Q: What kind of medal has a very high utilitarian value but at the end of the year that usefulness drops to near
zero, but its collector interest increases as it becomes widely sought after as a collectable?
A: Calendar medals. Medallic items where a calendar (of 12 or 6 months) is incorporated into the design with a theme significant for that year. These items of ephemeral nature are omitted from some national catalogs because of that lack of lasting utility, but that is part of their charm. They are collected because they exist.
First issued in the 17th century, hundreds of different designs have been employed to accompany the calendar images. No single nation has monopolized the calendar medal. They have been issued around the world.
National mints of Austria, Japan, France – and private mints elsewhere – are currently issuing calendar medals, often in an on-going series. Themes for these medals have, of course, included Zodiac, astrological symbols, sundials, hour glasses and such time-related devices.
Medallic Art Company – when it first issued a calendar medal – took a different tack, however. It commissioned sculptors to create an art medal with a strong theme, then work the design around a reserve, the open space in the artist’s reverse model where the calendar months would be added. The calendar dates were placed in the die by figure punches applied by a highly talented hand engraver.
While the final calendar medal product took on the mantle of a miniature work of art, often of a charming nature, the technology in creating it was outstanding. Not only did it require an innovative design, but also a competent bas-relief modeler of that design, plus hand engraving of incredible precision. Each was a marriage of sculptor and craftsman, of artists and machine operators.
Sculptor Frank Eliscu created that first calendar medal for 1975. He chose a theme of forest animals, a deer and faun on one half hemisphere, an owl and owlet on the other. The scenes contrasts the seasons, summer and winter, but unites the universal theme of parent and offspring. Poses by the same animal subjects are shown on the reverse. That is great medallic design!
Medallic Art’s calendar medal series continued the following year but by a new sculptor-artist, Marcel Jovine. The obvious theme for that American Bicentennial year, 1976, was the American Revolution Bicentennial. So appealing was Jovine’s design, and so popular was the sale of that medal, he was commissioned to create the following year’s calendar medal as well.
Thus began decade and a half custom, a relationship with this artist to create every calendar medal for the medal issuing firm. Later the artist told this writer, “I liked doing the yearly calendar medal. I could count on receiving this commission. I had a whole year to think about the theme of the next year’s medal.”
Perhaps the artistic bubbling up in the sculptor’s mind for a year’s time made his medallic designs so appealing, so charming, so desirable. They continued each year from 1976 to 1990, save one, in 1984.
Here are the themes of Marcel Jovine’s Medallic Art Calendar Medals (with that exception of 1984, by Ed Grove):
1976 – American Revolution Bicentennial
1977 – Salute to Old Glory
1978 – Zodiac
1979 – Sailing Ships
1980 – Olympic Winter Games
1981 – History of Flight
1982 – Dreamer of Dreams
1983 – American Automobile
1984 – Natural World [by Ed Grove]
1985 – Rime of the Ancient Mariner
1986 – Statue of Liberty
1987 – Eagle
1988 – Carousel
1989 – Pegasus
1990 – Great American Circus
Jovine alone chose the theme in for each of these medals. Some were the major event of that year, Olympic Games, American Bicentennial, making them an obvious choice. Others were anniversary years, as the 200th anniversary of the American flag, or centennial of the Statue of Liberty. Still others were just artistic opportunities, as the Unicorn in Dreamer of Dreams.
After a hiatus of two years, Bob Hoff restarted the series of calendar medals, issued by Medallic Art under his administration. The initial five years bore a continuity of Life in Selected Environments theme, followed by the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World:
1993 – Sea Life
1994 – Jungle Life
1995 – Mountain Life
1996 – Pond Life
1997 – Farm Life
1998 – Great Pyramid
1999 – Hanging Gardens
2000 – Zeus Statue at Olympia
2001 – Unknown
2002 – Temple of Artemis
2003 – Colossus of Rhodes.
