All Medals

The medal's obverse bears art-deco eagle with spread wings holding crossed Stars and Strips and Condeferate flag in its talons; fire underneath; circled star above.  At top, FRIENDSHIP; at bottom, HONOR · SERVICE; signed under flames, JULIAN HARRIS

The reverse bears silhouette of Rich's flagship store building. Around, 1867 - COMMEMORATING / THE SEVENTYFIFTH - ANNIVERSARY / OF RICH'S INC (star) - 1942; across, A SOUTHERN INSTITUTION / MORRIS, EMANUEL / AND DANIEL RICH / FOUNDERS

Founded by Mauritius Reich, anglicized to Morris Rich, Rich's was a department store retail chain, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that operated in the southern U.S. from 1867 until March 6, 2005 when the nameplate was eliminated and replaced by Macy's. Many of the former Rich's stores today form the core of Macy's Central, an Atlanta-based division of Macy's, Inc., which formerly operated as Federated Department Stores, Inc.

Daniel Rich who is mentioned on the reverse was the third brother to join the partnership in 1884.

The circular medal measures 56.9mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.  No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1941-011

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 farmer and industrial worker flanking Columbia and shield with legend ACTIVELY / ASSISTING / AGRICULTURE / AND / INDUSTRY. Around, WESTERN WASHINGTON FAIR ASSOCIATION / · PUYALLUP ·

The reverse bears horse and cow around rectangular award panel. Above panel, AWARDED TO;

The Washington State Fair started as a small local enterprise in the town of Puyallup in 1900.  From these very humble beginnings it grew into a large state fair that is still operating today.

The medal measures 50.9mm in diameter and appears to be gold-plated. Neither mintage, bor mint or artist are reported and the date is a guess based on the fair's history.  Any information would be appreciated.

The medal's obverse bears view of the Memorial building. Around, · DEDICATED AUGUST 1967 · / CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS OF THE U.S.A.; under building, WASHINGTON,D.C.

The reverse bears legend within beaded border. Around, GOD · · · COUNTRY · · · HOME / · · · (cross with laurels) · · ·; across center, OUR DEAD / · ARE NOT · / UNKNOWN / SOLDIERS

The Monsignor Edward J. Higgins Memorial Building is located at 2 Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, D.C., and was dedicated in August 1967, a time when America was heavily involved in the ever more unpopular Vietnam war.

I can't be sure, but the legend on the reverse can be read as a gesture of defiance by the Catholic War Veterans against both the government's handling of the war and the public's increasing lack of support for veterans.

The circular medal measures 63.6mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.  No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1967-034

The medal's obverse bears female angel in flight, reaching for a star in the firmament. Signed at bottom, B. LUCCHESI

The reverse bears two hands holding an eight-pointed star. Across, Christmas / 1975; at right bottom, © MACO / 1975

The circular medal measures 63.4mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver bu the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1975-164

The medal's obverse bears three female figures representing Friendship, Love, and Truth, under masonic eye of providence. Old man at lower left is lent a helping hand while young woman at lower right holds up her baby begging for help. On streamer at bottom, FRIENDSHIP LOVE AND TRUTH

The reverse bears IO.OF / GRAND NATIONAL / CELEBRATION / OF THE / FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY / PHILADELPHIA / APRIL 23 1869

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows was founded on the North American Continent in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 26, 1819 when Thomas Wildey and four members of the Order from England instituted Washington Lodge No. 1. This lodge received its charter from Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows in England. At that time, the city was suffering both a yellow fever epidemic and mass unemployment so they dedicated the organization to "Visit the sick, relieve the distress, bury the dead and educate the orphans."

The circular medal measures 51mm in diameter.  No mintage is known.
 

References:   Cal FM-1975

The medal's obverse bears portrait of bearded Longfellow, slight left, surrounded by massive wreath. To left and right, 1807 - 1907; signed at bottom over wreath, B.L.PRATT

The reverse bears legend in center field surrounded by massive wreath, HENRY / WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW / - POET - / BORN IN PORTLAND MAINE / FEBRUARY 27 - 1807 / DIED IN CAMBRIDGE / MASSACHUSETTS / MARCH 24 - 1882; signed above wreath, B.L.PRATT 1907

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) was an American poet and educator whose works include Paul Revere's Ride, The Song of Hiawatha, and Evangeline. He was also the first American to translate Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy, and was one of the five Fireside Poets from New England.

The circular medal measures 63.5mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. No mintage is reported.

References:   Baxter 218

The medal's obverse bears a nude with lyre in front of Pegasus; signed GAETANO CECERE 1931.

The reverse bears a grouping of transmission towers, lightning bolts, and wings, surrounded by wreathes and text in concentric circles. Legend reads FOR DISTINGUISHED CONTRIBUTION TO THE RADIO ART | OVER THE COLUMBIA BROADCASTING SYSTEM.

The medal was awarded "for Distinguished Contribution to Radio" and by 1934 only six people had received it. They were: Colonel Charles Lindbergh, Sir John A. Reith, director general of the BBC, Leopold Stokowski, conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Amelia Earhart, Nino Martini, Metropolitan Opera tenor, and Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, Antarctic explorer.

The medal is part of many museum collections, including the Smithsonian Institute, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Cornell University Library, which has a beautiful image online.

The circular medallion's diameter is 102mm and it was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.  No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1931-017, Marqusee 104