Medallic Art Collector's Selection

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 head of Native American in feathered head-dress facing left.

The reverse bears two leafy stalks flanking legend: SOUVENIR / PENNY / (star) / OF / BOSTON

This is a very large and beautiful "penny" about which I know next to nothing. The "Indian Head" pennies were struck until 1909 and had a design very similar to this on their obverse. There seems to be a wide variety of these Indian Head souvenir medals that pair the beautiful bust on the obverse with different inscriptions or designs on the reverse.  Any information on these medals would be appreciated.

The circular medal measures 74.5mm in diameter and appears to have been cast in a base medal and possibly silver-plated.

The medal's obverse bears three female figures representing Friendship, Love, and Truth, under masonic eye of providence. Old man at lower left is lent a helping hand while young woman at lower right holds up her baby begging for help. On streamer at bottom, FRIENDSHIP LOVE AND TRUTH

The reverse bears IO.OF / GRAND NATIONAL / CELEBRATION / OF THE / FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY / PHILADELPHIA / APRIL 23 1869

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows was founded on the North American Continent in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 26, 1819 when Thomas Wildey and four members of the Order from England instituted Washington Lodge No. 1. This lodge received its charter from Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows in England. At that time, the city was suffering both a yellow fever epidemic and mass unemployment so they dedicated the organization to "Visit the sick, relieve the distress, bury the dead and educate the orphans."

The circular medal measures 51mm in diameter.  No mintage is known.
 

References:   ANS 6

The medal's obverse bears buffalo on mound, palm tree and four female figures representing the three native American and colonial European cultures. In exergue, THE THREE AMERICAS; above exergue at right, PHILA.

The reverse bears wreath of corn, cotton and tobacco around legend. In center field, AWARDED BY / THE / NORTH CENTRAL / AND / SOUTH AMERICAN / EXPOSITION / 1885 - 86 / NEW ORLEANS.

This is a very handsome exposition medal. I find it particularly interesting how the design incorporates four figures instead of the more commonly expected three.  Thus the figures become representative of  culture rather than geography.

The circular medal measures 73.2mm in diameter. No mintage is known.

The medal's obverse shows two women, symbolising France and America, seated in an open boat, rowed by an angel wearing a phrygian bonnet (a symbol of the French Revolution). In the distance on the left is the Statue of Liberty. Around top, VNION · FRANCO · AMERICAINE / STATVE · COLOSS-ALE · DE · LA · LIBERTÉ · ECLAIRANT · LE · MONDE / 28 OCTOBRE / M.D.CCCLXXXVI; signed around lower left, O. Roty.

The reverse shows the shields of America and France resting on a laurel branch, with a profile portrait of Bartholdi, facing left, in a medallion between them.  Around, SOUVENIR · DE · L'INDEPENDANCE · AMERICAINE; across,  MONVMENT / ERIGÉ · PAR · LA · FRANCE / ET · L'AMERIQVE · EN · SOUVENIR / · DE · LEVR · ANCIENNE · AMITIÉ / 1776 - 1876; flanking cartouche at bottom, HAVTEVR · DE / LA · STATVE · 46'''8 - HAVTEVR · DV / PIÉDESTAL · 35'''

This medal commemorates the Franco-American Union, formed in 1875, which planned and ultimately brought about the creation of the Statue of Liberty. The statue was a gift of friendship from France to the U.S.A. in recognition of the friendship established between the two nations during the American Revolution.

The Union agreed that the monument would represent the work of both nations. The statue would be made by the French and transported to the U.S.A. and the Americans would build its pedestal. The sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi (1834-1904) started work immediately. The statue was dedicated on 28th October 1886.

The circular medal measures 68.8mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Paris Mint. No mintage is reported.

Parts of the description are from the Victoria and Albert Museum's record for this medal.

References:   Baxter 30, Marqusee 340

The obverse bears nude Columbia seated on winged car, holding palm frond in outstretched left and resting right on cornucopia; on left, rising sun over clouds; on right, clouds. At left above sun, 1892; signed at right with artist's letter V.

The reverse bears dedication: TO / Martin Roche / ONE OF THE DESIGNERS / OF THE WORLD'S / COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION / ON THE FOURHUNDREDTH / ANNIVERSARY / OF THE LANDING OF / COLUMBUS / OCTOBER 21 / 1892

Martin Roche was part owner of the famous architectural firm of "Holabird and Roche", one of the most prolific firms in Chicago. They are known for the Marquette Building, the neo-classical Soldier Field and the New South Wales Building of the Columbian Exposition. The firm was renamed after William Holabird and Martin Roche died and is now known as "Holabird and Root."

Elihu Vedder is famous and well known for his paintings, in particular his illustrations for "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam." He is less well known for his medallic work but this medal is a beautiful and rare example of his skill as a sculptor.

This medal exists in several variations and materials.  Vedder's obvese is combined with different dedications to honor designers, managers, and other high-ranking dignitaries of the Exposition.  All variations are quite rare.

The circular medal measures 64mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Whiting Manufacturing Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

The obverse bears nude Columbia seated on winged car, holding palm frond in outstretched left and resting right on cornucopia; on left, rising sun over clouds; on right, clouds. At left above sun, 1892; signed at right with artist's letter V.

The reverse bears dedication: TO / Thies J. Lefens / ONE OF THE DIRECTORS / OF THE WORLD'S / COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION / FROM ITS PRESIDENT / HARLOW N. HIGINBOTHAM / CHICAGO / 1893

Thies Jacob Lefens (1846-1913) was a Chicago-based real estate dealer and businessman. He was born in Hamburg and emigrated to the U.S. in 1863. After working in the produce commission business he joined the Conrad Seipp brewing company, where he eventually became secretary and treasurer.  He married into the Seipp family and entered the real estate business.

This medal exists in several variations and materials.  Vedder's design on the obvese is combined with different dedications to honor designers, architects, managers, and other high-ranking dignitaries of the Columbian Exposition.  All variations are quite rare.

The circular medal measures 64mm in diameter and was struck in silver. No mintage is reported.

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