Other American firms have produced calendar medals as could be expected. This included Franklin Mint, Medalcraft, Hoffman & Hoffman. We leave it to the reader’s opinion, however, if these medallic productions rose to the high level of creativity set by Medallic Art’s calendar medal artists.
At present, the numismatic and medallic fraternity is waiting for a numismatic scholar, George Fuld, to finish his catalog of this collecting topic. He wrote on calendar medals in his monthly column in The Numismatist, January 1956 to February 1974.
Fuld was founder and first president of the Token And Medal Society. He has been collecting calendar medals for five decades. His book on the subject will undoubtedly be a standard work of the subject.
Below is a list of Calendar Medals from Dick Johnson’s Databank of American Artists of Coins and Medals that he furnished to author Fuld to include in his up-coming book.
Calendar Medals In Dick Johnson’s Databank
ANGELINI, Dominic (1923- ) sculptor.
Born Camden, New Jersey, 20 November 1923.
Staff sculptor at Franklin Mint.
Calendar Medal Series:
1981 Rip Van Winkle Medal (designed by Al Fiorentino,
modeled by Dominic Angelini). . . . FM CAL-12
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CAL 33:1444
BLAKER, Clayton ( ) sculptor.
On sculpture staff, Franklin Mint.
Signs models lower case CB.
Calendar Medal Series:
1973 Tree of Time Calendar Medal. . . . . . . . . . FM CAL-4
Auctions:. .CAL 33:1434; PCA 55:1688, PCA 57:1887,
PCA 70:1341. PCA 71:1417
Di LORENZO, Joseph (1920-2001) sculptor, medalist.
Born Metuchen, New Jersey, 4 March 1920.
Signed models JDL initials or monogram.
One of America’s most productive medalists.
Member: National Sculpture Society.
Winner 1983 National Sculpture Society Lindsey
Morris Prize for best bas-relief (including medallic art).
Died Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 30 October 2001.
Calendar Medal Series:
1981 Medallic Art Company Flight Calendar Medal . . . . .
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J&J 24:476
ELISCU, Frank (1912-1996) sculptor, medalist.
Born New York City, 13 July 1912.
Died Sarasota, Florida, 19 June 1996.
Fellow, President: National Sculpture Society.
Member: National Academy of Design.
Winner Medal of Honor National Sculpture Soc, 1987.
Most famous work: Heisman Football Trophy statue.
Medallic Art Calendar Medals:
1975 Animal Life Calendar Medal [first in series] MAco 74-121
Auctions:. . . . . CAL 29:459, CAL 32:1673, CAL 33:1437,
CAL 35:452; J&J 8:1294-1295, J&J 12:340; PCA 53:1612,
PCA 54:1848, PCA 55:1689
1991 Forest Animals Calendar Medal (obv of 1975 medal, die
1974-121, muled with 1991 calendar) . . . . . . . . . . MAco
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , PCA 71:1462
EVERHART, Don II (1949- ) sculptor, medalist.
Full name: Donald Nelson Everhart II.
Born York, Pennsylvania, 19 August 1949.
Sculptor in residence Franklin Mint, 1974-1980.
Appointed to U.S. Mint January 5, 2004.
Signs models lower case DE.
Member: National Sculpture Society
Member (officer): American Medallic Sculpture Assn.
Member: Fédération Internationale de la Médaille.
Member: American Numismatic Association.
Member: American Artists Professional League.
Awarded: American Numismatic Association Sculptor
of the Year, 1994.
Awarded: National Sculpture Society Prize for Reliefs
& Medals (Society of Medalists #106 Dance Dolphins) 1985.
