All Medals

The medal's obverse bears eight segments depicting scenes from different olympic winter sport events, surrounding center field with Lake Placid Olympics symbol and XIII OLYMPIC / WINTER / GAMES / LAKE / PLACID / 1980; signed at right, © (JOV monogram)

The reverse bears calendar panel flanked by two olympic torches. Pine cones and 1980 at top.

The circular medal measures approximately 76.1mm in diameter and was struck in various materials. No mintages are reported and I am speculating on the existence of a silver variant. The fourth variant bears both MACO and SPORRONG on the edge and weighs significantly more than the very similar third variant. Was is produced to spec for the Scandinavian Sporrong Mint or maybe in license by the Sporrong Mint? Any additional information would be appreciated.

References:   MACo 1979-080, Cal MA-1980

The obverse bears two nude babies. Above, BETTER BABIES. The reverse bears a field for the name of the recipient and the following legend: BETTER - BABIES - MEDAL / AWARDED BY / THE / WOMAN'S / HOME COMPANION; signed LAURA FRASER / SCULPTOR. The medal is edgemarked © CROWELL PUB. CO. 1913

Elaine Leotti, in her paper "The American Woman Medalist," comments:

"Fraser's Better Babies Medal done in 1913 for the Woman's Home Companion is her only piece which can truly be called feminine. It is a well balanced medal, nicely executed if a bit on the sentimental side. The babies' bare flesh is soft, almost palpable, their curls and dimpled elbows invite touch, thus appealing to exactly the audience the medal was meant to impress."

Today, the title "Better Babies" almost invariably elicits a wince or a giggle. What was the background for this medal? As the Eugenics Archive of Cold Harbor Spring Laboratory puts it:

At the beginning of the 20th century, citizens concerned about high infant mortality in the United States took up the call of "baby saving." These initiatives relied on standards for normal child development, as well as input from healthcare professionals and public health officials. Better Babies Contests addressed this concern for child welfare and physical development, becoming the first eugenic competitions held at state fairs.

The first "Scientific Baby Contest" to combine these standards was initiated by Mary DeGarmo in 1908 at the Louisiana State Fair. DeGarmo linked the competitions to the social efficiency movement and its call for standardized homes, roads, and schools. Many Progressives believed that such standardization would improve the lives of young children.

With the assistance of Dr. Jacob Bodenheimer, measures of contestants' physical and intellectual development were carefully recorded. Winning contestants often appeared in graduation gowns and were presented with "loving cups" to mark their achievement. By 1913, the Woman's Home Companion magazine co-sponsored the contests, which were simply known as "Better Babies Contests." The magazine presented certificates signed by DeGarmo and Bodenheimer documenting that winners had "a sound mind in a sound body."

Mary T. Watts and Florence Brown Sherbon had organized Better Babies in Iowa in 1911. However, in 1920 they were provided new evaluation forms by Charles Davenport, who was then a member of the American Association for the Study and Prevention of Infant Mortality (AASPIM). Using Davenport's forms, they organized the first "Fitter Families for Future Firesides Competition" at the Kansas State Free Fair. Watts and Sherbon added a hereditarian explanation for human differences to the Better Babies Contests' earlier focus on child development and welfare. Thus they completed the transformation of Scientific Baby Contests to a vehicle popularizing eugenic ideas.

The medal exists in a 33mm gold and a 51mm bronze variant. The Medallic Art Company struck it between 1912 and some time in the mid twenties and the total mintage is probably in the hundreds.

Sourced from the excellent E-Sylum and the Eugenics Archive.

References:   Baxter 355, MACo 1913-005

The medal's obverse bears navy soldier in fighting stance, gun leveled towards left and infantry soldier in similar stance, gun leveld towards right. In background, ocean with ship at left and land with building at right. Around, FOR GOD & COUNTRY; in exergue, SEMPER FIDELIS; signed between soldiers above exergue, (RTM monogram) / 22

The reverse bears American eagle over cartouche and American Legion seal. In cartouche, AMERICAN LEGION / SCHOOL AWARD / COURAGE HONOR SERVICE / LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

The American Legion was formed in February 1919 by three officers of the American Expeditionary Forces in Paris. Congress chartered the organization in September of the same year and the group became very influential, playing the leading role in drafting and passing the so-called "GI Bill."

The circular medal measures 75.6mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1922-044-01, Marqusee 261

The obverse bears upper body of muscular worker with short-sleeved shirt unbuttoned, right arm across body in dynamic pose. At lower left, COURAGE

The reverse bears rising sun over stylized wave-framed horizon at bottom. Above, DEDICATED / to all / those who have / the courage to / face adversity / with a conquering / spirit

This plaque holds one of Fairbanks' most iconic images: the heroic worker, facing whatever challenges the day might bring with determination and courage. It is a very 1930's motif, executed beautifully and dynamically. In some ways, it is very reminiscent of Communist imagery. Taken out of context, it might well be an image from a Soviet medal praising the "heroic socialist worker doing his part to fulfill the ten-year plan." Regardless, it is a beautiful plaquette and definitely in my list of favorite medals.

