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johnsallay - American School Medals

American School Medals

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94 items (showing items 1–20)

	University of Virginia, Jefferson Society. Made in Baltimore, Maryland, 1857. Gold, Completely hand engraved. Diameter 47.9mm, 46.2 grams, with ring for suspension. Engraved by Canfield, Baltimore (signed on edge: Made by Canfield, Bro. & Co. Baltimore ). Obverse: UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA JUNE 27, 1857 around a very finely engraved view of the academic quadrangle designed by Thomas Jefferson, within an oval cartouche; above is the device from the Virginia state seal of Liberty crushing the tyrant under foot; below is the motto "Haec olim meminisse juvabit." (see below); copied from an early 19th century engraving by James W. Steel, Philadelphia. Reverse: PRESENTED by the JEFFERSON SOCIETY TO Thomas C. Nelson as their BEST DEBATER Session 1856-7, within an open laurel wreath, and Greek letters Phi Pi Theta below (the intials of the Society motto, which is "freindship, fatherland, divinity" in English). In the context of the obverse design of this medal, the motto "Haec olim meminisse juvabit" is a fantastic joke, which a young man of that day who was highly educated in the classics would have understood immediately. The quotation as shown on the medal is literally translated as "In the future it will be pleasant to remember these things" and, placed under a view of the main quadrangle of the campus, seems highly sentimental. The quotation is taken from Book 1, line 203 of Virgil's Aeneid, which is one of the most famous -- if not the most famous -- quotation in ancient Latin. The entire line, however is "Forsan haec olim meminisse juvabit" and is said by Aeneas to his men just after they are shipwrecked, expecting to die and complaining to thier leader. This full line is translated "Perhaps some day it will be pleasant to remember even this!" and when referring to their time at the college as students, reflects a somewhat different sentiment!
	University of Virginia, Jefferson Society. Probably Baltimore, Maryland, 1860. Gold, Completely hand engraved. Diameter 51.3mm, 46.4 grams, with ring for suspension. Attributed to Canfield, Bro. & Co. Baltimore. Obverse: UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA JULY 3, 1860 around a very finely engraved view of the academic quadrangle designed by Thomas Jefferson, within an elaborately engraved oval cartouche; above is the device from the Virginia state seal of Liberty crushing the tyrant under foot; below is the motto "Haec olim meminisse juvabit."; copied from an early 19th century engraving by James W. Steel, Philadelphia. Reverse: PRESENTED BY THE JEFFERSON SOCIETY TO James M. Boyd as their BEST DEBATER Session 1859-60, within an open laurel wreath, and Greek letters Phi Pi Theta below (the intials of the Society motto, which is "freindship, fatherland, divinity" in English). Provenance: Heritage Auctions
	University of Virginia, Jefferson Society. Probably Richmond, Virginia, 1879. Gold, Completely hand engraved. Diameter 45.8mm, 29.9 grams, with loop for suspension. Obverse: UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA HAEC OLIM MEMINISSE JUVABIT around a engraved view of the library building in the academic quadrangle which was designed by Thomas Jefferson, within a laurel wreath; above is a shield with the device from the Virginia state seal of Liberty crushing the tyrant under foot and motto SIC SEMPER TYRANNES. Reverse: Presented BY THE JEFFERSON SOCIETY TO Wyndham R. Meredith As their best speaker Session 1878.79, and Greek letters Phi Pi Theta below (the intials of the Society motto, which is "freindship, fatherland, divinity" in English), all within a closed laurel wreath.
	University of Virginia, Washington Society. Probably Richmond, Virginia, 1891. Gold, Completely hand engraved. Diameter 47.5mm, 43.8 grams. Obverse: UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA QUAMFLUCTUS DIVERSI QUAM MARE CONJUNCTI around an engraved and applied laurel wreath, within which is an engraved and applied view of the library building in the academic quadrangle which was designed by Thomas Jefferson. Reverse: Presented BY THE WASHINGTON SOCIETY TO C.F. SPENCER AS THEIR BEST DEBATER SESSION 90-91, all within a finely engraved and applied open laurel wreath. The Washington Society is a literary and debating society which is the great rival to the Jefferson Society at UVA.
