Medals Related to Athena

The obverse bears bust of Babelon, left. Around, ERNEST · BABELON · DE · L'INSTITUT · ; signed to the right of bust, G. DEVREESE. / 1910

The reverse bears helmeted bust of Athena, left, holding spear and shield. Around, CONGRES INTERN · DE NUM · ET D'ART DE LA MED · BRUXELLES 1910 · ; signed in right field, R. BOSSELT

Ernest Babelon (1854-1924) was a French numismatist and classical archaeologist. In 1899 he was recognised with the Medal of the Royal Numismatic Society and in 1922 with the Archer M. Huntington Medal.

This medal was the 29th official issue of the American Numismatic Society. Issued jointly by the ANS and the Société Hollandaise-Belge des Amis de la Médaille d'Art, the reported mintage only applies to those pieces that were produced for the ANS.

This medal measures 65mm in diameter and was struck by Alphonse Michaux. The mintage is 156 pieces in silver and 505 in bronze.

References:   ANS 29, Baxter 259, Marqusee 120

The medal's obverse bears standing Athena/Minerva holding shield with one hand and oil lamp on pedestal with the other. In exergue, NATURAE SPECIES RATIOQUE

The medal's reverse bears six portrait busts, each surrounded by a wreath and labeled with last name: LAPHAM / PECKHAM / CHAMBERLIN / HOY / IRVING / ALLEN; below, THE WISCONSIN ACADEMY OF / SCIENCES ARTS AND LETTERS / 1870 - 1920; signed in bottom right corner, LC

The Latin phrase on the obverse translates to "Nature and her law." Athena, or Minerva in her Roman incarnation, is the goddess of wisdom and together with the oil lamp symbolizes the quest for knowledge and understanding.

References:   MACo 1920-003

The medallion's obverse bears standing Athena, facing, holding laurels of victory in one hand while supporting burning oil lamp of wisdom on pedestal with other. Across, CENTURY / ASSOCI- ATION

The reverse bears streamer with inscription above mepty cartouche. Streamer reads PRESENTED / BY THE / BOARD of MANAGEMENT / TO CENTURION; signed and dated in tiny letters under cartouche, PM - 55

From 1950 to 1953, Paul Manship was president of the Century Association, which was organized in 1847 as an exclusively male club for amateurs and professionals in the arts and letters. This award was established in 1954 by the association’s Board of Management.

The circular medallions measure between 89.7mm and 91mm and were cast in bronze. No mintage is reported.