All Medals

The medal's obverse depicts factory floor scene with two workers operating a casting furnace.  Around, · 1899 - FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY - 1949 ·  / CHICAGO MALLEABLE CASTINGS COMPANY

The medal's reverse bears vertical line of laurel leaves at left. Across, 50TH ANNIVERSARY / (five stars) / FIFTY YEARS IN / A SINCERE EFFORT / TO GIVE COMPLETE / SATISFACTION BY / IMPROVING OUR / PRODUCTS AND / BETTERNG OUR / SERVICE.

References:   MACo 1949-002

References:   BG 32

The medal's obverse bears barefoot, aproned metalworker, holding chasing hammer and graver, kneeling on dais in dynamic pose, facing right; anvil to his left. Around top, THE ROBBINS COMPANY; on dais, CRAFTSMEN / IN METAL

The reverse bears legend flanked by laurel branches: COMPLIMENTS / OF / THE ROBBINS CO. / ATTLEBORO / MASSACHUSETTS / ADVERTISING SPECIALTIES / BADGES - SOUVENIRS / ~ MEDALS ~ / COLLEGE AND SCHOOL / JEWELRY

Medals or plaquettes made to showcase and advertise a maker's services were called "storecards" and quite common in the first half of the 20th century. This is probably the nicest storecard  in my posession and it is full of ambiguity.  The young metal worker appears to be kneeling in revery, but in a pose that could also be seen as a dynamic leap. His left hand holding the graver is held out straight whereas the right hand holding the chasing hammer dangles relaxed behind him. I find myself intrigued by the design.

The circular medal measures 79.3mm in diameter and was strucki n bronze by the Robbins Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts. Neither artist nor mintage or date are known to me and I would appreciate any additional information.

The medal's obverse bears likeness of Martin Luther King Jr. facing quarter left. Around top, MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.; around bottom, 1929 - 1968; signed on truncation at right, ABR. B.

The reverse bears two male figures holding a scroll and a book with arms on each other's shoulders. spread eagle and star behind them. Around top, I HAVE A DREAM; in exergue, PEACE JUSTICE / BROTHERHOOD

Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) was a Baptist minister who became the most visible spokesperson for the civil rights movement from 1954 until his assassination in 1968. He won the Nobel Peace Prize on 1964 for his message of racial equality and nonviolent resistance. He was also posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.

"I have a dream" on the medal's reverse refers to one of his most famous speeches that he delivers in 1963 during the March on Washington.

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

References:   MACo 1968-056

The medal's obverse bears the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, depicting Zeus seated on a throne, holding a scepter in his left hand and a figure of Victory; priests at his feet provide a measure of scale.

The reverse bears calendar panel in three columns surrounded by twelve scenes depicting Heracles' Labors. At top of middle panel, 2001

Heracles was Zeus' mortal son who is said to have established the Olympic Games to honor his father. Heracles' Twelve Labors are a series of episodes concerning a penance carried out by Heracles, the greatest of the Greek heroes, whose name was later Romanised as Hercules. They were accomplished over 12 years at the service of King Eurystheus.

The medals were originally offered for a price of $34.95 per bronze piece and $169.00 per silver piece.

The circular medal measures 76.3mm in diameter and was struck in antiqued bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company of Dayon, Nevada. No mintages are reported.

References:   Cal MA-2001

The medal's obverse bears busts of Roosevelt and Alves, slight left. Around, PRES. THEOD. ROOSEVELT / U·S·AMERICA -  : 1906 : - PRES. RODRIGUES ALVES / E·U·BRAZIL; signed at right, (EL monogram)

The reverse bears legend, TERCEIRA / CONFERENCIA / INTERNACIONAL / AMERICANA / RIO DE JANEIRO / BRAZIL / 1906

James G. Blaine, a United States politician, Secretary of State and presidential contender, first proposed establishment of closer ties between the United States and its southern neighbors and proposed international conferences to further that goal. Blaine hoped that ties between the United States and its southern counterparts would open Latin American markets to US trade and prevent European nations from meddling in the Americas.

The Second Pan-American Conference in Mexico had created the Pan-American Railway Committee and tasked it with the creation of a railway connecting the various American republics. Their initial report was presented at this conference and further, more detailed planning took place.

The circular medal measures 45mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. No mintage is reported.

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 medal's obverse depicts standing Liberty with flag and shield bearing American Eagle.  Around, THAT THE WORLD MIGHT BE SAFE FOR DEMOCRACY

The medal's reverse bears sword and laurels with superimposed cartouche.  Around, ∙ SONS ∙ OF ∙ MOUNT ∙ KISCO ∙ NEW ∙ YORK ∙ / 1917 - 1919; across top of cartouche, WORLD WAR; at bottom left, GORHAM CO.

I have not been able to identify this medal's artist or story and would appreciate any information regarding it.

The medal measures 50.7mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Gorham Company of Rhode Island. No mintage is reported.