The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 15, April 15, 2007, Article 9

INFORMATION SOUGHT ON HERALDIC ART MEDALS 1959-1976

Rich Hartzog writes: "William Swoger of Michigan is finishing his
book on Heraldic Art Medals and requests the following information.
He is seeking the original issue price for the gold issues (#1 to 7,
1959-61), and the silver Special Issues of the Heraldic Art Medals,
1961-1976:

Dag Hammarsksjold
John Glenn
John Fitzgerald
Herbert Hoover
Adlai Stevenson
Dwight Eisenhower
American Bicentennial

"Anyone with any original literature, or contemporary articles
should contact me at hartzog@exonumia.com, as Swoger does not
currently have email access."

[A web page on Rich's exonomia.com web site has a good deal of
information about the Heraldic Art medals series. A short excerpt
appears below. -Editor]

"In 1954 the U.S. ceased making commemorative coins because of
abuses perpetrated by Congress and the sponsors of these coins.
Commemorative coins would not be struck again until the U.S.
bicentennial, and then not again until 1982.  Robert McNamara
recognized the dilemma that this policy produced as there were
many events in our history that were worthy of being recognized
and celebrated within the scope of our national commemorative
coin program.

"In 1959, Robert  began the issuance of commemorative medals, the
size and weight of our half-dollar and with reeded edges and exact
weight (192 grains) but a higher fineness (.925 silver as opposed
to .900 fine), to replicate as close as possible, the U.S. half-dollar.
The U.S. treasury was alerted to this effort and informed Bob that
he would have to make some change to his medals so that they would
not pass as half dollars in machines.  His answer was to add 70
extra grains of sterling silver to the weight of each medal.

"Now, without the encumbrances of Congressional legislation, (he
did not have to include a denomination, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”,
“IN GOD WE TRUST”, “LIBERTY” or “E PLURIBUS UNUM” on any of his medals),
he proceeded to strike three different medals each year and continued
the program through 1978, making 60 different lovely medals over
the 20-year period"

To read the complete article, see: Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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