A CONFUSION OF SIMILAR CONSTELLATION MEDALS

This artist is often confused with Howard Chandler CHRISTY (note the Y instead of LE or IE).

Let's call Howard Chander artist of Medal No 1, and Edward L. Medal No. 2.

Medal No 1 is the U.S. Constitution Plaquette, struck in 1937 by Medallic Art Company. This artist CHRISTY was the painter of a painting that another artist, Rudolph Freund modeled after. The client was the Philadelphia jewelry firm Bailey, Banks and Biddle.

Medal No 2 is the U.S. Constellation Medal, struck in 1961 by Bastian Brothers. This artist CHRISTLE made a drawing that a factory artist in Bastian's plant rendered into a pair of round dies. The client was that Baltimore Restoration Committee mentioned in last week's E-Sylum.

The medals are often confused by the similarity of both artists' last name AND the name of the medal -- the name of the ship -- despite a handful of other factors: size, shape, composition, maker, artistic quality are the most notable.

For Medal No 2, mentioned in last week's E-Sylum and previously, it was covered extensively by Bill Swoger in his recent book, "National Commemorative Medals" ( page 215). Bill illustrates the full leaflet shown partially last week. The leaflet -- and Bill Swoger -- got the spelling correct.

Bill included this medal as an "associated item" to one struck by the Philadelphia Mint, the U.S.Constellation 175th Anniversary Medal by artists Edgar Zell Steever and Sherl Joseph Winter, struck in 1972.

I guess that makes it Medal No 3.

You can understand the confusion. Or have I confused you more?

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: THE CONSTELLATION SOUVENIR MEDAL (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v14n27a09.html)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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