Calendar Medal Series:
1976 Franklin Mint Calendar Art Medal . . . . . . . . . .
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . PCA 50:502, PCA 71:1427
1984 Dance of Dolphins Calendar Medal . . . . . . . . . .
Auctions: . . . . . CAL 29:466; PCA 64:2067, PCA 67:947,
PCA 71:1444, PCA 71:1463-1464
Collection: American Numismatic Society. . . . 1985.50.1
Illustrated: PCA 53 Presidential Art Auction Cat, p. . 2
1992 Sea Life Calendar Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1993 Sea Offers Calendar Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PCA 69:1766
Collection: American Numismatic Society. . . . 1993.69.3
1995 Erte Women Calendar Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhibited: Hands Across The Sea (AMSA 2001-2002) . . 32
1996 Calendar Medal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Collection: American Numismatic Society. . . . 1996.92.1
FIORENTINO, Al (1913-1985) designer.
Born 13 January 1913.
Died Verona, New Jersey January 1985.
Calendar Medal Series:
1981 Rip Van Winkle Medal (designed by Fiorentino,
modeled by Dominic Angelini). . . . FM CAL-12
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CAL 33:1444
GORZELANCZYK, Melody ( ) designer.
Medalcraft Mint Calendar Series:
1995 Calendar Medal (obv design by Melody Gorzelanczyk,
both sides modeled by Virginia Janssen). . . . . . .
GROVE, Edward Ryneal (1912-2002) sculptor, medalist,
engraver, painter, Engraver U.S. Mint, 1962-1965.
Born Martinsburg, West Virginia, 14 August 1912.
Signed models ERG monogram or initials.
Fellow: National Sculpture Society.
Awarded: J. Sanford Saltus Medal for Medallic Art by
American Numismatic Society, 1985.
Winner 1967 National Sculpture Society Lindsey Morris
Prize for best bas-relief (including medallic art).
Member: American Medallic Sculpture Association.
Died Chatsworth, Florida, 19 November 2002.
Medallic Art Calendar Medal Series:
1984 Natural World Calendar Medal . . . . . . . . . . MAco 1984-115
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . PCA 60:1627, PCA 70:1352
GUNZER, Gladys (1939- ) sculptor, medalist.
Married name Mrs Richard Sheridan Gunzer.
Born North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, 12 November 1939.
On staff Medallic Art Co, 1974-1989, freelance thereafter.
Calendar Medal Series:
1982 John Deere Tractor Calendar Medal. . . . . . . Medalcraft?
1984 Louisiana World’s Exposition Calendar
Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAco 1983-204
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CAL 29:467
2001 Year 2001 Medal (obverse by Gunzer). . . . . Medalcraft
HANSON, Charles H. ( ) engraver, founder of firm bearing his name, Chicago.
Produced large number of medals for Chicago World’s Fair
(1892-3) and frequently muled dies.
More than 800 of his firm’s medals in collections of
American Numismatic Society.
Medals:
1892 Columbus Santa Maria Perpetual Calendar
Medal. . . . . . . . . Rulau C30, Storer 113, Eglit 67,
Fuld N.CO.2, Springfield 4612
JACOBUS, Peter H. (c1836-c1904) German-American engraver,
diesinker, Philadelphia.
Born in Prussia about 1836.
Came to America and Philadelplhia before 1852.
Partner in engraving firm Jacobus & Schell (1856-59)
with John J. Schell. On his own after 1860. He engraved
a crossbelt plate for several military organizations for
Civil War and after. He was captain in 2nd Regiment,
Pennsylvania National Guard. Philip Jacobus (q.v.)
also an engraver, was a younger brother of Peter’s.
Listed in city directories until at least 1904, but his
date of death still remains unknown.
Should not be confused with German miniaturist of 15th
century, Jacobus, who produced medallions on bindings.
Signed some dies with initials PHJ.
