All Medals

The medal's obverse depicts various refinery operations with a worker in the foreground. Around, TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE HUMBLE OIL & REFINING COMPANY COMMEMORATING THEIR / PRODUCTION OF ONE BILLION GALLONS OF 100 OCTANE GASOLINE AT BAYTOWN REFINERY; below, DECEMBER 14, 1944 / HOUSTON, TEXAS

The reverse bears three flying fortresses dropping bombs. In lower half of field, YOUR ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCING A BILLION GALLONS OF / 100 OCTANE GASOLINE HAS GREATLY CONTRIBUTED TO / THE GAINING OF AIR SUPREMACY OVER OUR ENEMIES / (signature of General H H Arnold) / GENERAL U.S. ARMY / COMMANDING GENERAL ARMY AIR FORCES

On December 14, 1945 the 14,000 employees of Humble Oil & Refining Company were honored at a ceremony celebrating the manufacture of a billion gallons of finished 100 Octane Aviation Gasoline at the company's Baytown refinery. A medal was commissioned to commemorate the event and Chambellan was chosen to design and model it.

The medal measures 62mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1944-012

The obverse bears angel of peace (or victory) in center, U.S. infantrymen to left, navy gunner to right. Signed at lower right, S.

The reverse bears heraldic symbols of the victorios Entente nations above Gridiron Club symbol. Below, THIRTY - FOURTH / ANNUAL PEACE DINNER / THE GRIDIRON CLUB / WASHINGTON D.C. / DEC. 13. 1919.

The Gridiron Club, founded in 1885, is the oldest journalistic organization in Washington, D.C. The club is best known for its annual dinner which traditionally features the United States Marine Band, along with satirical musical skits by the members and remarks by the President of the United States and representatives of each political party. The skits and speeches by various politicians are expected to be self-deprecating or otherwise sharply comedic. Since its inception, every President except Grover Cleveland has spoken at the dinner.

The thirtyfourth annual dinner held on December 13, 1919 was called the "Peace Dinner" to celebrate the end of World War I and the beginning of a long lasting peace after "the war to end all wars" had come to an end. Woodrow Wilson used his speech to thank the nation for its efforts and to chart out the future of international relations.

The medal measures 70mm in diameter and was struck by the U.S. Mint.

The medal's obverse bears spread eagle on American shield over crossed raquets and balls, oak and laurel branches flanking to left and right. Around, UNITED STATES LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION / · ANNIVERSARY MEDAL · ; above eagle, GOLDEN / JUBILEE; under shield, 1881 - 1931

The reverse bears WINNER / CHAMPIONSHIP / 1931 within thin wreath. Incribed dedication, PRESENTED TO / MISS JESSIE KERSHAW / BY THE MEMBER CLUBS OF THE / PACIFIC NORTHWEST LAWN TENNIS / ASSOCIATION IN GRATEFUL RECOGNITION / OF HER LONG AND UNSELFISH / DEVOTION AND SERVICES TO THE / GAME AND ITS PLAYERS / AUGUST - 3 / 1931

This medal's obverse bears the seal of New York City. Around, · INTERNATIONAL ···· PHILATELIC · EXHIBITION · NEW · YORK · / MCMXIII; signed over roman year numerals, MAX BACHMANN.

The reverse bears a palm frond at left. On right side, AWARDED / TO / (cartouche) / FOR / (cartouche) / MCMXIII

Max Bachman also created a souvenir medal for the Exhibition's official banquet which was held on October 30, 1913. It shares this medal's obverse but has a different legend on the reverse.

The circular medals measure 41mm in diameter. I have seen both a silver and a gold award medal from this event.  I assume that bronzes were struck as well but I do not know this for sure. No mintages are reprorted.

The obverse bears bust of Dante Alighieri facing right. Around top, AMERICAN SONS OF ITALY; around bottom, "VINCA · TUA · GUARDIA · I · MOVIMENTI · UMANI!"; to left and right of bust, 1265 - 1321

The reverse bears laurel and oak branches around central field. Around top, SONS OF ITALY GRAND LODGE; around bottom, STATE OF - NEW YORK; in central field, FOR EXCELLENCE IN ITALIAN / TO / ANGELINA GUARDINA

The Order of the Sons of Italy is the largest and oldest national organization for men and women of Italian heritage in the United States. It was founded on June 22, 1905 by Dr. Vincenzo Sellaro to help assimilate Italians into American society during the immigration boom of the early 20th century. In 1928 Dr. Sellaro was given the key to the City of New York in recognition of his social and medical achievements.

1921 was the 600th anniversary of Dante Alighieri's death and the medal celebrates both the poet and the Italian language. It was awarded to young students for excellence in Italian. The Italian quote on the obverse is from the 33rd Canto of Dante's Divine Comedy and translates to:

"May your protection curb his mortal passions!"

