1969 Bronze Medal California Bicentennial 63mm Medallic Art Co., NY

Coin Details

Description

This 63mm bronze medal produced in 1969 by Medallic Art Company of New York commemorates the California Bicentennial, marking the 200th anniversary of the Spanish colonization of California in 1769. The bicentennial celebrations honored the expedition led by Gaspar de Portola and the establishment of the first missions by Father Junipero Serra, which began the European settlement of what would become the most populous state in the Union. The 63mm diameter provides an impressive canvas for designs celebrating California's history and heritage. The bronze composition made this bicentennial medal accessible to the broadest audience of collectors and participants in the celebrations. California's bicentennial occurred during a period of tremendous social and cultural change in the state, as the counterculture movement, the environmental movement, and the technology revolution were all transforming California's identity. Medallic Art Company's bicentennial medal captures the commemorative spirit of 1969, when California was simultaneously looking back two centuries to its founding and forward to its role as the engine of American innovation and cultural evolution.

Rarity Notes

Bronze, 63mm. Medallic Art Co. NY. California Bicentennial. State anniversary medals were produced in moderate quantities. The large format is a premium offering.

Cross References

PCGS #918538