Medals:
1858 Washington (George) Perpetual Calendar Medal . Baker 386
Collection: American Numismatic Society. . 1932.999.849
1858 Washington (George) Perpetual Calendar Medal . Baker 387
Auctions:. . . CAL 29:795; J&J 10:1053; PCA 45:483-484,
PCA 47:1586, PCA 55:909, PCA 58:1273, PCA 63:1138,
PCA 65:1271, PCA 69:1271
Collection: American Numismatic Society . 0000.999.39340
1855 Washington (George) New York Calendar Medal Mule
(Joseph Levine attrib to Jacobus or B. True) . Baker 610
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PCA 44:85
1855 Washington (George) Pennsylvania Calendar Medal Mule
(Joseph Levine attrib to Jacobus or B. True) . Baker 611
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PCA 44:86
1858 Washington (George) Perpetual Calendar . . . . Baker 387
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . PCA 44:481, PCA 70:1069
JANSSEN, Virginia (1962- ) engraver, sculptor, medalist.
Married name: Virginia Joan Janssen-Gallus.
Born Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 12 February 1962.
Studied: University of Colorado, Boulder, BFA 1985.
School of Medallic Art, Zecca Mint, Rome, diploma 1990.
Employed: sculptor-engraver at Medalcraft Mint, in
Green Bay, Wisconsin, March 1992–26 January 1996.
Operates: Small Reliefs Sculpture Studio, Nov 1996–.
Signs models: VJ initials or monogram, last name in full.
Taught Art of Engraving at one-week and one-day seminars
at numismatic organizations, American Numismatic Assn
(Colorado Springs) and American Numismatic Soc (NYC).
Submitted design for new U.S. dollar coin Nov-Dec 98.
Member: American Medallic Sculpture Association.
Member: FIDEM
Medalcraft Mint Calendar Series:
19xx Day and Night Calendar Medal . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhibited: AM6 {1994} AMSA The New Medal Exhibit . . 126
1993 Medal (obv by Steven Adams; rev by Janssen). . . . .
1994 Medal (both sides by Janssen). . . . . . . . . . . .
1995 Medal (obv design by Melody Gorzelanczyk, both sides
modeled by Janssen). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
JOVINE, Marcel (1921-2003) medalist, sculptor.
Born Naples, Italy, 26 July 1921. Came to America
first as a prisoner of war, repatriated to Italy, returned
in 1946, naturalized as a citizen 195?
His 1987 Constitution Bicentennial Commemorative Five
Dollar gold won a COTY, Coin Of The Year award (from
Krause Publications) for Most Historical Significant coin.
The United States Mint treated Jovine in progressively
shabby manor. His first coin models (1987) were accepted
intact for both sides (and won a CODY award, historical
significant; see above). The following year only his reverse
was accepted to allow Elizabeth Jones to do the obverse.
In 1990 his reverse only was accepted but was altered by
a staff engraver. In 1992 an Olympic reverse was accepted,
but in 1995 an Olympic reverse model was completely
remodeled by William Cousins. He decided to try again,
in 2001, but his design was merged with one of another
artist, Alex Shagin. This was the final indignity, and he
refused any further work for the Mint. For an artist who
was an exception designer of rare talent that submittled
professional models, this was a loss to the nation’s coins.
Fellow (and President): National Sculpture Society.
Member: American Medallic Sculpture Association.
Awarded: J. Sanford Saltus Medal for Medallic Art by
American Numismatic Society, 1984.
Winner 1977 National Sculpture Society Lindsey Morris
Prize for best bas-relief (including medallic art).
Officer (Ufficiali): Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus.
Died Greenwich, Connecticut, 20 January 2003.
Medallic Art Calendar Medal Series:
(Jovine would model both sides leaving a large area blank,
called a “reserve” for the dates and months of the calendar;
after the die is cut it would be sent to John Oliva at Carva,
in NYC, who would hand punch in all the dates of the year,
In effect hand cutting the reserve area of the die, which would
be hardened after he finished and returned the die to MACO.)
