mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.
References: MACo 1929-052
Medal Details
This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.
| material | Bronze |
|---|---|
| edge6 | |
| diameter | 63.8mm |
| weight | 125.8g |
| mintage | unknown |
Allied Artists of America Medal
1930
Description
The obverse bears three figures representing poets, painters, and sculptors, ech holding tools of their trade; behind them rearing Pegasus. Around, ALLIED - ARTISTS - OF - AMERICA; around bottom, above exergue, signed and dated with U · ELLERHUSEN - 1930
The reverse bears naked, kneeling muse, facing left, holding painter's palette in right hand and small figurine in outstretched left. To left, MUTUM / EST / PICTURA / POEMA; signed and dated under palette, GEO LOBER / 1930
The Allied Artists of America was founded in New York City in the year 1914. The twelve original founders were Ernest Albert, Paul Cornoyer, Marshal Fry, Edmund Greacen, Arthur Powell, Walter C. Hartson, William R. Leigh, Frederick Mulhaupt, G. Glenn Newell, H. Ledyard Towle, H. A. Vincent and Jules Turcas.
This medal is a collaborative effort of two great medallic artists: Ulric Ellerhusen designed the obverse and Georg Lober the reverse. The motto on the reverse translates roughly to:
"A picture is a silent poem."
The circular medal was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.
References: MACo 1930-022
Medal Details
This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.
| edge6 | |
|---|---|
| mintage | unknown |
Bayonne Bridge Dedication Medal
1931
Bronze
Description
The obverse bears standing figures of European settler, at left, and Native American, at right, against background of topographical map of New York and New Jersey. Above, DIVIDED BY NATURE UNITED FOR MUTUAL WELFARE; below: THE PORT OF / NEW YORK; signed at lower left, KILENYI.
The reverse shows Bayonne Bridge with seals of New York and New Jersey below with scrolls labelled: "NEW YORK" and "NEW JERSEY". Above, BUILT AND OWNED BY THE PORT OF NEW YORK AUTHORITY; inscription BAYONNE / BRIDGE / DEDICATED 1931. The small diameter variants have a tiny W&H CO. under the New Jerswey ribbon.
In 1931, the Port Authority opened two major bridges, the George Washington Bridge on October 24th and the Bayonne Bridge on November 14th. The George Washington Bridge Dedication was a big affair commemorated with a gold medals, a silver medal, bronze medals in 2 sizes, and a hanging badge.
The dedication of the George Washington Beidge was a major political event. The Governor of New York, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a man with serious Presidential aspirations, was one of the major participants in the ceremonies.
Three weeks later, the major state election now past, the Port Authority ordered only enough medals to service the needs of the Bayonne Bridge Dedication on the day. That was still a sizable number as there were around 4,000 invited guests.
Furthermore, there was the small issue of a short notice name change. On Oct. 31st, the Port Authority changed the name of the bridge from the Kill van Kull Bridge to the Bayonne Bridge. This added a time constraint that would also have mitigated against a larger number of medals than absolutely necessary being produced before the opening two weeks later.
All variants were produced by the Whitehead & Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey. No mintages are reported for any of the variants but due to the number of invited guests the number of the small diameter variants should be in the thousands.
Variant Details
This section contains a table of detailed variant information. Currently, I am only aware of 3 variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any others or if you find incorrect or missing information.
| material | Bronze |
|---|---|
| edge6 | WHITEHEAD-HOAG in thin rectangular frame |
| diameter | 76.3mm |
| mintage | unknown |
| material | Bronze |
|---|---|
| edge6 | |
| diameter | 32.2mm |
| mintage | unknown |
| material | Bronze with staffa fob |
|---|---|
| edge6 | |
| diameter | 31.5mm |
| mintage | unknown |
George Washington Bridge Dedication Medal
1931
Bronze
Description
The medal's obverse displays muses clasping hands over relief map of river and harbor. Around, A MEMORIAL TO FRIENDLY COOPERATION BETWEEN STATES; in exergue, NEW JERSEY - NEW YORK; signed at left top of exergue, KILENYI
The reverse bears perspective of Hudson River suspension bridge. Around left and top, GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE; below, BUILT AND OWNED BY / THE PORT OF NEW YORK AUTHORITY.
In 1931, the Port Authority opened two major bridges, the George Washington Bridge on October 24th and the Bayonne Bridge on November 14th. The George Washington Bridge Dedication was a big affair, commemorated with 2 gold medals, silver medals, bronze medals in 2 sizes, as well as a hanging badge.