	Vanderbilt University Founder's Prize. Struck by the U.S. Mint, 1881. Julian SC-59. Gold. Obverse: Bust of Cornelius Vanderbilt facing right, UNIVERSITAS VANDERBILTIA around top and the date MDCCCLXXIII (1873) below. Reverse: FOUNDER'S PRIZE FOR (engraved) Proficiency. Dental Dept. J.F. Foster. M.D.D.D.S. 1881. Within a circle, surrounded by an open laurel wreath. Prooflike uncirculated, in original case.
	Boston Latin School. 1820. Gold. Oval, 46.6mm × 37.0mm, 7.4 grams, with ring for suspension. Obverse: Sic itur ad astra (Thus the road to the stars) in one line above a stack of books. Reverse: Awarded for a translation of an ode of Horace to Joseph R. Otis, at the P.(ublic) Latin School Boston 1820.
	Mount Benedict Academy. Charlestown (now Somerville) Massachusetts. Silver, Completely hand engraved. With ring for suspension. Obverse: Mount Benedict, Charlestown Mafs, May 1st 1830 - engraved in three lines. Reverse: Presented by the Ladies of the Ursuline Community to Mifs Maria W Cotting for her amiable Deportment and general good Conduct - engraved in 9 lines. Provenance: Al Malpa Rocky Gardiner Miss Sarah E. Holmes, daughter of Miss Cotting “The annual Examination takes place in the month of June, commencing on the 29th and continuing three days. At the close, two Young Ladies are crowned, one in the Senior, and the other, in the Junior Class; the former receiving, at the same time, a gold medal, and the latter, a silver one. These Young Ladies shall have been in the Institution, one year, at least; during which time, they must have distinguished themselves, by their amiable deportment, general good conduct, and excellence in their studies.” From the Prospectus of the Mount Benedict School for Girls “The guests were first treated to ‘a variety of airs executed on the Piano, the Harp & the Guitar.’ The Bishop then addressed the students, ‘commending their application & speaking in high terms of the visible improvement they had made since the last examination & …expressing his wish that they would continue to afford the same satisfaction to their teachers on their return to the convent after their short vacation.’ Next, two girls were presented to him for the honor, and he placed wreaths of roses on their heads: ‘on the 1st (Miss Thompson of Charlestown) a wreath of white giving her at the same time a gold Medal; and on the 2nd (Miss Cotting) a wreath of red, with a medal of silver. They are then conducted to the throne & an appropriate Song is sung by all the others accompanied by the Harp & Piano.’ The students and their families enjoyed ‘a sumptuous repast provided by the good Superior,’ which was followed by further distribution of ‘premiums…consisting of a great variety of fancy articles. During which the Italian Musicians performed in the yard to the great delight of all, a great variety of airs.’ After this lovely day at Mount Benedict, the girls left with their families to return home.” From a description of Coronation Day, 1830 in the Diary of Bishop Benedict J. Fenwick (Archives of the Archdiocese of Boston), As described by Nancy Lusignan Schultz in Fire and Roses
	Wanted for collection: Kings College Literary Prize (Columbia University). New York, 1768. Silver, hand engraved. This example is in the Museum of the City of New York. Obverse: PRAEMIUM LITERARIUM COLLEGIUM REGALIS NOVI EBORACI IN AMERICA BENJAMINO MOORE (A Literary Prize of the Royal College of New York in America, to Benjamin Moore) and IN LUMINE TUO VIDEBIMUS LUMEN (In Your Light We Shall See Light) around Alma Mater seated on a throne, holding out an open book, with a cherub on either side and the sun rising on the right horizon; below the exergue is 1st Pet. II 1.2. And refers to a Biblical verse. Reverse: EXIMIO JUVENI PROPTER INSIGNES IN ARTIBUS PROGRESSUS (To an Exceptional Youth on Account of Noteworthy Progress in the Arts), around a full length standing figure of Athena, holding a spear in her right hand, awarding a medal to a standing youth. The earliest school medals intended for America were two gold medals that an English merchant and member of Parliament, John Sargent, commissioned in London and asked Benjamin Franklin to offer in 1762 at the College and Academy of Philadelphia (which is now the University of Pennsylvania) to two students for their essays. These were probably hand engraved and may still exist, but are not known. The earliest extant American school medal is this elaborately engraved medal given by the Literary Society of King’s College in New York, which is known today as Columbia University. It comes in two versions – an American made version engraved in New York by Elisha Gallaudet, who is believed to have engraved the dies for the Continental Dollar, and an English made version executed in London and hallmarked RR for Richard Rugg. They are exactly the same except for the natural stylistic differences you’d expect from two different engravers. This example is one of three known (of the 28 made) and resides in the Museum of the City of New York, having been given to them by a descendent of Benjamin Moore, the recipient.
