All Medals

The medal's obverse bears walking immigrant family, faces turned upwards in silent awe. Across, the famous lines from Emma Lazarus: GIVE ME / YOUR TIRED, YOUR / HUDDLED - MASSES / YEARN-ING TO / BREAT-HE FREE. / THE WR-ETCHED / REFUSE - OF YOUR / TEEMING - SHORE. SE/ND THEESE, - THE HOME/LESS, TEM-PEST-TOST / TO ME. - I LIFT / MY LAMP - BESIDE / THE GO-LDEN / DOOR. Signed at bottom right, (JOV monogram)

The medal's reverse bears Statue of Liberty's head in center; at its right, 19 / 86; signed over left shoulder with (JOV monogram); twelve segments with months around.

In reference to the Statue of Liberty's nickname, this medal is also known as the "Mother of Exiles" medal.

The calendar panel was engraved by John Oliva.  Jovine designed and sculpted both sides but left the area of the calendar panel empty in what is called a "reserve." Oliva then added the calendar panel with all the month name and number lettering.

This circular circular medal measures 76mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and possibly silver by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut.

Many thanks to CJ Swinko for the excellent photos.

References:   MACo 1985-039, Cal MA-1986

The medal's obverse bears bust of Lincoln, facing, within thick border.

The reverse bears the seal of the state of Illinois. Around, LAND OF LINCOLN PAVILION / 1964 NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR 1965

Illinois had its own pavilion at the New York World's Fair of 1964-65 and this medal was one of the commemoratives offered there.

The medal is fairly two-dimensional, the recessed areas of the relief together with some patina used to provide dark patches, and it almost looks like it was etched.  The edge is cross-hatched.

The circular medal measures 69.1mm in diameter.  I have no information about artist, mint or mintage.  Any additional information would be appreciated.

The obverse bears bust of Hyde facing right. Around top, · JAMES · H · HYDE ·; to left, JUNE 6 / 1876; at bottom, · 1948 ·; signed under truncation, PAUL MANSHIP · SCULP

The reverse bears four heads representing the The Four Continents: Minerva in Grecian helmet, Balinese dancer in crown, American Indian with feathered Mohawk, African head with stacked neck rings inspired by the Ife Bronzes; boldly beaded border around heads.

The edge is marked MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y. BRONZE

James Hazen Hyde (1876-1959) was at the center of the first great Wall Street scandal when opponents including such notables as J.P. Morgan, E.H. Harriman and Henry Clay Frick tried to remove him from control of The Equitable, the company his father had founded. While the public smear campaign against him was largely based on untruths, it caused him great social troubles. He eventually divested himself of his businesses and left the United States for Paris to focus on other interests.

One of his great passions was history. He assembled what is probably the most comprehensive and diversified collection of decorative art objects, tapestries, prints and drawings tracing the theme of the Allegory of the Four Parts of the World (or the Four Continents) from the mid-sixteenth to the late nineteenth century. While the collection was divided up among several museums, the bulk of it remains in New York and resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New York Historical Society, the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, and the Brooklyn Museum of Art.

Many thanks to a collector who wishes to remain anonymous for sending me the images.

The medallion measures 89.3mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

References:   MACo 1948-029

References:   BG 30

References:   MACo 1924-040, Marqusee 9

The medal's obverse bears bust of Gilbert Stuart, facing left. Around left and right, GILBERT - STUART. Signed under truncation, C.C. WRIGHT F.; at lower edge,  S. ELLIS DEL.

The reverse bears Columbia with American shield on steps crowning two artists, one a painter holding a pallet and brushes, one a sculptor cradling a mallet in the crook of his arm. Around left and right, AMERICAN - ART-UNION; signed and dated on steps, P.P.D.D - C.C.W.F. - 1848

Gilbert Charles Stuart (1755-1828) was an American painter, best known for his portraits. He was born in Rhode Island but practiced his art in Newport, New York, Philadelphia and finally in Boston.  He is buried in the Old South Burial Ground of the Boston Common.

This was the second medal issued by the American Art-Union.

The circular medal measures 64.2mm in diameter and was struck in bronze, white metal, and silver at the U.S. Mint. No mintage is reported for any variant but it is believed that the one silver piece that is known (Stacks & Bowers, Americana Auction 2005) might be unique.

References:   AAU 2, Storer 2042, Marqusee 401