All Medals

The obverse bears head of mother with closed eyes holding her child with long hand supporting head. Along left and right edges, PRO / PATRIA

The reverse depicts Prometheus chained to rock at ankles and wrists, attacked by eagle. At top, left, and right, PRO / HVMANI / TATE (mark composed of crossed flaming torches over bar); signed below, Joseph E. Renier. Sc. / ©

Renier dedicated this medal to "all those who contriute their something to life." He wrote in the medal's brochure:

"The underlying theme of this medal is the devotion of womanhood and manhood to country and to humanity. "

1941 was the year America officially entered World War II and the theme of "sacrifice" and "devotion" was lay heavily on people's minds. Prometheus' "For Humanity" applies to the legen just as it applied to how American's saw their involvement in the war.

This medal was chosen as the 23rd issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1941. It measures 73mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company of New York which struck 849 pieces in bronze and 100 in silver.

References:   MACo 1930-001-023, Marqusee 330, SoM 23

The medal's obverse bears nobleman standing in front of array of flags and bladed weapons, skimpy eagle with spread wings at his feet. Around, COMPLIMENTS OF EAGLE ENGRAVING & STAMPING CO. / OFFICE ROBT. STOLL - 18 JOHN ST. NEW YORK; signed around bottom, D. BRENNER - FECIT N.Y.

The reverse bears legend: MANUFACTURERS / COINS, / MEDALS, / BADGES ETC. / ALL KINDS OF STAMPING IN / GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE, BRASS, ETC. / IN GENERAL FOR THE TRADE / PRESS & DROP HAMMER WORK / A SPECIALTY / 92 FULTON ST & / 132 WILLIAM ST. / NEW YORK / ESTIMATES FURNISHED WITH OR WITHOUT DIES.

Victor David Brenner was at the very beginning of his career when he made this medal while he was working for Robert Stoll. It was used as a store card to show off some of the services that Stoll could provide.

The circular medal measures 44.7mm in diameter and was struck in white metal by Robert Stoll. No mintage is reported.  It is referenced in Smedley's catalogue as #6.

The obverse bears human body with circulatory system over a head facing right. Around, MEDICINE - THE RELIEF OF SUFFERING AND PRESERVATION OF LIFE; signed at lower right, M HIBBIT

The reverse bears same head, this time facing left. Legend completely filling head, THE GREAT / EXPERIMENT / THAT MAN BEGAN / UPON HIMSELF / MEDICINE / IS NOT YET ENDED / NOR WILL IT EVER / BE COMPLETED / 1974

The medal's obverse bears bust of Frits Holm, facing right. Around, FRITS - HOLM; signed at bottom, ALBERT BRUCE-JOY FECIT MCMXXI

The reverse bears Chinese symbols around central field with beaded border. Inside, — DEN —  / HOLM · NESTORIANSKE / EXPEDITION TIL SANFV /SHENSI N · V · KINA / MCMVII · VIII / TIL MINDE

Frits Holm (1881-1930) was a Danish scholar and adventurer who is best known for the his 1907 attempt to "obtain" the famous Nestorian Stele, an ancient Christian monument in Xi'an, China.  When Chinese authorities learned of his expedition they moved the stele and he had an exact copy manufactured to not leave empty-handed.

The Metropolitan Museum of Fine Arts had the replica on loan for 10 years before George Leary, a wealthy New Yorker, bought it as a gift for the Pope.

The circular medal measures 64mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

Many thanks to Ben Burnham for his permission to use images from his eBay store.

References:   MACo 1922-017

The medal's obverse bears portrait of Thodore Low De Vinne, half right; de Vinne's signature around edge.  Around, THE VNITED TYPTHETAE OF AMERICA / ORGANIZED - 1887; signed at left (JBB monogram)

The reverse bears organization's coat of arms over crossed palm and laurel branches. On streamer across, PRESENTED BY - THE UNITED TYPOTHETAE OF AMERICA / TO; in cartouche, HARRY P. PEARS / SIXTEENTH PRESIDENT / 1902; signed at lower right, DAVISON, PHILA.