	Boston Franklin School Medal - Crossed Quills. 1792. Silver, hand engraved. Diameter 34.8mm, 10.8 grams, with ring for suspension. Obverse: The GIFT of FRANKLIN in two curved lines, above two crossed quill pens and an open book, with a plain border. Reverse: Adjudged by the School Committee as A REWARD of MERIT to Thos. Hill, junr. 1792. In 8 lines, surrounded by a dotted border within a plain border. Very rare. Provenance: Bushnell collection
	Boston Franklin School Medal - Stacked Books. 1793. Silver, hand engraved. Diameter 36.1mm, 10.2 grams. Obverse: DETUR DIGNIORI above an uneven stack of four books, within an ornate engraved border. Reverse: FRANKLIN'S DONATION Adjudged by the School Committee of the TOWN OF BOSTON to Arthur M. Walter 1793 in 8 lines, surrounded by a dotted border within a plain border. Extremely rare, only known example of this variety. Provenance: Dick August Jonathan Trace
	Boston Latin School - Stacked Books design, later type. 1820. Silver, completely hand engraved. Diameter 36.1mm, 11.7 grams, with ring for suspension. Obverse: DETUR DIGNIORI above and around an uneven stack of four books, with a wriggle-work border. Reverse: James N. Deblois SCHOL:BOSTON: Curatores 1820. In four lines, within a wriggle-work border. Extremely rare, only known example of this variety. Provenance: Dick August
	Boston Franklin School Medal - Crossed Quills. 1802. Silver. Diameter 35.1mm, 14.4 grams, with hole for suspension. Obverse: THE GIFT OF FRANKLIN in a two curved lines, above two crossed quill pens and an open book, with a narrow border of laurel leaves. Reverse: 1802 (engraved) ADJUDGED BY THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE AS A REWARD OF MERIT TO (engraved) Chas. Cunningham Aged 11, in nine lines, within a narrow border of laurel leaves. Provenance: Alan Weinberg Maurice Gould In 1800, the engraved crossed quill design was replaced by this struck version, while the Boston Latin School continued with the completely hand engraved stacked books design through the late 1820’s. In about 1830, a smaller Wright & Bale design with a funny looking bust of Franklin replaced both of these versions and was given through 1846 in three varieties. The Boston School Committee reverted to a few simple hand engraved designs which were used until 1850. There is a simple and very rare stuck design that was used in 1851.
	Boston Franklin School Medal - U. S. Mint. 1858. Julian SC-11, Sallay F-9. Silver. Diameter 33.9mm, 18.4 grams, with loop for suspension. Engraved by Francis N. Mitchell (signed truncation of bust and at lower reverse). Obverse: THE GIFT OF FRANKLIN around a portrait bust of Franklin facing left, above MDCCXC; MITCHELL on truncation of bust. Reverse: AWARDED TO on a flowing ribbon above a field in which is engraved the recipient's name Nathaniel P. Hamlen. 1858. Above a floral spray; F.N. Mitchell. SC. Below. Relatively common. In 1852 the Boston School Committee commissioned Henry Mitchell to engrave the dies for this design. These were struck at the U.S. Mint until 1952 and given in large numbers. It’s the design they still used today, although the execution of the modern medals is inferior to this mid-19th century execution.