This plaque measures 60mm x 90mm and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1933-018

The medal's obverse bears William Morton and Hans Hendrik, dressed in cold-weather gear, standing on desolate, rocky shore with Morton pointing at the open sea.

The reverse is coated with a smooth layer of lead.

In 1845 through 1848 Sir John Franklin led the British North-West Passage Expedition to search for a northern ocean passage around the American continent.  Two ships with 129 sailors vanished and their fate remained undetermined years later.  The first Grinnell Expedition was launched in 1850 under the command of Edwin de Haven. While they were successful in locating Franklin's first winter camp, they ultimately had to turn around without having fulfilled their mission of dertmining Franklin's fate.

The Second Grinnell Expedition of 1853-1855 was led by Dr. Elisha Kane, who had already been a member of the first Grinnell expedition. The expedition soon became ice-locked and could not continue but they sent out an exploration team consisting of William Morton and Eskimo guide Hans Hendrik. The two traveled by dog sled and reported that they had found open water, the long sought open polar sea. 

Three expedition members died during the return trip and Kane himself never fully recovered from the ordeal. He died in 1857 after having traveled to England to deliver his report to Sir John Franklin's widow.

Tiffany & Co. fashioned a gold medal that was awarded to Kane by the State of New York upon the expedition's return. A silver medal and several coppery bronze medals were also struck.  The bronze medals are always composed from two halves that are joined by lead solder.

The piece depicted here is the obverse half of one of these medals that was obviously never assembled. 

The circular medal (half) measures 80.2mm in diameter and was struck in coppery bronze by Tiffany & Co. of New York.  While no mintage is reported, this medal is extremely rare.

The medal's obverse bears conjoined busts of Wilbur and Orville Wright, facing half-left.  Around top, FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF POWERED FLIGHT; in exergue, WILBUR ORVILLE WRIGHT / KITTY HAWK, NORTH CAROLINA / DECEMBER 17, 1903; signed above shoulder at right, KILENYI

The reverse bears rays projecting from Wright brothers' plane at right, tail of modern jet at left, clouds in background and gently sloping hills below. Around, FIRST FIFTY YEARS OF FLIGHT / SECURITY AND PROGRESS; under jet, 1953; under Wright biplane, 1903

The circular medal measures 76.4mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. No mintage is reported.

The medal's obverse bears nude male figure, kneeling, facing right, holding bow in left hand, cloak draped over arm; heavily beaded border around. At left, TO KAΛΛINIKON.

The reverse bears Roman helmet with horse design. Across, YALE - UNI-/VERSITY · / HENRY · ELIAS - HOWLAND / MEMORIAL MEDAL

Yale University's Henry Howland Memorial Prize was created in 1915 for a "citizen of any country in recognition of some achievement of marked distinction in the field of literature or fine arts or the science of government." The idealistic quality of the recipient's work is an important factor in his selection.

The award was established in honor of Henry Elias Howland (1835–1913), a member of the Yale class of 1854, by a donation of $15,000 by his children Charles P. Howland (Yale 1891), Dr. John Howland (Yale 1894), and Frances Howland. The prize has generally been awarded every two years. Henry Elias Howland was a Justice and a member of the Yale Corporation. He also served as President of the Yale Club in New York City and the Descendants of the Mayflower organization.

The obverse legend TO KAΛΛINIKON might refer to a battle between the Byzantine empire and an invading Persian army near the city of Kallinikon. General Belisarius saved the day by crossing the Euphrates on boat to rally fleeing Roman troops and turn the tide of battle.

The circular medal measures 72.9mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

Many thanks to the Numismatics department of the Yale University Art Gallery for their generosity and support in making this medal available to me for research.

References:   MACo 1917-018

This freestanding medallion depicts a chameleon with curled up tail eyeing a fly sitting on leaf below.

MAny thanks to the artist for sharing his photo with me.

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 group of three figures; male figure at left, representing industry is seated on an anvil and holds gear wheel and hammer; center female figure, representing public health, is holding caduceus and checmical reaction vessel; female figure at right, representing agriculture, is holding bundles of grain and a sickle. Around, APOTHECARIES HALL COMPANY / 1849 · CENTENNIAL ·  1949; signed at right under wheat, (RC monogram)

The medal's reverse bears view of the Apothecaries Hall Company's original building with horse-drawn cart to its left. Across, ORIGINAL ·  BUILDING · · 1849 / IN COMMEMORATION / OF A CENTVRY OF SERVICE TO / INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE, AND PVBLIC HEALTH

References:   MACo 1949-012