All Medals

This medal's obverse bears bust of Curley facing three quarters left. Around, GOVERNOR JAMES MICHAEL CURLEY; signed above shoulder at right, Parafino / Sc.

This medal's reverse bears a summary of Curley's public service career surrounded by laurel wreath, seal of the Commonwealth at bottom. Inscription reads MEMBER / OF / BOSTON / COMMON COUNCIL / 1900 - 1901 / MASS. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES / 1902 - 1903 / BOARD OF ALDERMEN / 1904 - 1905 · 1906 - 1907 · 1908 - 1909 / CITY COUNCIL 1910 - 1911 / 62nd AND 63rd CONGRESS 1911- 1915 / MAYOR OF BOSTON / 1914 - 1917 · 1922 - 1925 · 1930 - 1933 / GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS / 1935 - 1936

James Michael Curley (1874-1958) was one of the most colorful Massachusetts politicians ever and a perfect example of the old-style machine politics of the first half of the 20th century. He rose from poverty to become councillor, member of the House, Mayor of Boston, and even Governor of Massachusetts.

His legendary popularity includes getting elected into public office while serving jail terms for fraud, corruption, and bribery. While the legal troubles gave him a bad reputation among the old upper class Wasps of Boston, the increasingly numerous and vocal Irish immigrant class unfailingly supported him during his career.

In one popular stunt, while Governor of Massachusetts, he appeared at the Harvard University commencement ceremony wearing silk stockings, knee britches, a powdered wig, and a three-cornered hat with flowing plume. When University marshals objected to his costume, the story goes, Curley whipped out a copy of the Statutes of the Massachusetts Bay Colony which prescribed proper dress for the occasion and claimed that he was the only person at the ceremony properly dressed, thereby endearing him to many working and middle class Yankees.

Unlike many other local politicians, James Michael Curley has not been forgotten. Curley is widely believed to have been the model for protagonist Frank Skeffington in the Edwin O'Connor novel "The Last Hurrah". Spencer Tracey portrayed Skeffington in a John Ford film based on the novel. Since Curley, every Boston mayor has been driven in a car with the license registration 576, representing the number of letters in his first, middle, and last name: James (5) Michael (7) Curley (6). The Curley family still holds Massachusetts auto registration number 5. It is owned by his step-son Richard.

The round medal measures 76.1mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. Its mintage is not reported.

References:   MACo 1936-037

References:   MACo 1937-008

The obverse bears bust of Lincoln, r. (no button holes on lapel). Around, SALVATOR / PATRIAE.; signed below truncation, EMIL SIGEL FECIT.

The reverse bears wreath around circumference; ribbon running through wreath with inscription PUB. BY THE / AMERICAN / NUMISMATIC / AND / ARCHAEOLOGICAL / SOCIETY / NEW YORK 1866. In center field, IN / MEMORY / OF THE / LIFE ACTS AND DEATH / OF / ABRAHAM LINCOLN / BORN FEBRUARY 12. 1809. / DIED APRIL 15. 1865.

This medal, the first one to be officially issued by the ANS, almost proved financially calamitous to the young organization. The dies gave out quickly and Sigel had to create a second set. The Society put a $720 lien on the set of dies until the additional costs were completely repaid.

The circular medal measures 83mm in diameter. Mintage numbers are uncertain but believed to be between 100 and 125 pieces in bronze and 30 in white metal (tin).

J.S. and A.B. Wyon of London were authorized to strike reductions of the medal in different sizes and metals. Variants that are known to exist include bronze pieces, silver and white metal pieces in sizes of 35mm, 16mm and 7mm. All of these are rare. These medals were not issued by the ANS, though the Society purchased 25 sets for sale to its members.

References:   ANS 1, Marqusee 353

References:   MACo 1947-023

The medal's obverse bears beautiful rendition of Aesculap's staff with wings at top and snake curled over staff. Around, NEW YORK MEDICAL COLLEGE / CHARTERED 1860

The reverse bears legend over stylized wreath: Presented by / The Alumni Association / and / The Parents' Council / of / New York Medical College / Class of 1975

There is a second medal that is almost identical and differs only in that it names the class of 1976 instead of the class of 1975.

The circular medal was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1975-014-001

References:   MACo 1958-046-002

References:   BG 23

The dagger-shaped medal's obverse bears portrait of Martha Graham, facing left on a round overlay. Signed at bottom of hilt, LEONDA FINKE

The reverse bears nude female figure with dagger raised above her head, in dance pose, one leg raised high along the edge of the medal.

Martha Graham (1894-1991) was a world-famous American dancer and choreographer. Her modern reinterpretation of the tale of Agamemnon and Clytemenestra premiered in 1958 and gained rave reviews. It was so successful that it even had a limited run on Broadway.

The medal measures 97mm x 102mm and was cast in bronze in a limited edition. 

The medallion's obverse bears bust of Gallatin facing right.

The reverse bears dedication in large letters, ALBERT GALLATIN / from / his friend / Paul Manship / March / 1955

Albert Gallatin (1881-1952) was an American collector, painter, and critic who founded the Gallery of Living Art at New York University in 1927. Nine years later he renamed his institution the Museum of Living Art. The Gallery of Living Art was one of the first in America to display works by contemporary European artists such as Pablo Picasso and Fernand Léger. In 1937, Gallatin became a member of the American Abstract Artists Group, which encouraged American artists to "break the rules" as European modernists had done.

Gallatin and Manship both had strong ties to New York City and Massachusetts, so it is not surprising that they knew each other well. Though Manship was a strong and lifelong traditionalist in his work, he obviously admired Gallatin and his passion for modern art. The inscription on the reverse reflects the tradition of artists dedicating works to one another out of friendship and professional respect.

The circular medallion measures 92.5mm in diameter and was cast in bronze. No mintage is reported.