	Boston Town Medal. 1821. Sallay C-1. Silver, hand engraved. Hexagonal, with extension above, 39.9mm × 37.0mm, 12.7 grams, with ring for suspension. Obverse: TOWN MEDAL FOR FEMALES (in two lines, curving around) Instituted by the SCHOOL COMMITTEE BOSTON 1821 (in four lines below). Reverse: MERITED (curving around) BY Phebe W. Mallen FOR SUPERIOR SCHOLARSHIP A.D. MDCCCXXI. Extremely rare, as it was issued for only one year. Provenance: Alan Weinberg Maurice Gould Woodward collection Franklin’s will explicitly said that these medals were to be given to the best boys, but by 1821 this was considered unfair to the girls then also attending the public schools. Although only boys went to school at the time Franklin made his will and the Committee might have reasoned that he really meant that the medals were intended for all of the “children” who attended the schools, they decided to create a separate series of award medals for the girls. The first year of these say “Town Medal”, but Boston became a city in 1822, so after the first year these medals read “City Medal”.
	Boston City Medal. 1839. Sallay C-4. Silver. Hexagonal, with extension above, 37.8mm × 35.2mm, 16.5 grams, with hole for suspension. Obverse: MERITED (curving around) BY (engraved name) Naomi Waldoch FOR SUPERIOR SCHOLARSHIP A.D. 1839. (the 39 engraved), within a toothed border. Provenance: Alan Weinberg Maurice Gould
	Boston City Medal. 1851. Sallay C-7. Silver. Octagonal , with extension above, with ring for suspension. Obverse: CITY (floral spray) Medal (floral spray) 1821. Reverse: AWARDED TO above engraved name Clarissa A. Hollis 1851. Extremely rare, as it was issued for only one year. Provenance: Phil Keller
	Boston City Medal - U.S. Mint. 1865. Julian SC-12, Sallay C-8. Silver. Diameter 33.9mm, 16.2 grams, with loop for suspension. Engraved by Francis N. Mitchell (signed lower reverse). Obverse: CITY MEDAL on a flowing ribbon, above a view of the City of Boston within an elaborate cartouche, above the date 1821. Reverse: AWARDED TO on a flowing ribbon, above a field in which is engraved the recipient's name Ella L. Bird 1865. Above a floral spray; F.N. MITCHELL. SC. Below. Relatively common. The last design of these City Medals was engraved by Mitchell and struck by the U.S. Mint until 1867, at which point both boys and girls were given the same Franklin medals.
	Good Scholarship Gorget. New England, c.1800. Silver, hand engraved and punch-marked. In the shape of a gorget, 37.4mm × 26.1mm, 1.5 grams, with hole for suspension. Obverse: Good Scholarship, in two lines surrounded by three punch-marked pointing hands. Reverse: The initals A.B. Elaborately engraved. Provenance: Al Malpa Rocky Gardiner The gorget shape of this medal sybolizes esteem and honor, based on the item of military paraphernalia that officers wore around their necks. In medieval times the gorget was a piece of protective armor, but it evolved to refer to rank. Gorget-shaped award medals are extremely rare, with perhaps a handful known and all apparently from the New England area.
	1st Drawing Star. New England, c.1810. Silver, hand engraved. Five-pointed star, 45.5mm × 49.4mm, 4.2 grams, with hole for suspension. Obverse: 1st DRAWING, within an ornate engraved border. Reverse: MERIT, within an ornate engraved border. Provenance: Al Malpa Rocky Gardiner
	Mrs. Rowson’s Academy - lyre. Boston, 1810. Silver, hand engraved. In the shape of an ancient lyre, 46.7mm × 33.4mm, 7.7 grams, with hole for suspension. Obverse: Miss Lyman 2nd Class, around lines engraved to highlight the structure and strings of the lyre, with the date 1810 below. Reverse: Mrs. Rowson's Academy, around lines engraved to highlight the structure and strings of the lyre, with name G Graupner and the initals M.P. Below. Provenance: Stan Steinberg Mrs. Rowson was a prominent actress and author who established a private school in Boston for young ladies in 1797. She taught various academic subjects, but she also taught music, dancing, needlework, drawing and painting, and many of her students’ works survive. She retired in 1822 and died in 1824, but the school continued to be run by her daughter for some time after that. Reference: Giffen, Jane C. "Susanna Rowson and her Academy", Antiques Magazine September, 1970, pp. 436-440.