1976 American Revolution Bicentennial Calendar
Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. MAco 1975-134
Auctions:. . . . . . CAL 28:191, CAL 29:461, CAL 32:1674;
J&J 8:52, J&J 8:1296, J&J 10:111, J&J 11:265, J&J 13:209,
J&J 16:1134, J&J 18:320, J&J 19:523, J&J 21:138,
J&J 23:274; PCA 44:1518, PCA 59:1947, PCA 63:1957,
PCA 67:942, PCA 68:651, PCA 70:1343
Collection: American Numismatic Society. . . 1987.53.74
Exhibited: AE8 {1977} NSS 44th Exhibition cat, illus 94
Illustrated: P21 The Art Medalist 1:5 (October 1975) p 2
Illustrated: P21 The Art Medalist 1:6 (December 1975)p 6
Illustrated: P21 The Art Medalist 2:4 (July 1976)p 1, 16
1977 Salute to Old Glory Calendar Medal . . . . . . MAco 1976-171
Auctions:. . . . . CAL 28:193, CAL 32:1675, CAL 33:1439,
CAL 35:454; J&J 8:1297, J&J 19:424, J&J 21:1154,
J&J 26:481; PCA 51:1118, PCA 53:1613
Collection: American Numismatic Society. . . 1977.178.1
1978 Zodiac Calendar Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MAco 1977-107
Auctions:. . . . . CAL 28:194, CAL 30:234, CAL 32:1676,
CAL 35:455; PCA 51:1119, PCA 52:1510,
PCA 53:1617. PCA 71:1438
Exhibited: AE8 {1978} NSS 45th Exhibition cat, illus 88
1979 Sailing Ships Tall and True Calendar
Medal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MAco 1978-075
Auctions:. . . . . . CAL 28:195, CAL 29:460, CAL 30:235,
CAL 32:1679, CAL 33:1441, CAL 35:456; J&J 13:211,
J&J 18:321, J&J 19:525; PCA 51:1120, PCA 52:1511,
PCA 53:1618
Exhibited: AE8 {1979} NSS 46th Exhibition cat, illus
1980 Olympic Winter Games Lake Placid Calendar
Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gadoury 4, MAco 1979-80
Auctions:. . . . . J&J 12:342, J&J 16:2186, J&J 19:526,
J&J 21:139; CAL 28:196, CAL 29:462, CAL 30:236,
CAL 32:1682, CAL 33:1442; PCA 52:1512, PCA 53:1623,
PCA 58:1972, PCA 60:1621, PCA 63:1963, PCA 71:1440
Exhibited: F.I.D.E.M. 19 Congress, Florence (1983) 1711
Illustrated: P4 {1979} TAMS Journal 19:6 (December)p 256
1981 History of Flight Calendar Medal . . . . . . . . MAco 1980-155
Auctions:. . . . . . J&J 19:527, J&J 23:275; CAL 28:198,
CAL 29:464, CAL 30:237, CAL 32:1683, CAL 33:1443;
PCA 52:1513, PCA 53:1624, PCA 60:1623
1982 Dreamer of Dreams Calendar Medal . . . . . . .MAco 1981-054
Auctions:. . . . . CAL 30:238, CAL 31:193, CAL 32:1684,
CAL 33:1445; J&J 19:528; PCA 52:1514, PCA 53:1627,
PCA 66:1342, PCA 71:1442
Exhibited: AE8 {1981} NSS 48th Exhibition cat, illus 111
Illustrated: AF19 {1983} F.I.D.E.M. Catalog. . . . . . . 1712
1983 History of American Automobile Calendar
Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAco 1981-203
Auctions:. . . . . CAL 29:465, CAL 33:1446; PCA 71:1443
1985 Rime of the Ancient Mariner Calendar
Medal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. MAco 1984-179
Auctions:. . . . PCA 52:1516, PCA 53:1629, PCA 64:2068,
PCA 67:948, PCA 71:1446
1986 Statue of Liberty Calendar Medal (also called Mother
of Exiles Calendar Medal). . . . . . . . . . . . MAco 1985-039
Auctions:. . . . . CAL 28:17; PCA 52:1517, PCA 53:1630,
PCA 60:1632, PCA 64:2069, PCA 67:949, PCA 71:1450
Illustrated: F.I.D.E.M. Catalog (1987) 1431, p . . . 402
1987 Eagle Calendar Medal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAco 1986-175
Auctions:. .PCA 50:1549-1551, PCA 52:1518, PCA 60:1638,
PCA 65:1864, PCA 67:950, PCA 71:1451
Exhibited: AM3 {1988} AMSA Traveling Exhibition. . . p 5
Exhibited: F.I.D.E.M. 21 Congress, Colorado Spgs.. 1430
1988 Carousel Calender Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MAco 1988-251
(NB: This design also cut into 2 ½-inch for crystal pattern.)
