The obverse bears bust of Louis C. West, three-quarters left. Around, LOUIS C. WEST; signed on truncation, GILROY ROBERTS 1960
The reverse bears the ANS seal in center field. Around, PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN NUMISMATIC SOCIETY / 1949-1959
Louis C. West was the fifteenth president of the ANS, serving for the ten years from 1949 to 1959. He was highly respected and also served as the curator of Princeton University's numismatic collection for 25 years. Correspondence between the ANS and Gilroy Roberts suggests that his retirement came surprisingly and due to health reasons.
This medal was the 49th official issue of the American Numismatic Society.
It measures 69mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The mintage was 1 piece in gold and 175 in bronze.
References: ANS 49