All Medals

References:   MACo 1962-020

The medallion's obverse bears, within decorated border, seated young woman holding a banner before a sky of stars and one falling star to her right. On banner, COMET ENGRAVING CO. / ESTABLISHED 1898 / CHICAGO

The reverse bears, within same decorated border, ENGRAVERS / AND / DESIGNERS / OF / EMBOSSIN / AND / STAMPING / DIES / IN / BRASS / AND / STEEL

The Comet Engraving Company was founded in 1898 by German immigrant Jacob “Honest Jake” Salg. The company, now named Comet Die & Engraving Company, is still under family management: two of Salg's great grandsons are managing it as of 2017.

This is a beautiful medal, probably designed as a showcase of Comet's work. Based on the lettering I would date it to the 1930's or 1940's, but I'd love to learn more about it.

The circular medallion measures 82.4mm in diameter. It was probably designed and struck in-house by the Comet Engraving Company.

The medal's obverse bears large gear wheel with French head in center. Across, MEDALLIC / ART / COMPANY / DANBURY / CONNECTICUT; several workers putting finishing touches on lettering and gear; one holding a large tablet with artist's signature, F. Eliscu

The medal's reverse bears winged steed fighting with muscular nude male figure trying to bind him.

The reverse illustrates the story of how Bellerophon tamed Pegasus with a golden bridle handed to him by the goddess Athena.

The circular medal measures 73.5mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut. No mintage is reported.

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

References:   MACo 1973-001

The medal's obverse bears unicorn rampant, facing left. To its right, TO / THE / DREAMERS / OF / DREAMS; signed between tail loop, (JOV monogram)

The reverse bears clendar panel flanked by male figure with hound at left and female figure with sword at right; two snails below.  On banner at top, egi quod potui; above calendar panel, MCMLXXXII; below, 1982

The medal's obverse is identical to Jovine's Society of Medalists medal that was issued two years before. That medal had proved to be a hugely popular design and I guess the Medallic Art Company was looking for a way to extend the design's commercial usefulness.

This medal appeas to have been offered to corporate clients with customized edge lettering.  Please let me know what variants you encounter.

The circular medal measures 76.1mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1981-054, Cal MA-1982

The medal's obverse bears multi-line inscription, 1860 - 1945 / BOSTON / NUMISMATIC / SOCIETY / 85TH ANNIVERSARY; signed (?) at bottom, HS

The medal's reverse bears Society's seal on bottom. Above, SHEPARD POND / 1889-1945 / IN MEMORIAM

Shepard Pond (1889-1945) first became the Boston Numismatic Society's Secreatary in 1924 and quickly traversed the available leadership positions until he was elected President in 1938. He also served as ANA governor for several years.  His transformative leadership brought about the New England Numismatic Association (NENA) and the first election of a woman to a leadership position.

The medal itself is not particularly inspired. Absent a wealthy sponsor, regional numismatic societies rarely had the means to hire famous artists for commemorative medals and 1945 was not exactly an easy year in world history.

The circular medal measures 44.4mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. No mintage is reported.

The obverse bears bust of Ulysses Grant r.; below, seal of the Society; to left of truncation, four stars denoting his rank. Around, GENERAL ULYSSES S. GRANT; signed on trunctation, TIFFANY

The reverse shows a view of Grant's tomb. Around, DEDICATED NEW YORK APRIL 27 1897; in exergue, ISSUED BY THE THE AMERICAN NUMISMATIC / AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY; signed at bottom, TIFFANY & CO.

This is the 11th medal issued by the American Numismatic Society.

The medal measures 64mm in diameter and was designed and struck by Tiffany & Company. The reported mintage for this medal is 1 piece in gold, 81 in silver, and 500 in bronze.

References:   ANS 11, Marqusee 376

References:   ANS 38, Baxter 182, MACo 1919-003

The medal's obverse bears female figure holding star-emblazoned  American Legion shield, facing torch-bearing girl. Around, (star) (star) (star) HONOR (star) SCHOLARSHIP (star) SERVICE (star) (star) (star) / AMERIANISM (star) LEADERSHIP (star) COURAGE

The reverse bears American Eagle in flight over American flag and award panel. On panel, AWARDED TO / HENRIETTA RENKER / BY / A L A UNIT No 344 / JULY 22 1929; around, (star) (star) AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY (star) DEPT. OF PENNA (star) (star) / SCHOOL AWARD

The circular medal measures 50.5mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. No mintage is reported.

The medal's obverse bears diamond-shaped centerfield with sun surrounded by labels for the four quadrants depicting plants representing the four seasons; from top right in clockwise order, grapes (Autumn Equinox), flowers (Summer Solstice), fresh leaves (Spring Equinox), pine branches and cones (Winter solstice). On ring surrounding four quadrants in cursive script, The turning of the earth and the seasons. Signed in summer quadrant, MG

The reverse bears calendar panel doubling up as trellis, framed by flowers on three sides and vertical 1995 at right.

The medal was designed by Melody Gorzelanczyk and modeled by Virginia Janssen.

The circular medal measures 76.2mm in diameter and was struck in brone by the Medalcraft Mint of Green Bay, Wisconsin. No mintage is reported.

References:   Cal MC-1995