Medallic Art Collector's Selection

The medal's obverse bears young woman, r., holding staff with furled American flag. Around, FOR GOD AND COUNTRY / SEMPER / FIDELIS; signed and dated to left of woman, (RTM monogram) / 1925 / ©

The reverse bears American eagle over cartouche and American Legion seal. In cartouche, AMERICAN LEGION / SCHOOL AWARD / COURAGE CHARACTER SERVICE / COMPANIONSHIP 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 63.4mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1925-046

This medal's obverse bears nude male figure restraining rearing winged steed. Signed at right above exergue, (RCW monogram)

The medal's reverse bears facade of Brown & Bigelow building. At top of building, THE HOVSE OF QVALITY / BROWN & BIGELOW; zodiac symbols all around. Signed in exergue, RCWAKEMAN

The edge is marked with MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y. BRONZE

The Allied Artists of America, Inc., as it is now known, was founded in New York City in the year 1914. The twelve original founders were Ernest Albert, Paul Cornoyer, Marshal Fry, Edmund Greacen, Arthur Powell, Walter C. Hartson, William R. Leigh, Frederick Mulhaupt, G. Glenn Newell, H. Ledyard Towle, H. A. Vincent and Jules Turcas. Its goal is to further the cause of contemporary American artists through its Annual National Open Exhibition in New York City, open to all members and non- members, demonstrations, lectures, awards at the Annual, slide program, a newsletter mentioning all activities of the Members and Associate Members and other cultural activities.

I am not quite sure how Brown & Bigelow came to be commemorated on the medal's reverse, but they likely were a big financial supporter of the organization or possibly underwrote the medal's production. The earliest reference to a Brown and Bigelow Award Medal that I could find dates to 1929.

The medal measures 63mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and gold by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1925-042

References:   ANS 46, Baxter 353, Marqusee 252

The medal's obverse bears woman seated at pedal-driven spinning wheel, Beacon Hill skyline in background. Around top, BOSTON · CHAMBER · OF · COMMERCE; in exergue,  · ART ·  - · IN · INDUSTRY · / · MEDAL · - OF · AWARD · ; signed to right of pedal, RAYMOND · A · /PORTER · SC · / 1926

The medal's reverse is left empty for award dedication.

The medal was struck in bronze by the Gorham Company of Providence, Rhode Island.

The medal's obverse bears a muscular male figure carrying an unconscious female figure in both arms. Signed above exergue at right, J. Juszko

The medal's reverse bears tree with legend across:  THE BRITTON - I. BUDD / MEDAL - FOR THE / SAVING OF / HUMAN LIFE; in cartouche below, inscribed to EMMETT McSHANE

Britton I. Budd (1871-1965) was dubbed the "electric railroad magnate" of Chicago.  He was Samuel Insull's right-hand man and very good at running transportation and infrastructure companies.

The medal was first awarded in 1926 but I have found newspaper articles from as late as 1952 that mention the award. 

Emmett McShane was a resident of Waukegan, Illinois, and received his award in 1928.  I could not ascertain the act of valor that caused him to receive this medal.

The circular medal measures 89mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

References:   MACo 1926-025

The medal's obverse bears an eagle standing guard over nest with two eggs in front of Independence Hall and rising sun. Signed, ALBERT LAESSLE.

The reverse bears a laurel wreath around central field with rising sun and legend MEDAL OF AWARD. Around, SESQUICENTENNIAL - INTERNATIONAL - EXPOSITION - PHILADELPHIA / 1776 - 1926.

Leassle designed this medal for an exposition on his "home turf" in Philadelphia. He was justly awarded with his own medal in gold.

The circular medal measures 76mm in diameter and was struck by Baily Banks & Biddle Co., Philadelphia. No mintage is reported.

References:   Marqusee 235

The medal's obverse bears portrait of young Lindbergh, slight right, before sea and sky, sun setting at left. Around upper right, C * LINDBERGH *; across, NEW · YORK - · TO PARIS · IN · / · 33½ HOURS · / MAY 20 · 21 / · 1927 · ; signed above left shoulder, © H

The reverse bears airplane over sea and setting sun, flanked by wings emanating from shell at bottom center. Around top, · · NEW · YORK · TO · PARIS · ; at bottom, · · · c 1927 H · ·

This is one of the more beautiful Lindbergh commemorative medals.  Hinton shows his soft touch in a portrait that reflects both youth and boundless optimism.

The medal measures 70mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver. No mintages are reported though I have only encountered the small bronze and the silver medal once, so they appear to be rarer than the large bronze.

References:   MACo 1932-014, Marqusee 205

The medal's obverse bears kneeling female representing Friendliness, with arms outstretched at aerial view of fair grounds. Around, incuse, PACIFIC SOUTHWEST EXPOSITION / LONG BEACH CALIFORNIA 1928; in exergue, FRIENDLINESS;

The reverse bears art-deco styled winged female wearing Victory crown and holding blank cartouche for inscription. Signed at lower left, R. N. Burnham

The circular medal measures 50.8mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1928-031

References:   MACo 1928-032