All Medals

References:   Murtha 213

References:   BG 28

The medal's obverse bears two allegorical female figures representing Europe and America, flanking a giant globe spanned by a cable; angel above, Eagle and Lion at the feet of their figures; three small panels below, bearing American Eagle and shield, native with trade goods and ocean in background, and British coat of arms. At bottom, TIFFANY & CO. N.Y.

The reverse bears two ships at sea with others in background. Above, FROM THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE / AND CITIZENS OF NEW YORK,; in exergue, COMMEMORATIVE OF THE PART TAKEN / BY HIM / IN LAYING THE FIRST / TELEGRAPHIC CABLE / BETWEEN / EUROPE AND AMERICA IN AUGUST, A.D. 1858

Cyrus West Field (1819-1892) was born in Stockbridge, Massachusetts and rose to world-wide fame for being one of the backers of the first transatlantic telegraph cable.  The first trans-atlantic cable was laid from Telegraph Field, Foilhommerum Bay, Valentia Island in western Ireland to Heart's Content in eastern Newfoundland and heralded a new era of communications.  While the cable failed after a brief period of service, it proved the feasibility of the concept of instantaneous trans-atlantic communications. Its significance can be compared to the first trans-atlantic flight or the first Moon landing. 

The medal bears some similarity to the gold medals that were awarded to Field and his partner, but the reverse is different.  Struck by Tiffany and Company, New York, the circular medal measures 69mm in diameter.  Only few large-size bronze peices are known to exist.

Images courtesy of Stack's Bowers Galleries, www.StacksBowers.com.

References:   Marqusee 377

The medal's obverse bears view of temple with people on plaza in front and landscape behind. Signed at lower left, DAB

The reverse bears calendar panels inscribed into two columns next to image of multi-breasted mother-goddess Artemis. Beside goddess, ARTEMIS; at right, 2002

The Temple of Artemis calendar medal was the fifth issue in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World series. It was designed by Mark Frost and sculpted by Douglas A. Birdwell. The medal is drilled at the bottom to allow it to be pin-mounted on a display stand. 

The circular medal measures 77mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company of Dayton, Nevada. No mintages are reported.  The bronze pieces originally sold for $34.95, the silver pieces for $169.

References:   Cal MA-2002

The medallion's obverse bears standing Athena, facing, holding laurels of victory in one hand while supporting burning oil lamp of wisdom on pedestal with other. Across, CENTURY / ASSOCI- ATION

The reverse bears streamer with inscription above mepty cartouche. Streamer reads PRESENTED / BY THE / BOARD of MANAGEMENT / TO CENTURION; signed and dated in tiny letters under cartouche, PM - 55

From 1950 to 1953, Paul Manship was president of the Century Association, which was organized in 1847 as an exclusively male club for amateurs and professionals in the arts and letters. This award was established in 1954 by the association’s Board of Management.

The circular medallions measure between 89.7mm and 91mm and were cast in bronze. No mintage is reported.

The medal's obverse bears a line of five runners, flying geese overhead, slim whippet racing below.

The reverse bears a nude athlete putting the shot. Flanking the athlete, 19 (RTM monogram) 36 - REJOICE / OH / YOUNG - MAN IN / THY - YOUTH; in exergue, ©

Robert Tait McKenzie is rightly famous for his athletic subjects and this medal is a good example. As he wrote in the brochure accompanying the medal:

"The last fifty years has shown a revival and spread of interest in competitive athletic sports and outdoor life that has no parallel in the history of the world...
As one who has followed this great movement from its inceptionto maturity I have chosen two phases of it for the thirteenth medal issued by the Society."

This medal was chosen as the 13th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1936. It measures 73mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The reported production quantity of this medal is 1,001 in bronze and 100 in silver.

References:   109, MACo 1930-001-013, Marqusee 269, SoM 13

The ashtray bears rearing Pegasus atop outcropping, facing right. On rim, · CARNEGIE · CORPORATION · FOR · THE · ADVANCEMENT · AND · DIFFUSION · OF · KNOWLEDGE · AND · UNDERSTANDING · ; signed and dated under base along rim, · · PAUL · MANSHIP · © · 1927 ·

The circular ashtray measures 140mm in diameter and was cast in bronze. It is not known how many ashtrays were cast.

References:   Murtha 231

The medal's obverse bears beautifully rendered Hemerocallis flower. Around, · AMERICAN HEMEROCALLIS SOCIETY ·

The reverse bears the flower on a stem bent around the right edge.

The American Hemerocallis Society, Inc. (AHS) is a non-profit organization founded in 1946. The AHS is organized exclusively for educational and scientific purposes, and especially to promote, encourage, and foster the development and improvement of the genus Hemerocallis and public interest therein. The society’s membership includes over 6,000 avid gardeners and daylily enthusiasts, including life members, youth members and international members from 25 different countries. The hemerocallis is more commonly known as the daylily,

The circular medal measures 63.5mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1960-015

The medal's obverse bears steam train on double track, running from right to left, nude male figure flying next to it, pointing the way.  Around, ONE HUNDRED YEARS / SAFETY STRENGTH SPEED; signed at left, (HS monogram) / ©

The reverse bears early steam engine with operator in centerfield. Under tracks, PETER COOPER'S / "TOM THUMB"; around  on raised ring, · THE · BALTIMORE · AND · OHIO · RAILROAD · COMPANY · / 1827 · 1927

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company is the oldest railroad in the United States and the first common carrier railroad, with its first section opening in 1830. It came into being mostly because the city of Baltimore wanted to compete with the newly constructed Erie Canal and another canal being proposed by Pennsylvania.

Philip E. Thomas and George Brown were the pioneers of the railroad. They spent the year 1826 investigating railway enterprises in England, which were at that time being tested in a comprehensive fashion as commercial ventures. Their investigation completed, they held an organizational meeting on February 12, 1827, including about twenty-five citizens, most of whom were Baltimore merchants or bankers, and incorporated in March of 1827.

The circular medal measures 69.6mm and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1926-014

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