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Kings College Literary Prize (Columbia University) (wanted for collection)

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in American School Medals (wanted for collection)

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.

Item record created Oct. 12, 2008.
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