Medals Related to Entertainment

This medal's obverse bears three draped allegorical female figures, the rightmost holding a mask. On left and right of figures, ACTORS' - FUND / JUNE 8 1882; signed at lower right, BEACH

The medal's reverse bears the traditional masks of tragedy and comedy. Incuse around top, ACTORS' FUND OF AMERICA; dated and inscribed to recipient at bottom, AUGUST 6, 1964 / FLOYD W. STOKER

The edge is marked with MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y.

The Actors' Fund Medal was inaugurated on May 9, 1910 when it was first presented to President William Howard Taft. The award was revived in 1958, and since 1992, when Shubert Organization President Bernard B. Jacobs was recognized, the award has been presented at an annual fundraising gala in New York City. Since then, leading actors and organizations have been recognized with this high honor which is awarded to individuals and organizations that enrich the entertainment community.

In 1964 the award went to three recipients: Angus Duncan, Zero Mostel and Floyd W. Stoker. This particular medal was awarded to Floyd W. Stoker.

The original medal bore the legend NEW YORK / 1910 on the obverse. It was only awarded once in 1910 and then never again. There has been some controversy whether the original medal was co-issued with the American Numismatic Society because a tiny ANS seal can be found on the medal's obverse. However, there is no documentation that supports that this medal was an ANS issue.

The medal measures 70mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

The obverse bears bust of Sonny Rollins, three quarters left on textured background. Around edge at left, SONNY ROLLINS; signed on truncation, DAUB

The reverse bears 1972 / (corporate logo M) / 1997 in center. Around, · TWENTY FIVE YEARS · / ON MILESTONE

Sonny Rollins was born in 1930 in New York City and started pursuing music at a young age. During his high school years at Benjamin Franklin High in East Harlem he played in a band with future jazz legends Jackie McLean, Kenny Drew, and Art Taylor. During a life-long career in jazz and blues, he has been awarded many honors, including a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement in 2004 and the National Medal of Arts in 2010. Sonny Rollins has not performed in public since 2012.

The medal celebrates not just Sonny Rollins but also Milestone Records. Milestone Records was originally founded in 1966 by Orrin Keepnews and Dick Katz. The New York company specialized on Jazz and Blues. It was acquired by Fantasy Records in 1972. The medal seems to celebrate either the acquisition anniversary or the cooperation between Sonny Rollins and Milestone Records. Orrin Keepnews produced Sonny Rollins' records for much of this period.

The medal measures 57.5mm in diameter and was struck in silver-plated bronze. The mintage is not known.