The United Typothetae of America was the predecessor organization to Printing Industries of America, Established in 1887, it had no permanent headquarters until 1902 when an office opened in New York City. This medal might well have been awarded to Harry Pears on the occasion of the group's building inauguration.

The medal's sculptor and date are somewhat uncertain.  Dick Johnson lists Henry Kirke Bush-Brown as the medal's sculptor and dates the medal to around 1910. Yet the medal is signed with his son James' initials and has an engraved date of 1902. Unfortunately, if James really was the sculptor and the medal really was awarded in 1902 as the engraving suggests, we have another problem: James was only nine years old and could not have designed the medal. Maybe the father designed the medal and the son sculpted it and got to sign it and it was awarded retroactively.

Unless we choose to disregard all information, we are left with a medal dating to between 1900 and 1920 and at least one member of the Bush-Brown family as the medal's sculptor. Maybe a descendent of the artists can shed some light on the mystery.  For now, I have given the meal to the son because it bears his signature.

The circular medal measures 63.8mm in diameter and was struck by Davison of Philadelphia. No mintage is reported.

The medal's obverse bears the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, depicting Zeus seated on a throne, holding a scepter in his left hand and a figure of Victory; priests at his feet provide a measure of scale.

The reverse bears calendar panel in three columns surrounded by twelve scenes depicting Heracles' Labors. At top of middle panel, 2001

Heracles was Zeus' mortal son who is said to have established the Olympic Games to honor his father. Heracles' Twelve Labors are a series of episodes concerning a penance carried out by Heracles, the greatest of the Greek heroes, whose name was later Romanised as Hercules. They were accomplished over 12 years at the service of King Eurystheus.

The medals were originally offered for a price of $34.95 per bronze piece and $169.00 per silver piece.

The circular medal measures 76.3mm in diameter and was struck in antiqued bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company of Dayon, Nevada. No mintages are reported.

References:   Cal MA-2001

The medal's obverse bears dog's head facing left, surrounded by heavy grass or fur border. To top and left, WESTMINSTER / KENNEL / CLUB / BENCH SHOW

The reverse bears palm frond and laurel sprig. Across, AWARDED / TO / ALTHEA FARM KENNELS / CH. NORA OF SIONHILL / BEST / WHIPPET / 1930

The circular medal measures 49.6mm in diameter and was struck in sterling silver by Dieges & Clust of New York.  No mintage is reported.

The medal's obverse bears portrait of Patrick Cardinal Hayes facing three quarters left. Around, + PATRICK · CARDINAL · HAYES + / APRIL · 30 · 1924

The medal's reverse bears the coat of arms of the diocese of New York. Around, + CONGRATULATORY · BANQUET + / CATHOLIC CLUB; signed TIFFANY & CO.

Patrick Joseph Hayes (1867-1938) was born in Manhattan as the son of poor Irish immigrants. He rose quickly through the church hierarchy and was elevated to the rank of Cardinal by pope Pius XI on March 24th, 1924.

This medal was issued as a commemorative of an April 30th dinner held by the Catholic Club of New York to celebrate the occasion.

The circular medal measures 63.4mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by Tiffany and Co. of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   ANS 28, Baxter 253

The medal's obverse depicts a hospital scene with Japanese doctor taking the pulse of caucasian patient sitting up in bed, Japanese nurse standing by with a bottle of medicine. Around top, Japaense symbols ; signed at left, P LENOIR

The reverse bears crossed French and Japanese flags with Cross on lotus flower in center. Around, HOPITAUX JAPONAIS EN FRANCE, across, 1914 - 1918

The Japanese Red Cross Society had acquired an impressive reputation by providing assistance with numerous disasters world-wide, for example the San Francisco earthquake of 1906.

Only a few days after Japan entered World War I on the Allied side, the Japanese Cabinet requested that the Red Cross Society send three groups of doctors and nurses to Europe: one each to Japan’s allies, Britain, France and Russia. The leaders of the Red Cross Society accepted this proposal, readily recognizing the national and international importance of this pioneering act of Asian medical aid to European countries. The three allies quickly accepted the Japanese suggestion.