Presidential Coin & Antiques, Inc., Auction 86

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H142
OTHER U.S. MINT MEDALS
1028. UNOFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE MEDAL, CA. 1970. .
White Metal. Edgar Zell Steever, Sc. Proof. Obv: THE WHITE
HOUSE above a front view of the Presidential Mansion. Signed
EZS at right. Rx: The Seal of the President of the United
States.
According to our consignor, approximately 500 of these medals
were struck in coin silver at the U.S. Mint on the order of Mary
Brooks, then Director of the Mint. They were to be a gift to the
wives of U.S. Senators and Congressmen. After striking, it was
determined that they were struck without proper authorization
and Ms. Brooks was required to pay for them out of her own
pocket.. This is the first of these medals that we have seen. We
sold the only example known to us at auction in 1997 for $157.50.
This is the first of these piece struck in a base metal that we have
seen. (E)
1029. COLORADO CENTENNIAL - U.S. BICENTENNIAL MEDAL,
1976. Turner 41; Swoger 53Ic; Dean D 1976-1d. 33.8mm. Gold
Plated Bronze. Edgar Steever & Frank Gasparro, Sc, BU. The
obverse bears a rider on horseback and in buckskins looking
in the distance at a vista of mountains and valleys. At top left:
COLORADO/ LAND/ OF PROMISE. The reverse bears the ‘76
logo against a backdrop of mountains. COLORADO is inscribed
within the numeral “7” and USA within the numeral “6”. The
legend around reads; 1876 - 1976 CENTENNIAL. 5,000 were
struck gold plated and issued for $15.00. (C)
MEDALS FROM THE SOCIETY
OF MEDALISTS
Since 1930, when it was founded, until 1995, the
Society of Medalists has issued two medals per year to its members.
The list of sculptors contributing to the series reads like a Who’s Who
of the American sculptors’ community. The series contains some of the
finest art medals ever produced in this country. Of course, each medal
was struck by the Medallic Art Company, the premier producers of
American medallic art.
The Medal Collectors of American have an online guide to this
series where color scans of each medal are available. (http://www.
)
This series (along with the Circle of the Friends of the Medallion)
has been meticulously cataloged by David Alexander is his book,
American Art Medals, 1909-1995.
1030. SOM #1, 1930. Alexander SOM 1.1. 72.4mm. Bronze. Laura
Gardin Fraser, Sc. Choice Unc. Obv: Hunter & Dog. Rx: Ruffled
grouse. 3,235 struck. (F)
1031. SOM #3, 1931. HOPI PRAYER FOR RAIN. SOM 3.2. 70.2 x
73.9mm. Slightly oval. Hermon MacNeil, Sc. Unc. With the number
“252” very lightly etched into the rim at 5:00. This has no visual
effect when viewing the medal in display mode. Obv: Indian Prayer
for Rain. Rx: Hopi Indian Dance. 1,713 struck. (E)
1032. CHARLES LINDBERGH SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS ISSUE #4,
1931. SOM 4.1 , 72.5mm. .999 Silver. Frederick MacMonnies,
Sc. (MACO). Edge marked: THE SOCIETY OF MEDALLISTS
FOURTH ISSUE MEDALLIC ART CO. N,.Y, FINE SILVER.
Choice Uncirculated. Obverse portrait of Lindbergh wearing
flyer’s goggles and hat. The reverse is described by the artist
as “an allegory of the Lone Eagle battling through the perverse
elements of storm, wind and fog. The figure of Death as King,
Life’s ever-present tyrant, sure of his final triumph, retreats foiled
and defeated. The wind tries in vain to raise a barrier against the
spread and trembling wings, while the insane fury of the storm
hurls lightning and veils the moon and stars in mist and rain, but
the Lone Eagle goes on.”
In 1973, the Society of Medalists decided to strike all new issues in
.999 silver as well as Bronze. The first 40 issues were also struck
in silver and offered anew to Society members. The edition limit
was set at 700. This new marketing venture was not as successful
as anticipated with the result that silver strikings were discontinued
in 1980. A mere 250 medals were struck in silver. (H)
1033. AS ABOVE. But struck in gilt bronze. SOM 4.1. Choice Unc.
Original pamphlet. (G)
1034. SOM #5, 1932. SOM 5.1. 73.6mm. Bronze. Lee Lawrie, Sc.
Choice Unc. Original box & pamphlet. Obv: Whatsoever Man
Soeth. Rx: He Shall Also Reap. 1,617 struck. (D)
1035. SOM #10, 1934. A-10.1 73.4mm. Bronze. Albert Laessle, Sc. Unc.
Obv: American turkey. Rx: Abundance, corn stalk. 1,021 struck.
(D)
1036. SOM #11, 1935. SOM 11.2 . 73mm. Bronze. Dark Brown patina.
Lorado Taft, Sc. Nice AU. Obv: Female head representing the
Great Lakes. Rx: 5 daughters of Danaides representing the 5
lakes. 1.025 struck. (F)
1037. SOM #16, 1937. FATHERS AND SONS – PEACE AND WAR.
A-16.1. 73.3mm. Bronze. Chester Beach, Sc. Unc. Obv: In Peace,
Sons Bury Their Fathers. Rx: In War, Fathers Bury Their Sons.
Original pamphlet. (E)
1038. SOM #19, 1939. OLD WORLD – NEW WORLD. SOM 19.1.
73mm. Bronze. Edward McCartan, Sc. Nice AU. Obv: The New
Lot 1031 (reduced)
Lot 1032 (reduced)