This page is intended to provide you with quick links to pages that organize medals by certain criteria, for example by the people that are shown on them or the organizations that issued them. Bold entries lead to sub-indices that help organize the index into a more useful hierarchy; Italicized entries represent aliases for other index entries.
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The medal's obverse bears seal of the University of Pittsburgh. Around, SIGILLUM CANCELLARII UNIVERSITATIS PITTSBURGHENSIS
The reverse bears incuse legend, WORN FIRST / BY / EDWARD HAROLD LITCHFIELD / AT HIS / INAUGURATION AS / TWELFTH CHANCELLOR / OF THE / UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH / MAY 11. 1957
The medallion measures 76mm in diameter and was strucki n gold-plated bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.
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 | MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y. / BRONZE |
| diameter | 76mm |
| weight | 178.2g |
| mintage | unknown |
The medal's obverse bears winged female figure holding crown of laurels, standing behind seated metalworker with objects of his profession scattered around him. Shield with Heeren Brothers "H" logo leaning against stand with kylix at right. In exergue, 1867 - 1917
The reverse bears first company building at left and present building at right. Around top and across, IN COMMEMORATION OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY / of / HEEREN BROS / AND COMPANY / 1867 / 1917 / MANUFACTURING /JEWELERS & IMPORTERS / PITTSBURGH, PA.
The circular medal measures 78mm in diameter. No mintage is reported.
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 | |
|---|---|
| diameter | 78mm |
| weight | 231.4g |
| mintage | unknown |
The medal's obverse shows University of Pittsburgh's "Cathedral of Learning." Around, to left and right, UNIVERSITY OF - PITTSBURGH; to left and right, 1787 - 1937
The reverse bears an inscription that reads THEY SHALL / FIND WISDOM HERE / AND FAITH - IN STEEL / AND STONE - IN CHARAC / TER AND THOUGHT - THEY / SHALL FIND BEAUTY - AD / VENTURE - AND MO / MENTS OF HIGH / VICTORY
In 1937 the University of Pittsbrgh celebrated both its 150th anniversary and the long-awaited completion of its 42-story "Cathedral of Learning." The impressive tower had been under construction for ten years and is still the tallest educational building in the Western Hemisphere (only the University of Moscow's main building is taller).
The building's construction evoked public support rarely seen for college construction projects. Local industries donated steel, cement, elevators, glass, plumbing and heating elements. In 1924, 17,000 men and women and 97,000 school children made individual cash contributions to help fund the project. Today, many adults still have the certificates they received as school children upon contributing 10 cents, which they had earned themselves, to "buy a brick" in the Cathedral of Learning.
The inscription on the reverse is a quote of Dr. Bowman, at the time the University's Chancellor:
"THEY SHALL FIND WISDOM HERE AND FAITH - IN STEEL AND STONE - IN CHARACTER AND THOUGHT - THEY SHALL FIND BEAUTY - ADVENTURE - AND MOMENTS OF HIGH VICTORY"
The medal bears neither a maker's mark nor a signature. Please contact me if you know the sculptor or have additional information on this medal.
The medal measures 76mm (3in) in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.
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 | 76mm |
| mintage | unknown |
The medal's obverse bears logo of interlocking letters UTCO. Underneath, on center field, MEMBER FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION; around, FIFTY YEARS OF SERVICE / · · · 1889 - 1939 · · ·
The reverse bears view of company's building in Pittsburgh with clouds behind. Around, THE UNION TRUST COMPANY / OF PITTSBURGH
The Union Trust Company of Pittsburgh was founded in 1889 by Andrew Mellon, the later Secretary of the Treasury. Initially named the Union Transfer and Trust Company, its purpose was "to faciliate the transfer and safekeeping of securities."
Their iconic Pittsburgh building was actually built by Henry Clay Frick to serve as a shopping arcade, but the quick growth and immense wealth of the Union Trust Company and its backers allowed them to purchase and repurpose the gorgeous building as a bank.
There are all kinds of urban legends associated with the building. One claims that there is a covenant on the building that requires it to maintain a chapel in perptuity because it is erected on the grounds of a church. This is apparently not true.
I love the art deco lettering of the logo. The interlocking letters are so simple and yet so beautiful.
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 1938-004
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 | 76mm |
| weight | 192g |
| mintage | unknown |
The medal's obverse bears busts of Martin L. Beistle, Henry E. Luhrs and J.S. Omwake. Around top, M.L. BEISTLE FOUNRER. H.E.LUHRS BUILDER. J.S. OMWAKE INCORPORATOR.; in exergue, THE BEISTLE COMPANY / FIFTIETH - ANNIVERSARY / 1900-1950
The medal's reverse bears selection of company's products, including toys and combed tissue decorations. In center field, TO FRIENDS OF / THE BEISTLE COMPANY / IN APPRECIATION OF YOUR / LOYALTY AND SUPPORT / WHICH MADE POSSIBLE OUR / FIFTY YEARS / OF SERVICE AND GROWTH / 1900 - 1950
The Beistle Company was founded in 1900 by Martin Luther Beistle. Working in the basement of his home near Pittsburgh, he produced small imprints and calendars. The company still exists today.
The circular medal was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.
References: MACo 1948-002
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 | |
| mintage | unknown |
The medal's obverse bears rising sun behind long distance view of old Pittsburgh with three rivers and wooded hills in foreground. Around top, (sixteen stars) / SCAIFE COMPANY / FOUNDED 1802 PITTSBURGH
The reverse bears view of modern Pittsburgh with bridges and skyscrapers in upper half. in lower half, towering machine with worker at left and welder at right. Around, PITTSBURGH'S OLDEST MANUFACTURING FIRM / 1802 (S logo in circle) 1952; in exergue, ONE HUNDRED / AND FIFTY YEARS / OF DISTINGUISHED / SERVICE (acorn) (acorn) TO / COMMERCE AND / INDUSTRY (acorn) (acorn) (acorn); signed and dated at right over exergue, AMORE 52
The circular medal measures 75.9mm in dameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.
References: MACo 1952-053
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 | 75.9mm |
| weight | 185.1g |
| mintage | unknown |
The uniface medal bears image of PPG Place in Pittsburgh with cathedral-like structures in background. On right, PPG / PLACE; in exergue, BLOUNT
The edge is marked ©1984 MEDALLIC ART CO. - DANBURY, CT. - BRONZE
Based on the date it is likely that the medal celebrates the completion of the PPG Place development. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on January 28, 1981, and the complex was dedicated on April 11, 1984. The office space opened in August 1983, just two and a half years after the construction began. The gleaming glass and steel structures, known worldwide for their breathtaking design, were developed by John Burgee Architects with the internationally renowned architect Philip Johnson from New York.
The medal was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut. No mintage is reported.
References: MACo 1986-096
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 | ©1984 MEDALLIC ART CO. - DANBURY, CT. - BRONZE |
| mintage | unknown |