plants

The medal's obverse depicts a tree in front of waterfall and wilderness in center field. Around, (star) INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY (star) / 1898 - 1948

The reverse bears dedication in center field: Presented to / in recognition of / more than a quarter / century of loyal / service with the / International Paper Company / or its subsidiaries; around, (star) FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY (star) / 1898 - 1948

The company was incorporated January 31, 1898, upon the merger of 18 pulp and paper mills in the northeastern United States. Its founders and first two presidents were William Augustus Russell and Hugh J. Chisholm. The newly formed company supplied 60 percent of all newsprint in the country.

This is another very nice Chambellan medal that exists in different variants. I know of a Canadian version of this medal that differs in the text on the obverse and the edge design on the reverse.

The medal measures 62mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

References:   MACo 1948-045

The medal's obverse bears Mounty amidst trees and mountains.At his feet, a compass rose and seal of WEYERHAUSER FOREST PRODUCTS. Around, THE NORTHWEST PAPER COMPANY / 1898 · MANUFACTURERS · 1948

The medal's reverse bears large 50 with superimposed streamer reading 50 YEARS OF / MAKING BETTER PAPERS / 1898 - 1948.  Around, NORTHWEST PEDIGREED PAPERS / ALWAYS MAKE GOOD PRINTING BETTER

The medal was strucl in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

References:   MACo 1948-030

The obverse bears reclining stag before flowering plants. Signed in exergue at right, G K LATHROP

The reverse bears bird, possibly a crossbill, perched on cone, working to extract seeds from it. Around, BROOKGREEN / GARDENS

This was the second of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1974.

The circular medal measures 76mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company. No mintage is reported.

References:   BG 2

The obverse bears a gazelle in dynamic pose, front legs in air and neck arched backwards. Above, BROOKGREEN GARDENS; below, SOUTH CAROLINA

The reverse bears Carolina wren in dense rhododendron foliage.

This was the fifth of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1977. It is one of my personal favorites from the series and seems to be sought after by collectors.

The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company. No mintage is reported.

References:   BG 5

The medal's obverse bears owl perched on an oak branch. Above, MEMBER'S MEDAL; to left, PARVA NE / PEREANT; signed at lower right, ELISCU

The medal's reverse bears an oak sapling growing through a rock. Around, THE AMERICAN NUMISMATIC SOCIETY

By the 1970's it became apparent that a new member medal had to be created.  The stock of old Borglum medals was about to be exhausted and the old dies were not in good enough shape for another production run.  The ensuing competition was won by Frank Eliscu with a design that bore a Barn owl symbolizing wisdom and learning.  As Eliscu wrote in his notes:

The owl has long been a symbol of learning and scholarship. The Greeks associates the owl with their patroness Athena, Godess [sic] of Knowledge, and this bird look [sic] out from the obverse side of Athenian coins.

In using the Barn Owl, I am trying to relate more closely with the American scene, and as the A.N.S. is one of America's oldest learned societies. I feel the Barn owl, stylized, a most appropriate symbol.

The medal thus became the 53rd official issue of the American Numismatic Society. Exact mintages are not available but by April 1979 the following mintages were reported:  122 in silver and 241 in bronze.  The initial order carried serial numbers on the edge.

References:   ANS 53, MACo 1977-123

References:   BG 12

References:   BG 35