Auctions:. . . . . PCA 61:1361, PCA 63:1970, PCA 71:1454
Exhibited: AM3 {1988} AMSA Traveling Exhibition. . . p 5
Exhibited: AF22 {1990} F.I.D.E.M. Exhibit, Helsinki.
Exhibited: AM4 {1990} AMSA Newark Museum Exhibit p 4
Illustrated: P8 Medallic Sculpture 6 (Fall 1990) page 23
1989 Pegasus Calendar Medal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..MAco 1987-252
Auctions:. . . . . PCA 52:1519, PCA 70:1362, PCA 71:1457
Exhibited: AF22 {1990} F.I.D.E.M. Exhibit, Helsinki.
Exhibited: AM4 {1990} AMSA Newark Museum Exhibit p 4
Illustrated: Sculpture Review 39:3 (3rd Quarter 1990) 17
1990 Great American Circus Calendar Medal . . . MAco 1989-330
Auctions:. . . . . PCA 52:1520, PCA 60:1644, PCA 71:1461
Exhibited: AF22 {1990} F.I.D.E.M. Exhibit, Helsinki.
Exhibited: AM4 {1990} AMSA Newark Museum Exhibit p 4
Rockwell Society Calendar Series:
1979 Rockwell Society Calendar Medal . . . . . . . . .
Auctions: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PCA 44:1777
1980 Rockwell Society Calendar Medal . . . . . . . . .
Auctions: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PCA 44:1778
R E F E R E N C E S
P21 {1975} 200-Year Panorama of American Events Emblazen Bicentennial Medallic Art Calendar. The Art Medalist
1:5 (October 1975) p 3; 1:6 (Dec 1975) p 6; 2:4 (July 1976) cover, p 1, 16.
KITCHEN, W.W. (fl 1892) engraver.
Shell Medals:
1892 Columbian Exposition Perpetual Calendar
Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fuld Ki 4, Eglit 416
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PCA 70:1250
R E F E R E N C E S
P2 {1958} Fuld. Calendar Medals and Store Cards. The Numismatist 71:6 (June 1958) Ki 4, p 684.
S14 {1963} Eglit, 416, p
S58 {1999} Rulau. Standard Catalog U.S. Tokens, p 479.
LAUSER, Ernest (1917- ) sculptor.
Born Palmyra, Pennsylvania, 10 December 1917.
Began carving age 8 or 9; asst commercial artist 1925.
Won Proctor & Gamble soap carving contest in 1929.
Freelance 1945; employed Commercial Art Service 1958-65.
Employed at Franklin Mint as medallic sculptor, March
1969, until he retired, October 1978.
Signed models EL in caps.
Calendar Medal Series:
1974 Franklin Mint Zodiac Calendar Art Medal. . . . FM CAL-x
Auctions:. . . CAL 30:232, CAL 33:1435, CAL 35:449-451;
J&J 26:480
1975 Franklin Mint Calendar Art Medal . . . . . . . FM CAL-x
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J&J 22:850
1977 Franklin Mint Calendar Art Medal . . . . . . . FM CAL-x
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . CAL 33:1440; J&J 26:482
MALETSKY, Alfred F. (1943- ) sculptor.
Staff engraver Franklin Mint. Staff engraver U.S. Mint.
Born Easton, Pennsylvania, 1943.
Attended Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and John
Hussian School of Art, studied painting, sculpture, graphics.