The medal measures 68.9mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

References:   MACo 1921-080

The obverse bears bust-length profile image of soldier wearing helmet. Signed below bust, DCF.

The reverse bears image of nurse attending injured soldier depicted within cross. Above, THE AMERICAN RED CROSS; to left and right of vertical bar of cross, TO COMMEMORATE - THE VISION AND / ACHIEVEMENT OF - THE WAR COUNCIL / 1917 - 1919; signed below cross, WHL / DCF.

The medal is numbered and contains the maker's mark MEDALLIC ART CO. NY.

This medal was the 42nd issue of the American Numismatic Society. It was co-issued with the American Red Cross in 1920. Daniel Chester French designed it and the Medallic Art Company executed it. The initials of Reverend William H. Low in the medal's reverse were included due to his suggestion that the the nurse stand in front of the bed.

The medal was awarded to twelve New York businessmen who volunteered for the War Council of the American Red Cross. As the Red Cross Bulletin Vol. IV No. 51 (December 13, 1920) states:

"The General Board also presented to the four members of the Wat Council who were present the special Daniel Chester French medal, authorized at its last meeting in recognition of their war service. These were Eli Wadsworth, Cornelius N. Bliss Jr., George E. Scott and Charles D. Norton. The eight other members of the War Council who will receive their medal are Henry P. Davison, chairman; William Howard Taft, George B. Case, Jesse H. Jones, Edward N. Hurley, John D. Ryan, Grayson M., P. Murphy, and Harvey D. Gibson."

The medal measures 70mm (2.75in) and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The reported mintage is 12 pieces in gold, 4 in silver and 205 in bronze.

Many thanks to the Yale University Art Gallery for permission to use the images of the bronze variant.

References:   ANS 42, Baxter 327, MACo 1920-017, Marqusee 176

The medal's obverse bears bust of Choate left. Around left edge, CHOATE; at lower right, signed H. A.

The reverse bears oil lamp of Century Association above, surrounded by C - A; circled ANS oak leaves below; laurels around. In center field, JOSEPH HODGES CHOATE / 1832 - 1917 / PATRIOT / AMBASSADOR / JURIST / ORATOR

Joseph Hodges Choate, born in Salem, Massachusetts, was a famous lawyer who litigated many of the most prominent cases in the late 19th century. He allied himself with the Republican Party and was a frequent campaign orator. In 1894 he was president of the New York State constitutional convention. In 1899 he was appointed ambassador to England by President McKinley and held that position until 1905. When World War I broke out he became a fervent supporter of the Allied cause. His death in 1917 was hastened by the physical strain of supporting the British and French commissions in New York.

Herbert Adams was a personal friend of Joseph Choate.

This medal was co-issued by the Century Association and the American Numismatic Society (ANS) in 1922. It was the 44th medal issued by the ANS. It was also the first in a series of medals commemorating men who distinguished themselves in public service.

The medal measures 64mm (2.5in) in diameter. The Medallic Art Company of New York struck 238 pieces in bronze and 98 in silver. Originally the bronze pieces were available for $5 and the silver pieces for $10.

References:   ANS 44, Baxter 224, MACo 1922-022, Marqusee 2

The medal's obverse bears bust of Abraham Lincoln facing right. Around, ABRAHAM LINCOLN PRESIDENT UNITED STATES.; signed under truncation, BARBER

The reverse bears stylized wreath with legend, MARCH 4. 1861 / TO / APRIL 15. 1865. / EMANCIPATION / PROCLAIMED / JAN. 1. 1863.; in exergue, MEDAL SERIES OF THE / U.S. MINT. / J. POLLOCK - 1871-  DIRECTOR

This handsome medal can be seen as an expression of gratitude from Mint director James Pollock to his friend Abraham Lincoln.  Not only did they serve in Congress together, but they also boarded at the same boardinghouse!  When Pollock retired from Congress, Lincoln appointed him Director of the U.S. Mint.

The circular medal measures 45mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the U.S. Mint in the years between 1871 and 1904. A total of 363 pieces were struck in that period,155 of them in 1872 alone. The medal is usually identified as Julian CM-16.

Most of the information on this medal came from John Kraljevich's  website.

The medal's obverse bears two male golf players shaking hands over a hole, globe centered on North America in background. In exergue, CANADA CUP; signed above exergue at feet of right player, R·A·W

The medal's reverse bears wreath with streamers. Around, INTERNATIONAL GOLF TROPHY / TEAM MEMBER / PRESENTED BY / JOHN JAY HOPKINS

John Jay Hopkins (1893-1957) was the founder and first president of General Dynamics.  He created the golf World Cup, which began as the Canada Cup in 1953.  He also donated the trophy for the event.

References:   MACo 1953-031