The E-Sylum:  Volume 7, Number 45, November 7, 2004, Article 14

FACTS ON THE BRENNER HANEY MEDAL

  Dick Johnson writes: "The Brenner Haney Medal has gone
  through many varieties over the years. Originally established
  in 1909 the Haney Medal was first struck by Robert Stoll
  of New York City. This was the firm Victor Brenner first
  worked for as a hand engraver when he came to this country
  in 1889 and employed by Stoll by 1892. Whether Brenner
  brought this job to Stoll in 1909 or it came to Stoll who
  commissioned Brenner we do not know. However Brenner
  traveled in the art circles of New York City, so it may have
  come to him direct. Brenner was a modeller by then (having
  learned to make a model oversize prior to 1900 in Paris
  and having the model reduced by pantographic reduction;
  he brought this technology to America that year).

  I remember seeing a six-inch galvano of the obverse of the
  Haney Medal among the works of Medallic Art Co (where
  I was director of research, 1967-1977). So at some point
  in time (prior to 1917 the job came to Medallic Art Co to
  strike the medal. The year was in raised letters (as was the
  rest of the lettering on the reverse) leaving a large reserve
  for the recipient to have his own name engraved (by his
  local jeweler, so if you see several of these named they
  will all be different engraving styles). They were bestowed
  to art students.

  Brenner was proud of this medal and exhibited it at the
  International Exhibition of Contemporary Medals at the
  American Numismatic Society in 1910 (IECM Catalog,
  Brenner number 12, page 26 ).

  In 1923 Haney?s name was added to the reverse,
  previously it was called the "School Art League of New
  York City Craftsmanship Medal" ? a mouthful! After
  1923 everyone called it simply the "Haney Medal."
  Thank goodness! Wayne Homren had the correct Haney
  it was named after in last week?s E-Sylum.  It was still
  being issued when I was at Medallic Art Co in the 1970s.

  I cataloged this medal for MAco archives and gave it
  number "09-11" (for the year it was founded) although it
  was first struck by MAco between 1909 and 1917. Later
  to cut the cost of retooling the reverse die every year the
  year was simply left off the die creating the final variety.

  The description at the website quoted last week,
  contained several errors. (why amateurs should not describe
  medals ? take note eBay sellers). They called it a plaque.
  No, it is smaller than eight inches -- it is a plaquette.  It
  also said the "Fabricator" was Medallic Art Co. No, no,
  no!  A fabricated medal has two parts that are soldered
  together. Call MAco the maker, manufacturer, medallist
  or "struck by," but not the fabricator for this medal.

  It is strange ANS asked to have the medal donated. They
  have one in their collections, their accession number
  1987.147.5. I sold two Haney medals in my Johnson &
  Jensen auctions, and Joe Levine has sold two as well in
  his Presidential Coin & Antique auctions, the last June 16,
  2001 (sale #69, lot 1713, where it brought $110).  Joe
  implied its rarity, stating "It could not have been awarded
  for any length of time!" It has been awarded for a long
  period of time, what is strange is that more of them have
  not come on the numismatic market.

  Perhaps it is an ideal flea market find. In worn condition
  it is a $25 medal. In better condition it can range from
  $40 to $100."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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