Joined Franklin Mint under William Cousins 1976.
Appointed sculptor-engraver U.S. Mint July 1993.
Twice won Coin Of The Year (COTY) Award 1998 for
the Paralympic Dollar and in 2001 for New Jersey quarter.
Calendar Medal Series:
1994 Calendar Medal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FM
Exhibited: AM6 {1994} AMSA New Medal Exhibit . . . . 143
MILLER, Vincent H. ( ) sculptor.
On staff Franklin Mint.
Signed models VM in lower case with V extending over M.
Calendar Series:
1977 Calendar Medal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FM CAL-8
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CAL 33:1440
PAINE, Richard (ca 1807- ) engraver, Springfield, Mass.
Active in Springfield at least 1840-57 whose major business
activity was creating cameo stamps.
Medals:
1853 Perpetual Calendar Medal (obv signed S. Smith, rev
R. Paine; made by A.S. & W.C. Ellis Manufacturers &
Electrotypers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Storer 1695
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J&J 9:594
PERSON, I.B. ( ) patentee.
Medals:
1853 Calendar Medal (patented 1851 by Person) . . . . . .
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J&J 17:658
ROBERTS, Gilroy (1905-1992) sculptor, engraver, Chief Engraver,
Philadelphia Mint, 1948-1964; Chief Engraver Franklin Mint
1965-92, Chairman of the Board 1965-72.
Born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 11 March 1905.
Hired 3 June 1936 for engraving staff at U.S. Mint under John
R. Sinnock, on 6 January 1938 transfered to Bureau of Engraving
and Printing, to return to the U.S. Mint where he was appointed
Chief Engraver 22 July 1948. After serving in this capacity for
17 years he resigned 8 October 1964 at age 59.
His medallic output was in three distinct classes:
(1) government work struck by U.S. Mint (1948-1964),
(2) private issues mostly struck by Medallic Art Company
(1950-1967), (3) private issues struck entirely by
Franklin Mint (1965-1992).
Enticed to leave the U.S. Mint by Joseph Segal, founder
of the Franklin Mint, Roberts was named Chief Engraver
and Chairman of the Board of Franklin Mint. He headed an
engraving department for this private mint that was to grow
to over a two dozen full time staff members, and utilized the
freelance talents of more than 240 outside sculptors. Roberts
would often create the first medal of a new series (in 20 i
nstances) and other sculptors would do the remainder of the series.
He signed both coin and medal models with distinctive GR
monogram (but in 15 different styles, often with date).
His monogram on the Roosevelt dime was infrequently
mistaken for a Russian hammer & scythe by the uninformed.
Three U.S. Mint artists–Roberts, Frank Gasparro, Adam Pietz–
(and sculptor Micael Lantz) were the first American medalists
to have exhibited in a F.I.D.E.M. exhibition (1951).
Roberts was a member of the jury (1974) of the National
Bicentennial Competition which chose the three coin designs
for the reverses of the U.S. quarter, half and dollar coins (won
by Jack L. Ahr, Seth G. Huntington, and Dennis R. Williams,
qq.v.). Other jury members were: Adlai S. Hardin, Robert
Weinman, all sculptors, Julius Lauth, of Medallic Art Company,
and Elvira Clain-Stefanelli, Smithsonian Institution numismatic
curator.
Member: National Sculpture Society.
Died Haverford, Pennsylvania, 26 January 1992.
His workshop was replicated after his death by the American
Numismatic Association in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Many
of this tools, models, drawings, and works of art were placed
on loan to the association.
Calendar Medal Series:
1967 Calendar Medal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auctions:. . . . . CAL 33:1432, CAL 35:448; PCA 63:1939
1968 Calendar Medal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . CAL 33:1533; PCA 63:1941
1972 Calendar Medal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . CAL 30:231; PCA 52:1509
SABIN, H.W. (active 1853) engraver.
