Medals Related to Flight

This medal's obverse bears a male figure with wings affixed to his outstretched arms, four different methods of manned flight in background: a hot air balloon, a dirigible, and two early-model airplanes.

The reverse bears bird in flight. Across center, PROGRESS / IN / AVIATION / CHICAGO NUMISMATIC SOCIETY / MEDALLIC SERIES / MCMX

The second art medal issued by the Chicago Numismatic Society (the precursor to the Chicago Coin Club) was dedicated to Aviation. In the early 20th century Chicago was one of the hotbeds of aviation engineering. Thus it came as no big surprise that it was decided to pick Progress in Aviation as the theme for an art medal. Carl Schrieber won the competition for the design of this medal.

The circular medal measures 51mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by Whitehead & Hoag of Newark, New Jersey. The reported mintage in bronze is 200 pieces. The silver pieces were struck later, possibly by the U.S. Mint. No mintage is reported.

The medal's obverse bears portrait of young Lindbergh, slight right, before sea and sky, sun setting at left. Around upper right, C * LINDBERGH *; across, NEW · YORK - · TO PARIS · IN · / · 33½ HOURS · / MAY 20 · 21 / · 1927 · ; signed above left shoulder, © H

The reverse bears airplane over sea and setting sun, flanked by wings emanating from shell at bottom center. Around top, · · NEW · YORK · TO · PARIS · ; at bottom, · · · c 1927 H · ·

This is one of the more beautiful Lindbergh commemorative medals.  Hinton shows his soft touch in a portrait that reflects both youth and boundless optimism.

The medal measures 70mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver. No mintages are reported though I have only encountered the small bronze and the silver medal once, so they appear to be rarer than the large bronze.

References:   MACo 1932-014, Marqusee 205

References:   MACo 1930-053

The obverse bears a bust (l.) of Richard Byrd wearing aviator's goggles emerging from a bank of clouds. Across, COMMEMORATING THE CONQUEST OF THE POLES / BY REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD E. BYRD / AND HIS ASSOCIATES / PRESENTED BY / THE AERONAUTICAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF AMERICA; along bottom edge, MAY 9 1926 - NOVEMBER 29 1929.

The reverse bears eagle perched on airborne Ford tri-motor; polar scene below, Signed at bottom right, KILENYI.

The bronze medal measures 82.4mm (3.25") in diameter and was struck by Whitehead & Hoag. During the presentation banquet one gold medal was given to Admiral Byrd, his associates received silver medals, and all other guests received bronze medals. The mintage is 1,000 pieces in bronze, 65 in silver-plate and 1 in 10kt gold. 

According to Harry Waterson, the undisputed Kilenyi specialist, a piece in sterling silver might exist. It might be that an initial production run or a sample piece was struck in sterling silver but then, due to the Great Depression, subsequent pieces were struck in much less cheaper silver-plated base metal.  Any updates on this question would be highly welcome.

References:   Marqusee 217

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 medal's obverse bears winged Italia head, facing left, with stylized waves below. Around, · CROCIERA AEREA (star) DEL DECENNALE · / ROMA-CHICAGO NEW-YORK-ROMA; signed under truncation, R MORBIDVCCI

The reverse bears eight groups of three planes  flying around upper circumference from Colloseum and buildings at lower right via polar bear at top to skyscrapers at lower left; stylized waves between two cities. In center field, REDIT ITALIA / PER AETHERA / MVSSOLINI DVCE / BALBO / DVCTORE; at bottom,  · MCMXXXIII · XI ·

The event commemorated by this medal is a stunning formation flight of 24 planes from Rome to Chicago where they participated in the celebrations of the Chicago World's Fair of 1933 . The fleet, also called the Italian Air Armada, took of from Rome on July 1, 1933 and arrived in Chicago 49 hours later, having stopped for refueling in Amsterdam, Derry, Reykjavik, Cartwright, Shediac, and Montreal.

The fleet was led by Italo Balbo (1896-1940), a dedicated Italian Fascist and early member of Mussolini's inner circle. Though he had only minimal experience in aviation, Balbo was appointed Secretary of State for Air. Rather than treating this position as a sinecure, Balbo took a crash course in flying and began building up the Italian Air Force.  He personally led a transatlantic flight of twelve Savoia-Marchettis in 1930 before leading the Italian Air Armada  to Chicago in 1933.

While intended as a demonstration of Italian might under its Fascist leader Mussolini, America loved heros of any stripe and celebrated him and his compatriots.  President Roosevelt invited him to lunch and awarded him the Distinguished Flying Cross. The pilots were given a parade in New York and Balbo was warmly welcomed by the Italian Americans. 

Balbo was killed by friendly fire when his plane was shot down by the Italian cruiser San Giorgio while he was trying to return to Lybia where he served as Governor-General.

This medal is a master piece of Italian art deco. It is clearly influenced by the Fascist aesthetic but not to the extreme of including the helmeted Mussolini or the nude warriors. The choice of the winged Italia, even a firece winged Italia, puts the medal back into a more civil(ian) setting.

The circular medal measures 60.6mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and .800 silver by Arte Medaglia, Rome. No mintage is reported for either material.

The medal's obverse bears art-deco style flight trophy with enameled red cross in center. On base, CHALLENGE / MAURICE RAPHAEL; around, LES AMIS DE L'AVIATION SANITAIRE

The reverse bears center field with light plane and cross within beaded border, surrounded by wreath of roses. Under plane, EN TEMOINAGE / DE RECONNAISSANCE

The circular medal measures 50mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by Arthus-Bertrand. No mintage is reported.