QUERY: WAS THIS GASPARRO’S LAST MODEL?

Owner of this plaster model is asking for more information about it. It was among other plasters and medals by Frank Gasparro. I am unfamiliar with this particular piece and wonder if it was indeed, struck as a medal. Theme of the medal was Y2K, the beginning of the third millennium.

The plaster is cast from a clay model, in Gasparro’s creative style, and signed with his familiar FG initials. It could have been made in 2000 or any time earlier. He died in September 2001. I know of no other piece made by him this late in his career so this may be his last medallic creation.

Gasparro retired from the Philadelphia Mint in January 1981. I know he had a studio in his home as I visited him in 1996 with film producer Mike Craven for a filmed interview. During his retirement he created a Bahamas Columbus Coin for the Franklin Mint, an ANA Convention Badge in 1991, a series of eight medals for the Providence Mint, and at least eight medals on commission including his own portrait medal.

Does anyone recognize this design on an existing medal? If not the plaster model was done on speculations – not on commission – therefore not an existing medal.

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web