The medal's obverse bears male and female nudes stretching towards the sky, winged Pegasus rearing at left. Below, signature G. CECERE / © 1933.
The reverse bears twin peaks with a small tree growing at their feet with stars above. Above, concentric two-line legend, THERE IS NO EASY WAY FROM THE / EARTH TO THE STARS.
It was created in the middle of the Great Depression and, in Cecere's own words, symbolizes
"the age-old inner urge of a large portion of humanity - its never-ceasing struggle to free from the bondage of the sordid and material, its aspiration toward a higher place of existence."
He dedicated his medal to "those who are fighting adversities while maintaining a vision of a higher goal."
This medal was chosen as the eighth issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. It measures 73mm in diameter and had a reported production of 1,287 in bronze and 125 in silver.
References: MACo 1930-001-008, Marqusee 107, SoM 8