'Hail to Dionysus' by Paul Manship - Medallic Art Collector

Bronze with saddle brown patina

Description

This medal was chosen as the 2nd issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. The obverse bears a grape-crowned, bearded god of wine over shallow, two-handled kylix. Around, in two lines, HAIL - TO - DIONYSUS - WHO - FIRST - DISCOVERED / THE - MAGIC - OF - THE - GRAPE. The reverse bears youthful satyrs trampling grapes. Below, signed © / .P.MANSHIP 1930.

Manship's medal proved to be highly controversial and thus provided much needed publicity for the still young Society of Medalists. America was still nominally observing Prohibition and at least one member is reported to have resigned over this "glorification of wine."

The medal measures 73mm in diameter. The Medallic Art Company of New York struck a reported 1,950 medals in bronze and 50 in silver.

References: MACo 1930-001-002, Marqusee 256, Murtha 265, SoM 2

Variant Details

This section contains a table of detailed variant information. Currently, I am only aware of 4 variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any others or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Bronze
patina	Bronze with saddle brown patina
edge12	THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS SECOND ISSUE
edge6	MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y.
diameter	73mm
mintage	1950 reported (for all Bronze variants)

material	Bronze
patina	Bronze with deep hematite red patina
edge12	THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS FIRST ISSUE
edge6	MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. BRONZE
diameter	73mm
mintage	1950 reported (for all Bronze variants)

material	Bronze
patina	Bronze with glossy graphite brown patina
edge12	THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS FIRST ISSUE
edge6	MEDALLIC ART CO.-DANBURY, CT.-BRONZE
diameter	73mm
mintage	1950 reported (for all Bronze variants)

material	Silver
edge12	THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS FIRST ISSUE - ONE OF LIMITED ISSUE OF 700
edge6	MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. - .999+ PURE SILVER
diameter	73mm
mintage	50 reported, 700 authorized

Last modified: Oct 26, 2017 16:57