THE JOHNSON PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR MEDAL

NAMED LYNDON B. JOHNSON PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR MEDAL, 1967. Rochette J-64-5. 76.5mm. Bronze. Jacques Lipchitz, Sc. (MACO) Choice Uncirculated in original leather presentation case. Obverse: Naked bust of LBJ facing left surrounded by the legend: LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The reverse portrays the Greek god Prometheus chained to a mountain and being pecked by a vulture. Below: incused name of WILHELMINA DELORES JENKINS/ NAMED/ PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR/ 1967. (The reverse is pictured on page 85 of Friedenberg's Jewish Minters and Medalists.)

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is a recognition program. Students chosen as U.S. Presidential Scholars receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D. C. in June and the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House, in commemoration of their achievements. During their visit to Washington, Scholars have access to important national and international figures, including government officials, educators, authors, musicians, scientists and other accomplished people. Scholars are provided opportunities to: wrestle with issues that concern America and the world; attend recitals, receptions and ceremonies held in their honor; and visit area museums and monuments. But perhaps the greatest benefit to the Scholars, and the one they most often remark on, is the chance to exchange ideas with similarly motivated and accomplished peers, and to forge friendships that last a lifetime.

The program was conceived in the Kennedy administration and brought to fruition in 1964 under President Johnson. The initial choice of putting Johnson's profile on the obverse was probably not made by LBJ, as he generally disliked his likeness in portraits. Lipchitz' portrait was no exception as the President was quoted as saying, "Looks like I've been dead three weeks, and maybe ought to be." In spite of this, LBJ did approve the medal and it was presented to all Presidential scholars through the end of his administration when it was changed for Richard Nixon.

Wilhelmina Jenkins was one of the first African-Americans to be recognized as a Presidential Scholar. Now in her sixties, she has lived with chronic fatigue syndrome most of her adult life. A widely regarded spokesperson and face of CFS, she has shared her personal story before national organizations, research and nonprofit groups, and Congressional and public policy briefings about her experience living with CFS. She appeared on a segment of the Oprah Winfrey show about diseases that doctors miss or misdiagnose the most in 1983.

This is the first Johnson Presidential Scholar medal we have ever offered. Previous to this, we have sold single examples of the Nixon, Carter and Ford medals, each of which had different designs. The appearance of a Presidential Scholar in the marketplace is a rarity because they are universally held by the family as prized possessions. The Johnson medal is the only Presidential Scholar design depicting a presidential portrait. It is among the rarest and most desirable of all of his Presidential portraits. $375.00

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