MORE ON THE NEBRASKA CENTENNIAL MEDAL

We recently discussed a Nebraska state anniversary medal. Jan Monroe passed along this chapter on the subject from his upcoming book on state anniversary numismatics. Thanks! Jan notes that "This information was also developed by John Veach of Lincoln, Nebraska. He assisted me with my research." -Editor

"The obverse side symbolizes Nebraska from east to west. The pioneer tree planter planting a cottonwood tree honors Arbor Day, which originated in Nebraska. On the branch of the tree is a Meadowlark, the state bird. Beneath the tree is native prairie grass, typical of the Nebraska plains. In the center right is the cabin at the Homestead National Monument, the first homestead cabin in the west. Towering above the cabin is the American Elm.On the left of the medal by the right foot of the tree planter is the Goldenrod, the state flower. Above the state flower on an open range is a herd of cattle. Here, too, the Platte River winds into the distant sandhills. On the horizon, beyond the sandhills is Chimney Rock, a famous western Nebraska landmark and now also a National Monument. The two monuments connect west with east. The arrowheads circling the medal honor the Indians part in our state's history.The reverse side features the state capitol building, standing alone before an endless sea of grass, prairie, sandhills, and bluffs stretching westward. In the sky are windswept clouds typical of the plains country. In the foreground is a quotation from Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass selected as being most apropos of Nebraska's potential.The border radiates out like the points of a compass toward the many futures of the state inscribed on the outermost border. The ever-present life-giving Nebraska sun is featured on both sides of the medal. On the obverse it touches the golden throat of the Meadowlark, a symbol of beauty and song. On the reverse, it extends down into the chambers of the Legislature."

Obv. In the lower left of center is a pioneer with a shovel digging around a tree. A cabin is shown to the right rear with large trees surrounding it and with rays of sunshine from a large sun in the upper left quadrant. At the top around are the words HONOR TO OUR HERITAGE. Below around are the words DEDICATION TO OUR FUTURE. To the left around is the date 1867 and to right around is the date 1967. A border of arrowheads separates the center of the medal from the words.

Rev. In the center is a low frontal view of the state capitol building. The sun illuminates the building from the upper left with clouds behind. Below in exergue are the words IN THIS BROAD EARTH OF OURS /...ENCLOSED AND SAFE WITHIN / ITS CENTRAL HEART NESTLES / THE SEED PERFECTION. Around the center are the following words AGRICULTURE / SCIENCE / LABOR / RECREATION / INDUSTRY / THE ARTS / EDUCATION / COMMERCE.

**Note: A two-piece proof set, limited to five hundred sets, was issued for the price of $37.50. The medals are in a white acrylic holder like the state of Nebraska. Only 100 sets were available for out of state buyers.

*Edge marked .999+ PURE SILVER and serially numbered.**Edge marked MEDALLIC ART CO. NY. BRONZE***A total of 37 platinum medals were offered but only ten were struck. Of the ten, just eight were sold and the remaining two were returned to the Medallic Art Company for melting. Edge marked MEDALLIC ART CO, NY. PLATINUM. The Platinum medals were individually serially numbered. One of the Platinum medals is in the Nebraska Historical Society collection.

Prices listed were for mail order. The medals could be purchased for slightly less at local banks.

"The book is a catalog of state anniversary exonumia for all 50 states and the US territories. The tentative title is Official and Semi-Official State Anniversary Exonumia. The scope includes US Government medals. It doesn't include city or county anniversaries. The anniversaries include discovery, exploration, first settlement, becoming a territory and statehood."