All Medals

The medal bears laurel-crowned male figure grabbing a suspended ring with pommel horse and high bar in background. At bottom, PASADENA / NATIONAL INV. / GYMNASTICS; down right side, 1 9 5 1; signed at lower right, (DW monogram)

The reverse is stamped: 2ND PLACE / ROPE / CLIMB; engraved to: MIRROR BRIGHT POLISH / DONOR

The National Invitational Gymnastics Competition was a collegiate competition for male students. They competed in the modern male gymnastics disciplines as well as in rope climbing.

The circular medal measures 57.4mm in diameter. I do not have any information about the artst represented by hs/her initials DW or the mint that struck this medal.  Any information would be welcome.

The medal's obverse bears two conjoined busts of make and female Salvation Army soldiers, l., looking upwards. Below on streamer, THE SALVATION ARMY; signed under female, RAW

The reverse shows the globe's two hemispheres. Across, THE SALVATION ARMY / · · SERVES GOD · · / THROUGHOUT THE WORLD / BY HELPING PEOPLE / "HITHERTO / HATH THE LORD / HELPED US" / 1 SAMUEL 7:12

The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 in London by one-time Methodist circuit-preacher William Booth and his wife Catherine as the East London Christian Mission. In 1878 Booth reorganised the mission, becoming its first General and introducing the military structure which has been retained to the present day. In the U.S., the Salvation Army is recognized as a church and the second largest charity, with private donations of almost $2 billion for the fiscal year ending 30 September 2007.

This medal celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Salvation Army's founding in London.

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

References:   MACo 1964-012

The medal's obverse bears the university's coat of arms. Above and below, UNIVERSITY / OF / PENNSYLVANIA; to left and right, 1740 - 1940; in streamer across, LEGES - SINE MORIBUS - VANAE

The reverse bears a herm crowned by wo heads, oil lamp to left, light bulb on right. On both sides, TEMP- / ORIS LUX - ILLUSTRET / ACTI - POSTERITATIS / VIAM; in exergue, © / (RTM monogram) / 1938

R. Tait McKenzie designed this medal before his death in 1938.  The dies were created in 1939 and used to commemorate a 1940 event celebrating the 200th anniversary of the university.

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

References:   MACo 1939-004

References:   MACo GF265M

The medal's obverse bears busts of Martin L. Beistle, Henry E. Luhrs and J.S. Omwake. Around top, M.L. BEISTLE FOUNRER. H.E.LUHRS BUILDER. J.S. OMWAKE INCORPORATOR.; in exergue, THE BEISTLE COMPANY / FIFTIETH - ANNIVERSARY / 1900-1950

The medal's reverse bears selection of company's products, including toys and combed tissue decorations. In center field, TO FRIENDS OF / THE BEISTLE COMPANY / IN APPRECIATION OF YOUR / LOYALTY AND SUPPORT / WHICH MADE POSSIBLE OUR / FIFTY YEARS / OF SERVICE AND GROWTH / 1900 - 1950

The Beistle Company was founded in 1900 by Martin Luther Beistle.  Working in the basement of his home near Pittsburgh, he produced small imprints and calendars. The company still exists today.

The circular medal was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

References:   MACo 1948-002

The medal's obverse bears one of Columbus' ships mirrored on a raised globe. At left, 1492; below, Voyage of Columbus; signed at right, M D

The medal's reverse bears American Eagle, hovering over globe. At right, 1992; below, The American Numismatic Society

This medal proved to be a financial disappointment for the ANS.  Sales lagged, probably due to the the fact that Columbus had become a controversial figure over the course of the last 100 years. Instead of the popular hero who discovered a continent he was now widely seen as a symbol of Euro-centric history and colonialism.  This is truly a shame because the medal is quite beautiful and would have deserved wider acclaim.

The square medal measures 68mm x 68mm and was struck by J. Jenkins Sons of Baltimore. The mintage is reported as 2 pieces in gold, 100 in silver and 500 in bronze.

References:   ANS 57

The medal's obverse bears a fish, a schooner under full sail and a sea gull in flight. Around edge, GLOUCESTER MASSACHUSETTS; signed under fish, G. Aarons 1973

The medal's reverse bears painter's palette with brushes, writer's book, and sculptor's mallet. Around top, 350TH ANNIVERSARY; at bottom, 1623 - 1973

Gloucester is a coastal city on Cape Ann in Essex County, Massachusetts. That beautiful part of Massachusetts has traditionally attracted artists who had their summer studios there or lived there year round. Aarons was no exception to this trend. For many years he had studios in Brookline and Gloucester and, as a long-time resident, was honored with the task of creating the commemorative town medal that combines the coastal and artistic elements of the community.

The medal measures 38.1mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company.

Many thanks to Fred Beihl (www.StewartstownCoinShop.com, 717-993-3163) who sent me the images and measurements.

References:   MACo 1972-099

The medal's obverse bears a standing boy scout in 1940s uniform signaling with flags and a kneeling scout with binoculars. Around, BUILDING TOWARD UNITY / YOUTH OF THE SCOUT WORLD; to lower left, lamp on stack of books; below, KG monogram ©.

The reverse bears a defiant eagle striding left over chains.

Karl Gruppe wrote in the brochure accompanying the medal:

"As this medal is issued, the threat of war is still upon us. The theme I have chosen is not peace but 'Building Toward Unity.' [...] The reverse shows an eagle freeing himself from chains of bondage. A symbol of America to Americans, a symbol of freedom to to people of other lands."

This medal was chosen as the 46th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1952.

The circular medal measures 73mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company of New York. Its reported mintage is 762 pieces in bronze and an unknown number of pieces (from an edition limited to 700) in silver.  This is also one of the medals that had one side, in this case the reverse, used in a uniface medal produced by Towle, Inc.

References:   MACo 1930-001-046, SoM 46