Medals:
1853 Sabin’s New York World’s Fair Calendar Medal . . . .
Auctions: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J&J 21:1146
SCHULE, Clifford H. ( ) sculptor.
On staff Franklin Mint.
Signed models with interlocking CS in caps.
Calendar Medals:
1983 Father Time Franklin Mint Calendar Medal . . . FM CAL 14
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CAL 33:1447
SMITH, S. (active 1853) designer, patentee.
Medals:
1853 Perpetual Calendar Medal (made by A.S. & W.C. Ellis or
Ellis & Read, patented by S. Smith). . . . . Storer 1660, 1661
1853 Perpetual Calendar Medal (obv signed S. Smith, rev
R. Paine; made by A.S. & W.C. Ellis Manufacturers &
Electrotypers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Storer 1695
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J&J 9:594
R E F E R E N C E S
M10 {1923} Storer (Massachusetts) 1660, 1661, p 215; 1695 219.
STOLP, M.G. ( ) designer.
Medals:
1892 World’s Fair Calendar Medal (copywrited by Stolp). .
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PCA 52:1327
TRUE, Benjamin C. (fl 1832-79) Early American engraver, diesinker,
seal engraver, letter cutter; Albany, New York (1823-38);
Cincinnati (1849-1879).
Listed in Albany first as letter cutter (1823-33) then
gunsmith, but left for Cincinnati in 1849. His Albany
business was carried on by relative Daniel True (q.v.).
Created what he called “Wealth of the South Series”
in effect stock dies for use by anyone. One obverse
was dominated by palmetto tree with bales, hogsheads,
cannon, cannonballs at base; others were portraits of
Abraham Lincoln, John Breckenridge, John Bell,
Stephen Douglas. Reverse design was symbolic
pastiche of rice, tobacco, sugar, cotton. These were
illustrated N35 {2002} Bowers, More Adventures,
p 289, 294-299.
Signed dies: T, TRUE F, and TRUE ALB (later in Albany).
Medals:
1855 Pennsylvania Calendar Medal Mule (dealer Joseph Levine
suggests True or Peter Jacobus as artist). . . Baker 611
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PCA 44:86
1855 Ohio Calendar Medal Mule (dealer Joseph Levine
suggests True or Peter Jacobus as artist). . . Baker 612
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PCA 44:87
1858 Washington (George) Perpetual Calendar Medal . Baker 385
Collection: American Numismatic Society. 0000.999.39339
1858 Washington (George) Perpetual Calendar Medal . Baker 386
Auctions:. . . . . PCA 58:1272, PCA 63:1137, PCA 65:1270
TRUMBULL, John (1756-1843) painter, designer.
Born Lebanon, Connecticut, 6 June 1756.
While in England he was commissioned to design the
three Washington Seasons Medals, struck by Soho Mint.
Four of his paintings in United States Capitol, including
Signing of the Declaration of Independence,
replicated on several medallic items (listed below).
His portrait on third American Art-Union Medal, 1849.
Died New York City, 10 November 1843.
Replicas and Reissues:
(1857 ca) Perpetual Calendar Medal (George Washington on
horseback in Trenton from Trumbull painting) . Baker 386
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J&J 10:1052
WEISTROP, Elizabeth Nealon (1916-1999) sculptor, medalist, painter.
Born 15 February 1916.
Signed models E.W. initials.
Member: National Sculpture Society.
Winner 1974 National Sculpture Society Lindsey Morris
Prize for best bas-relief (including medallic art).
Died Half Moon Bay, California, 23 March 1999.
Medals:
1965 Equal Justice Under Law Medal. . . . . . . . MAco 1965-46
Auctions:. . . . . CAL 28:411, CAL 32:1826, CAL 35:697;
J&J 11:534, J&J 16:1616
Replicas and Reissues:
1980 Equal Justice Under Law Calendar Medal (obv Weistrop’s
1965 obv of same name, muled with rev 1980
calendar by Marcel Jovine MAco 79-80). . . MAco ?
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PCA 42:1154
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