1917 Medal Miller-34.2 Matte Silver Medallic Art Co. N.Y.

Coin Details

Auction Record

$26 SP62 03-16-2020 eBay

Description

This matte silver medal (Miller-34.2) was issued by the American Numismatic Society in cooperation with New York Mayor John Purroy Mitchel's Committee of Reception to commemorate the April-May 1917 visit of the French and British War Commissions following America's entry into World War I. The French Mission was led by former Prime Minister René Viviani and Marshal Joseph Joffre; the British Mission by Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour. The 63.4mm medal features an obverse by Daniel Chester French (sculptor of the Lincoln Memorial statue) depicting Victory wearing a helmet decorated with French lilies, British oak leaves, and American pine. The reverse by Evelyn Beatrice Longman shows Liberty greeting Joan of Arc and a medieval knight representing France and England. Struck by the Medallic Art Company, each piece was individually numbered. The ".2" designation indicates the silver metal variant: 34.1 = bronze (171 struck), 34.2 = silver (109 struck), 34.3 = gold (5 struck), 34.4 = brass (1 struck). Cass Gilbert, architect of the Woolworth Building, served as Chairman of the Committee on Decorations.

Rarity Notes

Silver (Miller-34.2): 109 individually numbered specimens struck. Bronze: 171. Gold: 5. Brass: unique. Struck by Medallic Art Company. Daniel Chester French obverse, Evelyn Beatrice Longman reverse.

Cross References

Miller-34.2; ANS medal; Daniel Chester French obverse; Evelyn Beatrice Longman reverse; Medallic Art Company; WWI French & British War Commissions; 1917