Evening star., 1923-10-07
Interesting Medals
Produced by Mint


~ tom. the director of the United
State mint is now having pre-
u pared, and will soon have ready
for the public, a medal in commemora-
ton of the late President Harding.
The diverse of the medal, a beauti-
fully modelled relief of Mr.. Harding,
was made some time ago by Mr.. Nor
gan, engraver of the Philadelphia
mint, who visited the late President
in the executive Offices and there.
while Mr.. Harding was working at
wax. This. after some changes sug-
gested by Mrs. Harding. was accepted
and cast in bronze. From this origi-
nal bronze, now hanging in the Office
of the director OF the mint In Wash
ington. the diverse of the medal has
been struck. The lead of Mr.. Hard
ing is turned to the left and the strong
modelling of his features is shown
admirably in the golden bronze.
The reverse of the medal is now
awaiting the final approval of the
director of the mint. 1t probably will
bear a woman's figure. typifying
America, her head bowed in grief.
At her feet lie laurel wreath and
branch of palm. The general design
Is somewhat like that of the medal
struck in commemoration Of the
death of William Mckinley.
THIS is the twenty-ninth in the
= series of presidential medals
struck by the mint at Philadelphia
bearing the portraits of the Presi-
dents of the United States. The work
on the Coolidge medal has already
been started
The first of these medals. of course.
is that of George Washington. The
diverse carries the undraped bust OF,
Washington facing the right, with
the inscription, George Washington.
President of the United States" and
the date 1883. The artist who de-
signed this medal was Pierre Simon
Du vivier, the grandson of Jean Du
vivier. known as Du Vivier "le pere."
the frst OF distinguished family of
medal engravers, who at the Begin
ming of the seventeenth century
lived In Liege.
The reverse OF the medal has the
legend. Peace and Friendship" and
two hands clasped in token of amity.
On the cuff of the left wrist there are
three stripes and buttons with the
American eagle, the other wrist is
bare; above, the pipe of peace and
tomahawk are crossed. Indian en-
blems of peace and war.
The reverse of this medal Is re-
peated on the medals of the Presi-
dents from washington to Zachary
Taylor, with the exception of that of
William Henry Harrison. who died
after one month in Office. The reverse
of the Harrison medal bears this in
scription within laurel wreath: In
augurated President of the United
States March 4. 1S41. Died April 4.
1S41."
The artist who designed the medal
for Millard Fillmore. 1850. placed on
the reverse design different, but
still typifying the friendship between
the United States and the Indians. A
white man and an Indian stand before
flag in an agricultural scene; above.
Labor. Virtu Honor" This design is
| repeated on the reverse of the Pierce
and Buchanan medals.
The medal struck for Abraham Lin
| coin carries on the diverse his head,
facing right, with the simple letter.
l ing, Abraham Lincoln" On the re-
| verse. "Inaugurated President OF the
United States, March 4, 1861. Second
term, March 4, 1865. Assassiaated.
April IA, 1866" surrounded by an oak
wreath The simplicity of this medal
and the fine balance of lettering make
it one of the most artistic Of this
series.
! The next medal, the Andrew john
/. son, is the last to bear representa-
| tion of peace between the United
1 States and the Ir;..G.:s. On the re-
| verse is the figc., of Columbia In q
| lowing robe. 1.'asi.::.s the hand OF
an Indian chief. before tomb sur
mounted by the bust of Washington.
Except for the portraits, there are
|! but slight differences in the later
| medals. which almost all bear on the
| reverse the simple lettering giving
the dates of Inauguration. For Will
liam Mckinley two medals were
struck, the second one commemorate
ing his assassination on September 8,
| 1901. The reverse of this represents
the mourning figure of Columbia, de-
signed by Mr.. Morgan, the artist en-
| graver of the Harding medal.
| The Roosevelt medal is one of the
finest as we'll as the most popular of
the series. The head is finally exc
cuted, expressing all the vigor and
vitality of that great leader Of men.
| In the Wilson medal the head Is not
shown in profile, but is that three
1 quarter view most familiar in por-
traits.
| A study Of the presidential series as
a whole is interesting, showing
contrast in types as well as in faces
Not only does the style of headdress
and costume change from one period
to another, but there seems to be an
essential difference in the very fea-
lures of the men of earlier days and
the men of our own day. This contras,
is more noticeable, as the medals are
of uniform size. seventy-six milli-
meters in diameter. and are cast In
the same golden bronze.
| individual collectors have lons
priced these sets, but schools and
tcoa.iaued on Fourth Page,
s p - : 1. rs sH4 G-s u !