1930 Medal M.A. Bay Tercenten. 102mm Medallic Art Co. NY

Coin Details

Description

This 102mm bronze medal produced in 1930 by Medallic Art Company of New York commemorates the Massachusetts Bay Tercentenary, celebrating the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630. The Massachusetts Bay Colony, established by Puritan settlers led by John Winthrop, became the most influential of the New England colonies and played a central role in the development of American democratic institutions, education, and culture. Winthrop's famous sermon declaring Massachusetts a "city upon a hill" established a metaphor for American exceptionalism that has echoed through four centuries of national discourse. At 102mm — over four inches in diameter — this is an exceptionally large medal, providing an extraordinary canvas for detailed historical imagery and inscriptions. The 102mm format was reserved for the most important commemorative occasions and would have required specially prepared dies and presses. Medallic Art Company's production of a medal at this scale demonstrates the firm's capacity for large-format striking that few other medal manufacturers could match. The Massachusetts Bay Tercentenary was a major national event, and this medal ranks among the largest and most impressive commemoratives MACO produced during the interwar period.

Rarity Notes

Bronze, 102mm. Medallic Art Co. NY. Exceptionally large format. Massachusetts Bay Tercentenary is a significant historical commemoration. Limited production at this diameter. Scarce.

Cross References

PCGS #898149