Medallic Art Company

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 medal's obverse bears bust of Frits Holm, facing right. Around, FRITS - HOLM; signed at bottom, ALBERT BRUCE-JOY FECIT MCMXXI

The reverse bears Chinese symbols around central field with beaded border. Inside, — DEN —  / HOLM · NESTORIANSKE / EXPEDITION TIL SANFV /SHENSI N · V · KINA / MCMVII · VIII / TIL MINDE

Frits Holm (1881-1930) was a Danish scholar and adventurer who is best known for the his 1907 attempt to "obtain" the famous Nestorian Stele, an ancient Christian monument in Xi'an, China.  When Chinese authorities learned of his expedition they moved the stele and he had an exact copy manufactured to not leave empty-handed.

The Metropolitan Museum of Fine Arts had the replica on loan for 10 years before George Leary, a wealthy New Yorker, bought it as a gift for the Pope.

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

Many thanks to Ben Burnham for his permission to use images from his eBay store.

References:   MACo 1922-017

The obverse bears a champion setter at attention under an Irish harp. Three clover leaves on each side. Around, IRISH SETTER CLUB OF AMERICA; over harp, signed LAURA GARDIN / SCULPTOR.

The reverse bears leash over dedication panel. Around, AFFECTION (*) COVRAGE (*) BEAVTY (*) INTELLIGENCE; in center, TO ENCOVRAGE / BREEDING AND / DEVELOP AND PERFECT / NATVRE'S CONTRIBVTION / TO A NOBLE RACE / AWARDED / TO.

This medal measures 76.3mm (3in) in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   Baxter 357, MACo 1919-007, Marqusee 170

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 navy soldier in fighting stance, gun leveled towards left and infantry soldier in similar stance, gun leveld towards right. In background, ocean with ship at left and land with building at right. Around, FOR GOD & COUNTRY; in exergue, SEMPER FIDELIS; signed between soldiers above exergue, (RTM monogram) / 22

The reverse bears American eagle over cartouche and American Legion seal. In cartouche, AMERICAN LEGION / SCHOOL AWARD / COURAGE HONOR SERVICE / LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

The American Legion was formed in February 1919 by three officers of the American Expeditionary Forces in Paris. Congress chartered the organization in September of the same year and the group became very influential, playing the leading role in drafting and passing the so-called "GI Bill."

The circular medal measures 75.6mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1922-044-01, Marqusee 261

The medal's obverse bears bust of Theodore Roosevelt, facinf right. At lower right, MDCCCLVIII/ MCMXIX· / ··; signed and dated above shoulder at left, J.E. / FRASER / 19©20

The reverse bears flaming crusader's sword. Around, ROOSEVELT · MEMORIAL · ASSOCIATION / MEDAL OF HONOR; across, IF I MVST - CHOOSE / BETWEEN - RIGHTEOVSNESS / AND PEACE - I CHOOSE / RIGHTEOUVSNESS

The Theodore Roosevelt Distinguished Service Medal was established by the Roosevelt Memorial Association in 1923 to honor outstanding service in fields reflecting the work and interests of Theodore Roosevelt.  The first medals were presented by the President at the White House. For many years thereafter, medals were awarded on Roosevelt's birthday, October 27th, at "Roosevelt House," a brownstone at 28 East 20th Stree in New York City.  Medals were awarded annually from 1923 to 1967, with exceptions for 1941 and 1944, and since 1967 on an occasional basis.

The circular medal measures 83mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York City. No mintage is reported.

Many thanks to Chris Bach for the write-up.

References:   Baxter 237, MACo 1923-002

The medal's obverse bears portrait of young William Penn, right. Around top, · THE · PENNSYLVANIA · SOCIRTY · / · FOUNDED · M·D·CMDCXLIV· / ·MDCCXVIII·; signed at left, DEC/M (JF monogram) CM/IX

The reverse bears three lines of text, TWENTY FIFTH DINNER / DECEMBER · XV / M · C · M · XXIII

The obverse is identical to the Pennsylvania Society's 1909 William Penn Medal.  The small medal measures 38.5mm in diameter and was struck in silver-plated metal by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1923-012, Marqusee 153

The medal's obverse bears polo pony with rider in gallop, right, rider facing backwards with polo stick raised above his head. Signed at left, LAVRA GARDIN / FRASER 1923

The reverse bears wreath around centerfield. Around edge, HORSE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA MEDAL / FOR THE BEST PLAYING POLO PONY ON EACH CLVB; engraved in centerfield, MITZI / OWNER / HOWARD S. NEILSON / CLVB / OX RIDGE HVNT CLVB / SEASON / 1925

This is yet another medal where Laura Gardon Fraser showed her talent for modeling horses and riders. In this case, the polo player is leaning backwards, possibly about to pull the horse around to reverse direction.

The circular medal measures 75.8mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1923-016

The obverse bears a Morgan horse in profile, facing left. Around, THE MORGAN HORSE CLVB; signed at left next to horse's chest, LAVRA GARDIN / FRASER 1923 / ©

The reverse bears mare with young colt facing right. Above, VERMONT; signed at bottom left, (LGF monogram) / 1923 / ©

The edge is marked MEDALLIC ART CO NY

The Morgan horse is one of the earliest horse breeds developed in the United States. Its foundation sire was named Figure, later Justin Morgan after his best-known owner. Morgans were used as coach horses, harness racing, general riding animals, and as cavalry horses during the Civil War.

This medal measures 75mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   Baxter 358, MACo 1923-017, Marqusee 173

The uniface medal bears profile of Drew as Petruchio, right. Around top, JOHN DREW; to left and right, MAR· - XXII; below, MDCCCLXXIII · MCMXXIII

Farnham was commissioned to create a gold plaque commemorating 50 years of stage work by famed American actor John Drew. The plaque was awarded to Drew at a glittering dinner in New York City on March 25, 1923. Farnham created a 2 1/2 inch companion medal for the 350 dinner guests that evening.

The circular uniface medall was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company. The location of the gold plaque is currently unknown.

Many thanks to the creator of sallyjamesfarnham.org for the image and associated information.

References:   MACo 1923-021