Medals Related to Death

The obverse bears a likeness of Charles Lindbergh wearing flight gear, goggles dangling over his chest, with the inscription "CHARLES AUGUSTUS LINDBERGH" and Frederick MacMonnies' monogram FM / 1931 / ©

The reverse bears an allegorical scene together with the inscription "LONE EAGLE."

Lindbergh's non-stop transatlantic flight from Long Island to Paris took place between May 20th and 21st 1927. Not only did he win $25,000 in prize money for the first non-stop flight from New York to Paris, he also captivated the imagination of an entire generation. Upon his arrival at the airfield of Le Bourget, just outside of Paris, a 100,000 strong crowd gave him a hero's welcome. His achievement was commemorated in countless stamps, medals, and commemorative issues of all kinds.

MacMonnies created this medal four years after the flight and late in his career. He tried to convey Lindbergh' spirit and courage on the obverse. In MacMonnies' own words:

"To attempt to commemorate Lindbergh's mighty achievement within the tiny compass of a three inch medal is preposterous, and if one does not succeed in represeting even a faint suggestion if the sublime courage that faced appaling odds - the fascinating problem is compensation enough. In the head of Lindbergh I have tried to catch something of the inner belief and nobility of vision of the boy, together with the experience of the master airman."

MacMonnies likely based his obverse design on the iconic photo of Lindbergh shown here.

This medal was chosen as the fourth issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1931. Struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York, this medal measures 73mm in diameter. The reported production quantity is 1,989 in bronze and 250 in silver though there were two additional 32mm-diameter editions in bronze and silver.

References:   MACo 1930-001-004, Marqusee 249, SoM 4

The obverse bears man and woman holding baby; daisy at l., ear of wheat at r. Above, PEACE / IS / LIFE; below, © HOWARD

The reverse bears skull with gaping jaw; landscape with burning buildings, steeple, dead tree. Above, WAR / IS / DEATH

In the brochure accompanying the medal Howard wrote:

"The theme of this medal is so obvious as to demand very little explanation. I should like to say, however, the 'Life' and 'Death' as here used, are intended to mean not only physical life and death, but the preservation or destruction of civilization and moral values as well."

This medal was chosen as the 42nd issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1950.  It measures 72mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. Its reported mintage is 842 pieces in silver-plated bronze.

References:   MACo 1930-001-042, SoM 42

The medal's obverse bears Pan playing pipes over a skull. Around, INGENITA LEVITAS (levity is inborn); below, signature JC in a square. The reverse bears a man holding a mirror or mask. Around, ET ERUDITA VANITAS (and vanity is learned); below signature JC in a square.

In the 1980's Cook was slowly drifting towards darker subject matter and the skull on this medal is a precursor of things to come. By 1987 his FIDEM catalog entry stated that "his works represent an exploration into various images and manifestations of death."

In 1982 he was still transitioning and wrote in the medal's brochure:

"This brief couplet from Cicero's Pro Flacco presents a profound opposition of the dionysian and appollonian aspects of man's nature. Being deeply moved both by the wit and the simple beauty employed in the fusing together of thse diverse elements, I have tried in sculptural terms to achieve a like coupling."

This medal was chosen as the 105th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1982. It measures 73mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut. The reported mintage is 750 pieces in bronze.

References:   MACo 1930-001-150, SoM 105

The medal's obverse bears laughing putto in front of stern, winged Father Time with hour glass and scythe, surrounded by moon and stars. Signed at lower left, (CS monogram)

The reverse bears calendar panel in center, framed by Father Time at left and putto at right; symbols of time, including clock face, hour glass, sun, planets, stars, scythe below. At top, 1983 on banner.

The circular medal measures 76.1mm in diameter and was struck in gold-plated bronze by the Franklin Mint. No mintage is reported.

References:   Cal FM-1983