Calendar Medals

References:   MACo 1984-115, Cal MA-1983-2

The medal's obverse bears four tractors arrayed around the John Deere logo in the center. At top, John Deere's last 2-cylinder tracter, the model 830; at left, the 6-cylinder model 4010 which arrived in 1960; at right, a model 4630 that was introduced in the 1970s; finally, at the bottom, a 50 series tractor that was introduced in 1982.

The reverse bears calendar panel inscribed into tractor's front, lights and logo above, large tractor tires to both sides. At bottom, 1983.

The medal is not signed and Dick Johnson's reference does not list it.  The most likely candidates for the artist(s) who worked on them are Gladys Gunzer and David Castruccio, who worked on other Deere medals in the 1980s, but I can't attribute them for sure.  Any information confirming or rejecting my speculations would be welcome.

The John Deere Calendar medals were distributed by the Lee Wayne Company.

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:   Cal JD-1983

The medal's obverse bears two wheel spokes dividing the medal into four equal segments, each with a different iconic American automobile, including a Ford Model T and an Army Jeep.

The reverse bears calendar panel inscribed into frontal view of antique, crank-started car; 1983 in license plate; signed in hood label, JOV

The circular medal measures 76.2mm in diameter and was struck in various materials by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut. No mintages are rported and I am merely speculating that there was a variant struck in silver.

References:   MACo 1981-203, Cal MA-1983

The medal's obverse bears laughing putto in front of stern, winged Father Time with hour glass and scythe, surrounded by moon and stars. Signed at lower left, (CS monogram)

The reverse bears calendar panel in center, framed by Father Time at left and putto at right; symbols of time, including clock face, hour glass, sun, planets, stars, scythe below. At top, 1983 on banner.

The circular medal measures 76.1mm in diameter and was struck in gold-plated bronze by the Franklin Mint. No mintage is reported.

References:   Cal FM-1983

The medal's obverse bears portrait of Julius Caesar, facing left.  Around top, CAESARS; around bottom, BOARDWALK REGENCY ‧ HOTEL ‧ CASINO

The reverse bears calendar panel surrounded by tree branches in the four seasons of the year. Below, 1983.

The circular medal measures 76.2mm in diameter and was struck in various materials by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut. No mintages are reported.

References:   Cal CP-1983

The medal's obverse bears a pod of dolphins leaping from ocean wave. Signed at bottom, EVERHART II

The reverse bears calendar panel flanked by dolphins. Above, 1984.

The circular medal measures 76.2mm in diameter and was struck in various materials by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut. No mintages are reported.

References:   Cal MA-1984

References:   Cal MH-1984

The medal's obverse bears historical trademark of stag leaping over log, radiant background pattern. As part of trademark design, JOHN DEERE / MOLINE, ILL.; on log, TRADEMARK; on small panel below, HISTORICAL TRADEMARK / 1876

The reverse bears calendar panel on stylized front view of tractor's cooler grill with John Deere logo above; large profile wheels to each side. In exergue, 1984

John Deere is the brand name of Deere & Company. The company grew from a blacksmith shop in Grand Detour, Illinois, which Deere had opened in 1837 after escaping bankruptcy in his hometown of Rutland, Vermont. He invented the steel plow, solving the problem of the rich, fertile Midwestern soil sticking to iron plowshares, which forced the farmers to stop frequently to clean them. The company grew quickly and in 1853 his son Charles joined him in the business.

The company logo that is on the medal's obverse was used between 1876 and 1912, coinciding roughly with Charles Deere's reign of the company. He died in 1907 and was succeeded by his son-in-law William Butterworth.

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:   Cal JD-1984

The medal's obverse bears portrait of Julius Caesar, facing left.  Around top, CAESARS; around bottom, BOARDWALK REGENCY ‧ HOTEL ‧ CASINO

The reverse bears calendar panel flanked by dolphins. Above, 1984.

This medal mules Don Everhart's reverse from the "Dance of the Dolphins" calendar medal with a new obverse to create a promotional medal for the Caesar's Palace Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas. 

The circular medal measures 76.2mm in diameter and was struck in various materials by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut. No mintages are reported.

References:   Cal CP-1984

References:   Cal FM-1984