All Medals

References:   Cal FM-1978

The medal's obverse bears female figure r., seated on ionic capital, holding model of building in outstretched hands; greek temple in background.  Around top, · ALPHA - RHO · CHI · ; signed at right bottom, GAGE

The medal's reverse bears inscription field atop pillar, nine stars above. OVer pillar, LEADERSHIP / SERVICE / MERIT; inscribed to HENRY VANNIER SHRIVER / 1952 / V.P.I.

Alpha Rho Chi is a professional co-educational college fraternity for students studying architecture and related professions. The fraternity's name is derived from the first three letters of the Greek word for architecture, αρχιτεκτονική. It was founded through the merger of two fraternities from the state universities of Michigan and Illinois.

The octagonal medal measures 50mm x 50.5mm and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.  No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1931-018

The medal's obverse bears horse-drawn fire wagon racing down a street from right to left. In exergue, FIRE DEPARTMENT / CITY OF NEW YORK

The reverse shows the fire department's coat of arms in oval field, flanked by sprigs of laurel and oak. Around, THE JOHN H. PRENTICE MEMORIAL MEDAL FOR VALOR ·; across, AWARDED TO / WILLIAM M. J. YATES / FIREMAN 1ST GRADE H. & L. CO. No. 4 / 1934; signed at bottom, TIFFANY & CO

This rare medal has been awarded since 1920 for acts of valor by New York City fire fighters. I could not find out much about either Mrs. Prentice or Yates.  Mr. Prentice seems to have been a Brooklyn official. I would love to document Mr. Yates' act of valor that caused him to receive this medal. Maybe someone with connections to the FDNY can help out with information.

My medal has been pretty badly abused. In addition to the gouges, scratches, and nicks, it also had its loop removed.  Normally, the medal is looped and worn on a ribbon.

The circular medal measures 49mm in diameter and was struck in 14kt gold by Tiffany & Co. of New York City.

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

References:   MACo 1912-G1

References:   ANS 16, Baxter 128, Marqusee 77

References:   MACo 1935-012

The medal's obverse bears head of Statue of Liberty, facing. Around, STATUE OF LIBERTY / 1886 · CENTENNIAL · 1986; signed at right, (JOV monogram)

The reverse bears Statue of Liberty facing half right. Across, GIVE - ME YOUR / TIRED, - YOUR POOR, / YOUR - HUDDLED / MASSES - YEARNING TO / BREATHE - FREE. THE / WRETCHED - REFUSE / OF YOUR - TEEMING / SHORE. - SEND / THESE, THE - HOMELESS, / TEMPEST- - TOST TO ME. / I LIFT - MY LAMP / BESIDE - THE / GOLDEN / DOOR / Emma / Lazarus; signed at lower right, (JOV monogram)

This medal bears many similarities with the 1986 Calendar medal, also by Marcel Jovine. The obverse becomes the calendar medal reverse's center field, and the reverse is changed to show an immigrant family surrounded by Emma Lazarus' poem.  At a guess, Marcel Jovine submitted multiple designs and the Medallic Art Company decided to create more than one medal from them.

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

The obverse bears reclining stag before flowering plants. Signed in exergue at right, G K LATHROP

The reverse bears bird, possibly a crossbill, perched on cone, working to extract seeds from it. Around, BROOKGREEN / GARDENS

This was the second of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1974.

The circular medal measures 76mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company. No mintage is reported.

References:   BG 2

The medal's obverse bears sword and shield bearing allegorical female figure representing France astride, facing half rightl shield emblazoned with RF; light beans emanating from behind her head; background composed of masses of small soldiers and war machinery, including airplanes and artillery.  Around, · TO · COMMEMORATE · THE · DEFENCE · OF · VERDUN - 1916 ·

The reverse bears two towers of castle fortifications with bridge and moat flanked by French soldiers crossing bayonet-equipped rifles in front of city; female figure carrying laurel crown and trumpet flying above; in exergue, Verdun's coat of arms and streamer reading · ILS · NE · PASSERONT · PAS ·; signed in exergue around bottom right, PAUL MANSHIP ©

The Battle of Verdun lasted from 21 February to 18 December 1916. For 303 days French and German forces battled back and forth, waging the longest and one of the most costly battles in human history. An estimate in 2000 found a total of 714,231 casualties, 377,231 French and 337,000 German, for an average of 70,000 casualties a month; other recent estimates increase the number of casualties to 976,000 during the battle, with 1,250,000 suffered at Verdun during the entire war. In the end, the German advance fell short and the citadel of Verdun became the symbol of a bloody defensive victory.

Congress authorized a special gold medal honoring the sacrifice of the citizens of the French city of Verdun during World War I. The Commission of Fine Arts held a limited competition for medal designs in early 1920, and this medal is one of Paul Manship’s proposed designs.  The alternative design is titled "Defense of Verdun Medallion"; notice the American variant of the spelling of "defense".

The French phrase on the reverse translates to the famous slogan that became associated with the battle of Verdun: "They shall not pass!"

The spelling of "Defence" in the medallion's title is intentional and follows the lettering on the medal. For some reason Manship picked the British variant of "defense" for this medal.

The circular medal measures 103mm in diameter and was cast in bronze.

The medal's obverse bears running Naphtali, facing left, a deer jumping at his heels; sun at left.  At top left, NAPHTALI; signed and dated in exergue, © E. WEISTROP 1970

The reverse bears Star of David, symbols and names from all twelve medals. In center, THE / TWELVE / TRIBES OF / ISRAEL

Naphtali was Jacob's sixth son, the second he had with Bilah. It was Jacob's blessing that in Naphtali's land all fruits would ripen quickly and they would be brought as presents to kings and gain royal favor. Naphtali was swift as a deer to do the will of God and was a messenger for his father and the tribes. As the quote runs:

"Lo, here cometh Naphtali, the lovable, who proclaimeth peace."

This is the sixth medal in Elizabeth Weistrop's Twelve Tribes of Israel series. The circular medal measures 43mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintages are reported.

References:   MACo 1969-100-007, TToI 6