The dedication was a major political event. The Governor of New York, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a man with serious Presidential aspirations, was one of the major participants in the ceremonies.
All variants were produced by the Whitehead & Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey. Except for the gold medal, of which two pieces were struck to be given to the governors of New York and New Jersey, no mintages are reported. A 12in galvano of the obverse is known to exist.
References: Marqusee 219,220
Variant Details
This section contains a table of detailed variant information. Currently, I am only aware of 6 variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any others or if you find incorrect or missing information.
| material | Bronze |
|---|---|
| edge6 | WHITEHEAD-HOAG |
| diameter | 76.3mm |
| mintage | unknown |
| material | Sterling silver |
|---|---|
| edge6 | WHITEHEAD-HOAG - STERLING |
| diameter | 75.5mm |
| mintage | unknown |
| material | 14k Gold |
|---|---|
| edge6 | WHITEHEAD-HOAG - 14KT |
| diameter | 76.2mm |
| mintage | 2 reported |
| material | Bronze |
|---|---|
| edge6 | |
| diameter | 76.3mm |
| mintage | 1 known reported |
| material | Bronze |
|---|---|
| edge6 | W & H CO. |
| diameter | 32.1mm |
| mintage | unknown |
| material | Bronze with loop |
|---|---|
| edge6 | W & H CO. |
| diameter | 32mm |
| mintage | unknown |
Fahnestock & Company 50th Anniversary Medal
1931
Description
The medal's obverse bears portrait of William Fahnestock. Around top, · FAHNESTOCK · & · CO · ; To left, WILLIAM / FAHNESTOCK / FOUNDER; to right, 1881 / 1931; signed above right shoulder, (JSR monogram)
The medal's reverse bears a beautifully detailed street scene of New York's Wall Street. To left, WALL / STREET; to right, 1881; signed at bottom, (JSR monogram)
William Fahnestock (1858-1936) beccame the youngest member of the New York Stock exchange at age 23. A year later, he opened the doors to Fahnestock & Co with his father, Harris C. Fahnestock, at 2 Wall Street. After a series of consolidations and mergers, the firm is now part of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc.
The circular medal measures 76mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.
References: MACo 1931-001, Marqusee 355
Medal Details
This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.
| material | Bronze |
|---|---|
| edge6 | MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y. |
| diameter | 76mm |
| weight | 165g |
| mintage | unknown |
Townsend Harris Medal
1933
Description
The medal's obverse bears deep relief portrait of Townsend Harris, facing slight right. Around top, TOWNSEND HARRIS MEDAL; signed and dated at lower left, d'A / 1933
The reverse bears legend only. Around, THE ASSOCIATE ALUMNI OF THE COLLEGE OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK; across, FOR / NOTABLE / ACHIEVEMENT / LOUIS KAUFMAN ANSPACHER / '97
Townsend Harris (1804 –1878) was a successful New York City merchant and minor politician, and the first United States Consul General to Japan. He negotiated the "Harris Treaty" between the US and Japan and is credited as the diplomat who first opened the Empire of Japan to foreign trade and culture in the Edo period.
The circular medal measures 75.3mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.
References: MACo 1933-008
Medal Details
This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.
| material | Bronze |
|---|---|
| edge6 | MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y. BRONZE |
| diameter | 75.3mm |
| weight | 215.1g |
| mintage | unknown |
Rockefeller Center Medal
1935
by Lee Lawrie
Description
The obverse bears medallic version of Lawrie's bas-relief panel on face of Rockefeller center. God with crown and long wavy beard frowning from sky. Below, WISDOM AND / KNOWLEDGE SHALL BE / THE STABILITY / OF THY TIMES.
The reverse bears classic art deco view of building with sun behind and clouds on sides. Around, ROCKEFELLER CENTER.
In my opinion, this medal is probably among the top ten most beautiful American art-deco medals. Its obverse clearly picks up the motif of the 22' x 14' bas-relief panel over the entrance to 30 Rockefeller Plaza. That relief was designed and modeled by Lee Lawrie who also modeled this medal.
The circular medal measures 69.9mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the International Silver Company on behalf of Rockefeller Center, Inc. The mintage was 500.
Medal Details
This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.
| material | Bronze |
|---|---|
| edge6 | |
| diameter | 69.9mm |
| weight | 156.4g |
| mintage | 500 reported |