SOME INTERESTING MEDALS: SEPTEMBER 21, 2014

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V17 2014 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 17, Number 39, September 21, 2014, Article 19

The following medals caught my eye this week. First up are two that appeared in Joe Levine's Presidential Coin & Antique Company fixed price list #88. For copies of Joe's price list, email him at JLEVINE968@aol.com. -Editor -Editor

GEORGE F. ROBINSON. PE-27. 77mm. Copper, bronzed. Anthony Paquet, Sc. (U.S. Mint) Choice About Uncirculated. Obverse with a bearded bust of Robinson to the left with a legend honoring him for his heroic conduct on April 14, 1865 in saving the life of Secretary of State William Seward. The reverse depicts Robinson warding off the knife-wielding Lewis Paine, in his attempt to assassinate the bedridden Seward.

The reverse is one of the most dramatic of all medals in the U.S. Mint series. As Cornelius Vermule noted, “The reverse, sketched by G.Y. Coffin, presents the scene in the sickroom in the same theatrical terms that Harper’s and the Illustrated London News showed John Wilkes Booth’s attack on the President.” One of only 84 medals struck in copper.

So how many assassination-prevention medals are there? Not many, I'll bet. Can anyone think of another? I dislike the word obverse, but the theatrically-staged reverse scene is well-done. -Editor

THE NEW YORK AIR BRAKE COMPANY 50TH ANNIVERSARY, 1940. 76.3mm. Bronze. Julio Kilenyi, Sc. Robbins Co.) Choice About Uncirculated with some light tarnish. Obverse: NEW YORK AIR BREAKS OF THE PRESENT above scene of a train speeding around a bend. Two line inscription on a raised band: THE NEW YORK AIR BRAKE COMPANY/ 1890 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 1940. Below: Horse-drawn coach with 4 horses/ BRAKES OF THE PAST. Reverse: GOLDEN JUBILEE above depiction of air brakes. Below: AIR BRAKES BRING/ SURETY AND SWIFTNESS. A particularly nice industrial medal by the prolific Kilenyi.

I like the obverse here, but the reverse is hideous. Do we really need a depiction of an actual air brake? It's an extremely important invention which made railroads safe; it could be argued that the air brake made the whole railroad industry (and the opening of the American West) possible. Why not depict a scene of an averted accident?

Next are some medals I noticed on the site of one of our new advertisers, Hedley Betts. -Editor

Undated (circa 1900), France. ART AWARD. By René Baudichon. Silver 50mm. OBV: An allegorical female standing behind an artist seated at an easel. REV: A wreath, palette and implements

I like this one. Nice composition, and I like the incorporation of an artist's palette on the reverse. -Editor

For more information, or to order, see: Baudichon: ART AWARD (www.mcssl.com/store/8596432/baudichon-art-award)

Undated (crca 1930), France. LONG JUMP. By Georges Contaux. AE 50mm. OBV: A man in mid jump, a stadium in the background. REV: A flaming torch. Some slight discoloration, nearly extremely fine.

I've seen a lot of sports medals, but don't recall any depicting the long jump. Nice. -Editor

For more information, or to order, see: Sports: LONG JUMP (www.mcssl.com/store/8596432/sports-long-jump)